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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 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.   

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

For information about Traineeship opportunities at the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS), visit https://www.ndcs.com.sg/careers/sponsorships to register your interest or contact NDCS directly.

General queries, please contact Ms Renee Ang at ang_renee@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 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

Career Opportunities

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