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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. 

This programme equips you with the necessary skills, knowledge, and professional attributes to provide effective patient care. Dental 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 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: March 2025 (subject to meeting minimum class size).
  • Online Applications open in mid-December, coinciding with the release of N Level results. 
Important Note
  1. Course placement is dependent on applicants securing full-time employment and sponsorship from NDCS / Participating Dental Clinics.
  2. All participating clinics require a post-training bond (12 to 24 months).
  3. Applicants might be required to attend pre-employment dexterity tests and/or work trial to confirm suitability for the job.   

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 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:


Dental Clinics looking to hire and sponsor N/O-Level graduates, or sponsor existing employee(s) – please contact Mr Jerry Choo at nitec@sda.org.sg

General queries, please contact Ms Renee Ang at ang_renee@ite.edu.sg

Career Opportunities

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