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Overview

Course Duration

12 months

Type of course

Traineeship

Campus where course is offered

Others

Course Certification

Nitec

 

This 12-month course, conducted by ITE Approved Training Centres (Singapore Dental Association and National Dental Centre Singapore), prepares you for a career as a Dental Assistant / Dental Surgery Assistant.

 This programme equips you with the necessary skills, knowledge, and professional attributes to provide effective patient care. Dental Assistants / Dental Surgery Assistants support dentists by providing chairside assistance, preparing patients, mixing materials, and offering oral health education in dental clinics. 

The course combines:

  • Full-time work: On-the-job training at dental clinics, completing a standard list of skills.
  • Part-time study: Off-the-job training at NDCS, including theory, practical lessons and assessments. Conducted on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings (6pm – 9pm) for the entire duration of the 12 months programme.
Prerequisite
  • Meet academic qualification requirements.
  • Secure employment and course sponsorship with NDCS /participating Dental Clinics.
  • Singapore Citizen and Permanent Residents only.
Application Process

       Next intake:

  • Information for 2026 intake will be published here from December 2025   

     For individuals:

  • This programme requires full-time employment and sponsorship with National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS). Whether you are a fresh GCE 'N' or 'O' Level graduate or exploring a career switch, visit NDCS's careers portal: www.ndcs.com.sg/careers/sponsorships

For Dental Clinics:

  • Interested in sponsoring your current employees? contact Mr Jerry Choo at nitec@sda.org.sg 
Important Note

For individuals:

  • Course placement requires securing full-time employment and sponsorship from national Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS)
  • Selection process may include dexterity tests and work trial period to assess job suitability
  • NDCS sponsorship includes:
    • 1 year of training while employed at NDCS
    • Followed by a 2-year post-training bond with NDCS
    • Total commitment: 3 years full-time employment with NDCS

    For current Full-Time Dental Employees:

  • Existing staff may be sponsored by their dental clinic

  • Please refer to the Application Process section above for details

For other course-related enquiries, please e-mail: ibt@ite.edu.sg

What you'll learn

  • Set up the instrument tray
  • Prepare the patient for treatment
  • Mix the dental material when required
  • Act as chaperon and witness for consent and procedures performed
  • Sterilise and disinfect the instruments
  • Assist in dental X-ray taking, procedures and perform dental charting
  • Assist in the prevention and management of dental emergencies
  • Perform administrative duties and maintain clinic inventory
  • Record patient information and health histories
  • Give oral health education and post-operative instructions

Entry Requirements

SubjectGrade
GCE ‘O’ level grades in any 2 subjects1 – 8
or
GCE ‘N’ level Passes in English Language and
2 other subjects		A – D or 1 – 5

Entry requirements for in-service workers nominated by employers (dental clinics):

  • Relevant full-time work experience
  • Strong employer endorsement
  • Equivalent N/O level qualifications, or Workplace Literacy and Numeracy (WPLN) at the following levels:

-        Reading Level 4

-        Listening Level 5

-        Speaking Level 5

-        Writing Level 4

-        Numeracy Level 4

Progression Opportunities

Nitec in Dental Assisting graduates with a minimum GPA of 2.0 may apply for progression to the following Work-Study Diploma courses at ITE:

Career Opportunities

Graduates from Nitec in Dental Assisting can look forward to employment opportunities in the industry as Dental Assistants.