Certified dental assistant courses – What you need to know
Do you want to be a valued member of the dental healthcare system and work as a dental assistant? A dental assistant works alongside a dentist and other dental staff at the dental office. They help dentists provide high-quality care to patients, and they also interact directly with patients to make sure they are comfortable during procedures. To become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), you must complete a formal program, pass the certification exam, and become licensed in your state.
Role of a Dental Assistant at the Dental Office:
A certified dental assistant (CDA) is an important part of the dental healthcare team. The CDA performs many tasks, including patient care and office duties, and making sure that the patients feel comfortable before, during, and after dental procedures.
They are responsible for performing a variety of tasks:
- Prepare patients for treatment by washing and sterilizing instruments, setting up trays, preparing materials, or assisting the patient with oral hygiene.
- Sterilize instruments according to infection control procedures.
- Assist the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures.
- Administer and develop dental x-rays and other dental records.
- Instruct patients on postoperative and general oral health care.
- Managing the office, dealing with waste management, and dental scrap recycling.
Certified Dental Assistant Program
If you want to become a CDA, you need to complete any of the following certified dental assistant programs:
- Finish an accredited program at an educational institution that has been approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).
- Pass the National Board Dental Hygienist Exam, which is administered by the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Competency Assessment (CDCA).
- Earn a degree through an accredited program at an educational institution that has been approved by CODA.
An accredited certified dental assistant program covers hands-on training in all aspects of the profession, including:
- Introduction to dentistry
- Patient care and communication
- Basic chairside procedures
- Radiology and infection control
- Legal aspects of dentistry
- Dental office administration
To help you choose a dental assistant certification program, you need to consider what you want out of your experience. We’ve done some of the legwork for you and compiled a list of convenient certification programs, both economically and time-wise, to start your certified dental assistant career.
Certified dental assistant courses:
Course Description |
Tuition |
Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant Certificate offered by Lone Star College, a structured intense program with didactic and clinical practice. | $1,800 | Commission on Dental Accreditation |
| Dental Assisting & Radiology Training program – DANB RHS certification; offered at Howard community college where students will get ready for a new career as a Dental Assistant. | $2,200 | Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners |
| Hancock College Dental Assistant Program where a Student can gain knowledge and skill in office procedures, chairside practice, x-ray techniques, and specialty procedures. | $1,146 + certificate | Dental Board of California |
| Dental Assisting Program at Sacramento City College to become a Certified Dental Assistant, full-time day program. | est. $2,000 | Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association |
| Dental Assisting DAS.S.STC Program by Sinclair College, introduction to the fundamentals of working in a dental office as a chair-side dental assistant. | $2,150 | Commission on Dental Accreditation |
Certification courses for dental assistants:
If you already went through a program and became a CDA, it might be time for you to get a level higher by pursuing certification courses, as part of continuing education.
The certification examination will benefit you in your field as a dental assistant. If you are looking for growth in your professional and personal life, it may be a good time to begin a certification course. These courses help you improve your professional status at your workplace and lead to career growth and development, increased earnings, recognition in the dental community, and better opportunities for career advancement and mobility.
These are the top continuing education certifications for dental assistants:
- Coronal Polishing Certification: Aimed for dental assistants who will be able to make better use of their time in the operatory with the skills and knowledge acquired in this course. The certification course offered by OC Dental Academy requires you to have at least 1000 hours of service as a dental assistant in the clinical setting.
Tuition: $295 – Accreditation: California Dental Board approved
- Certified Restorative Functions Dental Assistant (CRFDA): Includes Impressions (IM), Sealants (SE), Temporaries (TMP), Restorative Functions (RF)
Tuition: $450 – Accreditation: Dental Assisting National Board
- Certified Preventive Functions Dental Assistant – DANB’s CPDA certification is made up of four component exams: Coronal Polish (CP), Sealants (SE), Topical Anesthetic (TA), and Topical Fluoride (TF).
Tuition: $450 – Accreditation: Dental Assisting National Board, American Dental Association
- Orthodontic Assistant Course: Aimed for dental assistants at the clinical setting who would like to specify their experience and job at a specific department like Orthodontics. Offered at Orange County dental.
Tuition: $1,195 – Accreditation: Dental Board of California
Financing your dental assistant certification
As we mentioned before, one of the important aspects of being a dental assistant is managing the office, and that includes waste management. Dental scrap recycling can become a great ally of yours when you become a certified dental assistant and want to pick up certification courses for career growth.
Did you know that dental scrap contains many precious metals for which you can get paid? And most dental offices don’t take into consideration the income that can be generated from recycling this scrap, so you could be the one benefiting from it to help pay off your dental assistant certification program.
Core Scientific is the leader of dental scrap recycling in the USA, bringing our customers the highest returns in the industry. Our clients experience a 2-5x increase in their payments when they start working with us because we are committed to a 100% transparency policy. Core Scientific pays you for the totality of the precious metals present in your dental scrap. We are endorsed by the American Association of Dental Office Management as their only recommended dental refiner.
You can request a free container now to collect your dental scrap and start making a profit, or you can contact us if you have any questions.
[…] Dental assistant training courses provide students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for entry-level employment as dental assistants in a variety of settings. Dental assistants are responsible for providing patient care under the supervision of a dentist or other licensed professional, such as an orthodontist or periodontist. […]