Houston native following his ideal career path
Benjamin Esquivel, 29, has been named the 2024–2025 Dental Assistant Student of the Year at Dakota County Technical College. Ben is earning his Dental Assistant diploma and has 3.47 GPA. On track to graduate from DCTC this August, Ben took part in the 2025 DCTC Commencement Ceremony at TCO Stadium this past May.
“When they announced that I was chosen, it was unexpected because I had gotten so caught up with it being the end of the semester and many exams coming up,” Ben said, regarding his selection as Dental Assistant Student of the Year. “Once I realized my name was mentioned, I felt like I made the people who supported me proud.”
Ben started working as a dental assistant at Pacific Dental Services in September 2023. He is completing his Dental Assistant program externship at Pacific Dental and works anywhere from 25 to 40 hours a week, including Saturdays, during the school year.
Ben completed a B.S. in Church Ministries at Christ Mission College in San Antonio, Texas, in 2019. He is fluent in both English and Spanish. He is considering continuing his education after DCTC in the X-ray/radiography field. He is centering his career objectives on dental assisting. “And maybe a side job to keep me busy,” he added.
More about Ben…
Ben at 2025 DCTC Commencement Ceremony at TCO Stadium
Shadow
Ben is originally from Houston, Texas, and most of his family lives there. “I moved to Minnesota with my girlfriend, Alegria, and her dog, Shadow, a blue heeler, husky, German shepherd mix,” Ben said. “He loves to eat snow and slide on frozen lakes. Alegria also works as a dental assistant.”
In his free time, Ben enjoys hiking, movies—thrillers and comedies the most, music, traveling, going out, and driving long distances. “I like finding hidden gems throughout Minnesota like waterfalls and small parks with light hiking trails near work, so I can have a lunch break away from there. I also like trying new foods and drinks, cooking once in a while, and working out when I can.”
Ben, Alegria, and Shadow reside in Woodbury.
Benjamin Esquivel life gallery
Benjamin Esquivel • Q & A
Ben Esquivel
What motivated you to enroll in the Dental Assistant program at DCTC?
Previous students who are my coworkers, a friend, my girlfriend, Alegria, and my dentists.
What have you enjoyed most about the Dental Assistant program so far?
The educational part and how it is important for everyone to know about the mouth-body connection. It also keeps my mind busy learning new material, daily. I have a tendency to get bored quickly when a job is too mundane.
What advice would you give students thinking about pursuing a career as a dental assistant?
There’s plenty of opportunity! It’s flexible, social and a great way to see if you have any interest in pursuing a career in healthcare.
Three words that describe you as a Dental Assistant student:
LEARNER. ACHIEVER. GOAL-DRIVEN.
What do like best about your role as a dental assistant?
The flexibility and social engagement with patients and people with stories to tell. Sometimes the patients get excited to see me as their assistant.
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
Not entirely sure. However, I am thankful for my parents allowing me to venture out in life after sharing with me the skills and experiences they have had. Over the years, after getting to know people and choosing who I want in my life. I have seen myself more influenced by my friends and their support. Genuineness goes a long way.
If you could make one thing happen on Earth right now, what would it be?
For the aurora borealis to appear more often for everyone.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
UNIQUE
Benjamin Esquivel • 12 Answers
- Favorite sport or physical activity: Working out, hiking
Place you would most like to visit: Nigeria- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: Firewalking
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) Pay off any family debts 2) Travel 3) Go back to school
- Best book or movie you’ve read or seen lately: Companion and Heretic are my two most recent favorite movies [great choices; Sophie Thatcher!]
- Time period you would explore if you could time travel: 1990s and 2000s they had the best vibes and to experience Y2K
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: To be well off and wealthy in my own way in order to provide for others, whether family or charity
Your national bird if you were your own country: A hawk- Dream occupation: Something humanitarian and independent
- Person you would most like to meet: Nathan Fielder
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Swimming
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Lack of genuineness and honesty
Learn more about the Dental Assistant program at DCTC by contacting:
Admissions
admissions@dctc.edu
651-423-8266
Room 2-110
More about the Dental Assistant program…
This is a high-demand program: APPLY EARLY.
Contact Admissions for more information.
The Dental Assistant program at DCTC provides you with the essential skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in the dental field. You will be prepared to effectively assist dental professionals in patient care. The program’s curriculum combines theoretical education with hands-on training to develop expertise in areas such as:
- Patient care management
- Infection control
- Radiography
- Dental materials
- Office procedures
- Assisting with dental treatments
- Including expanded functions delegated by the Minnesota Board of Dentistry
As a Dental Assistant program graduate, you will be prepared to work in various dental settings. The program also prepares you for certification exams, including the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and the Jurisprudence exam through the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
To become a Licensed Dental Assistant in Minnesota, you are required to complete a CODA-accredited dental assistant program, pass all sections of the Certified Dental Assistant exam, pass the Jurisprudence exam, and submit a licensure application to the Minnesota Board of Dentistry.
Employment in this field typically requires successful completion of the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) licensing exams.
Awards
Dental Assistant A.A.S. degree: 60 credits
Dental Assistant diploma: 40 creditsAccreditation
The Dental Assistant program at DCTC is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association.
LEARN MORE…
Dental Assistants
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
Dental Assistants is a Bright Outlook Occupation.
Reported job titles
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
- Certified Registered Dental Assistant
- Dental Assistant (DA), Expanded Dental Assistant
- Expanded Duty Dental Assistant (EDDA)
- Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA)
- Oral Surgery Assistant
- Orthodontic Assistant (Ortho Assistant)
- Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
- Surgical Dental Assistant
Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings. See all 3 Hot Technologies for this occupation.
In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation. See all 1 In Demand skills for this occupation.
WAGES
Minnesota
Workers on average earn $64,630.
10 percent of workers earn $48,450 or less.
10 percent of workers earn $74,930 or more.United States
Workers on average earn $47,300.
10 percent of workers earn $36,190 or less.
10 percent of workers earn $61,780 or more.2024 Wage Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Trends: Minnesota
Employment (2022): 5,950 employees
Projected employment (2032): 6,320 employees
Projected growth (2022–2032): 6 percent
Projected annualjob openings (2022–2032): 880Occupational Trends: United States
Employment (2023): 376,500 employees
Projected employment (2033): 408,000 employees
Projected growth(2023–2033): 8 percent — faster than average
Projected annual job openings (2023–2033): 54,900Visit O*NET OnLine for comprehensive information about the occupation:
Dental AssistantsSOURCE: O*NET OnLine: Dental Assistants
