Pathway I: Qualified Dental Assistant (QDA): Dentist Sponsored (full course)


ID : 32939   

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Non-Credit Career Pathway Course

Bismarck State College's Qualified Dental Assistant (QDA) course offers a comprehensive, self-paced online curriculum designed specifically for North Dakota students. A QDA is a vital role in supporting dental professionals and ensuring excellent patient care. Our program is fully aligned with the North Dakota Board of Dental Examiners (NDBDE) standards, ensuring a high-quality training. Complete the course in as little as six weeks through an affiliated dental clinic to start gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to excel as a dental assistant!

Eligibility for this course requires employment and sponsorship by a dental office. The minimum age of 18 years old is required.

Course Outline:
Module 1: Infection Control (ICE)
  • Prevention of disease transmission
  • Use of PPE and barriers
  • Instrument processing and sterilization 
  • Disinfection protocols and surface management
  • OSHA and CDC compliance
  • Waste disposal and exposure control plans
Module 2: Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP)
  • Head, neck and oral cavity structures
  • Salivary glands, sinuses, and nerve pathways
  • Classification systems and anomalies
  • Skeletal and muscular systems
Module 3: Radiation Health and Safety (RHS)
  • Radiation physics and biological effects
  • ALARA principles and patient/operator protection
  • Radiographic techniques and positioning 
  • Image interpretation and error correction radiography
  • Legal and ethical standards in radiography 

The course commitment includes didactic self-paced, online learning consisting of up to 144 hours and a 300-hour chairside experience requirement set forth by the NDBDE to be completed within a one year period. Chairside hours must be fulfilled through the sponsoring dental office/dentist.

Most assignments and submissions are graded on a Pass/Fail basis. There are designated exams at the end of each course module (ICE, AMP, RHS) that require a competency-based grade. Each of these exams must be passed with a score of 80% or higher. Comprehension and mastery of this material are critical to student success and patient safety.

Tuition includes online access only. Students are responsible for purchasing the book (e-book or hardcopy) from the BSC Bookstore and any host clinic requirements such as scrubs, shoes, and lab jacket. Students must inquire with the host clinic for specific chairside experience uniform expectations and supplies.

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students will receive a certificate of completion that may be used as documentation of having completed a board-approved equivalent course. This certificate can be submitted to the NDBDE when applying for licensure as a Qualified Dental Assistant (QDA) in the state of North Dakota.
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Class Details

0 Session(s)

Location
Blackboard

Instructor
Mikala Wegner 

Start Date:upon registration

 

Notice

Please read: 

Essential Requirements of the course include:
  • A minimum age requirement of 18 years old
  • No high school diploma/GED is required
  • Computer or tablet for online learning
  • Students may complete the didactic portion and the 300-hour chairside experience simultaneously.
  • Proof of immunizations and results may be required 10 business days prior to the start of the chairside experience. Students will be required to adhere to the policies of the facility of their externship.

    These are not BSC requirements, but requirements of the host clinic. Clinical affiliation policies should be obtained directly through the host clinic and reviewed by students for full details and exemption allowances.

    BSC cannot guarantee an exemption request will be granted. Exemption requests must be inquired upon and are subject to review and approval by the host clinic.

    TB testing, seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are provided by Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health or the UND Center for Family Medicine.

    Temporary or permanent conditions limiting the ability to perform the essential student requirements must be communicated to the program coordinator.

Fee: 

$1,250.00

Registration Closes On
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 @ 11:59 PM

Schedule Information

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s) Instructional Method
N/A - Online Mikala Wegner  Online

Other Class Offerings

Pathway II: Qualified Dental Assistant (QDA): Non-Dentist Sponsored (full course)
ID: 32940

StartDate: upon registration

Self-Paced

Location
Blackboard

Instructor
Mikala Wegner

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