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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: March 2026

         For individuals:

     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.