Dental Assistant Certificate

In this online Dental Assistant Certificate program, you’ll study at your own pace with support from interactive modules, virtual labs, 24/7 mentoring and career resources. The course introduces you to both the clinical and administrative sides of dental assisting, preparing you for the responsibilities of working in a dental practice.

Topics include:

• The dental assisting profession and history of dentistry
• Dental anatomy, tooth structure and oral cavity
• Infection control, sterilization and occupational safety
• Patient information, assessment and communication skills
• Dental radiology and coding of radiology services
• Clinical procedures including restorations, crowns, bridges, dentures and implants
• Dental equipment, handpieces, cements and impression materials
• Dental office administration and policies

This Dental Assistant Certificate program gives you the flexibility to learn online while accessing tools and support to help you succeed.

You’ll benefit from:

• 24/7 instructor support and course mentoring
• Interactive content with virtual labs, exercises, videos and simulations
• Collaboration with instructors and peers
• Online community and student services
• Pre- and post-course assessments with progress tracking
• Career resources through a secure student portal, including resume support and job guidance
• Opportunities for national and state certification
• A 40-hour clinical externship for hands-on experience

Cost: $1,399, payment plans available
Length: Up to 9 months (6 months access with possible 3-month extension)
Registration: Anytime.

Payment Plan

Health Ed Today offers 3-, 6- and 10-month payment plans.

You may choose to take part in an optional volunteer externship with a local organization in your field to gain hands-on experience. Externship sites may require additional documentation such as health records, immunizations, drug screening or background checks. After completing your program, you can contact the Health Ed Today Externship Coordinator at mentor@healthedtoday.com to arrange placement.

Dental assistants play an important role in helping dentists provide quality care to patients. They support both clinical and administrative tasks, including preparing treatment rooms, assisting during procedures, taking dental radiographs, managing patient records and scheduling appointments. Dental assistants work in a variety of settings such as private practices, community clinics and specialty offices, and demand for this profession continues to grow as access to dental care expands.

This program prepares you to sit for national certification exams that are essential for entry-level employment in dental assisting. These include:

• Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) – Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam
• DANB – Infection Control Exam (ICE)
• National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Dental Assistant Clinical Certification (DACC)

Many states require DANB-RHS certification to work in dental radiography. This course does not meet the California State Board licensing requirement for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA). In California, unlicensed dental assistants may work under the supervision of a licensed dentist, but additional requirements apply. Please check the Dental Board of California or your state’s licensing agency for details.

Create an SFSU ID and follow the email instructions to create an SFSU Password.

SFSU offers this course in partnership with Health Ed Today. Visit the Health Ed Today pre-registration page to enroll.

• Contact: For more information, advising and in-depth course questions, call (877) 261-1484
• General Information: Email cpagehealthceu@sfsu.edu