Dental Assistant

Prepare to start a dental career on your own schedule. Study to become a certified dental assistant with our online course plus 40-hour clinical externship.

Dental Assistant near dental machinery

Online Course

Take the course online, on your schedule

Dental assistant pulls down her mask and smiles at a patient

How to Register

How to start taking the online course

Dental assistant in scrubs in front of a dental chair

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Learn about the program

About the Program

What You Will Learn

The purpose of this online course is to familiarize students with all areas of administrative and clinical dental assisting, focusing on the responsibilities required to function as an assistant in a dental practice. This course covers the following key areas and topics:

  • Introduction to the dental office and history of dentistry and dental assisting
  • Legal aspects of dentistry including policies and guidelines
  • Introductory oral anatomy, dental operatory and dental equipment
  • Introductory tooth structure, including primary and permanent teeth
  • The oral cavity and related structures
  • Dental hand-pieces, sterilization and other areas

The Dental Assistant Profession and Employment

The Dental Assistant course prepares students for entry-level positions in one of the fastest growing healthcare professions – dental assisting. With the national increase in healthcare-related services and the national shortage of healthcare professionals, the need for dental assistants is growing substantially. With a growing workforce over 400,000 strong by the end of 2022, a career in dental assisting ranks as the fourth fastest growing occupation in the healthcare technician field.

Prepare for Certification

Students who complete this comprehensive course would be prepared to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) – Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam and the DANB – Infection Control Exam (ICE). In many states, DANB-RHS certification is required to work in dental radiography. In addition to facilitating entry-level administrative positions, this course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a future formal dental hygienist program.

This course does not meet California State Board Licensing requirement for Registered Dental Assistant (RD). In most circumstances, an unlicensed dental assistant in California may work under the supervision of a licensed dentist, providing basic assistance with dental procedures, but must meet other requirements. Please make sure you check the Dental Board of California or the state website in which you reside to understand the qualifications/requirements of a licensed or unlicensed dental assistant.

Cost and Length

Cost: $1,399
Length: Up to 9 months (6 months access with possible 3-month extension)
When to Start: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Payment Plan

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

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