The Dental Assisting Program is an intensive 10-month sequence of instruction. Graduates will qualify for the California State Registered Dental Assisting (RDA) Licensure Examination. Graduates are also eligible for the Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) Certification Exam administered by the Dental Assisting National Board Exam. The program offers a combination of lecture, laboratory, and clinical courses in general and specialty dental practices, as well as participation in externships at a local dental school, dental offices, and/or clinics. Students will also acquire valuable certification in infection control, dental practice act, coronal polishing, dental x-ray, and pit and fissure sealants as part of the program curriculum. Graduates are in demand and have many different types of job opportunities available to them.

Learn more about the program on the Dental Assisting website.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Graduates will demonstrate entry-level competency skills mandated by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the Dental Board of California.

- Graduates will value and implement proper radiation safety for patients, themselves, and others.

Career Opportunities

Graduates can have direct patient interaction by working as a chairside dental assistant in a general practice dental office or in any of the other specialty practices including periodontics, orthodontics, oral surgery, pedodontics (children's dentistry), endodontics and prosthodontics. In addition, dental assistants can work in the front office as a receptionist and/or office managers. Other job opportunities include public health educator or administrator, sales representative, continuing education coordinator and/or consultant.