Dental Assisting Program
Dental Assistants are important members of the dental team and work under the supervision of dentists. Sterilizing instruments and equipment, preparing materials and gathering patient dental records are all tasks performed by Dental Assistants.
"I went from being a receptionist to working full time as a Dental Assistant, and it's all because of American Career College. My ultimate goal is to become an Orthodontist, but for now, I really enjoy what I'm doing."
In our 10-month Dental Assistant program, you will practice a variety of procedures and techniques in a dental laboratory comparable to a modern dental facility. Our Dental Assisting program prepares you for both Coronal Polish Certification and Pit and Fissure Certification. In addition, we'll help you prepare for your California Radiation Safety Certification (limited to X-ray) and your Registered Dental Assistant practical and written examinations.
The Dental Assisting program, at both the LA and Orange County campuses, is approved by the Dental Board of California and the Dental Assisting program at the Ontario campus is provisionally approved, awaiting final approval (www.dbc.ca.gov).
Click here to contact an Admissions Advisor to learn more or call 877-832-0790 to learn more about our Dental Assisting program.
What will I be trained to do in this field?
Dental Assistants are critical members of the dental office team. Dentists rely on their assistants to perform a wide range of patient, clinical and laboratory procedures including X-rays, dental impressions and coronal polishing.
Dental Assistants are often the face of the office and work closely with patients to help them feel comfortable, teach them proper oral health care, and prepare them for their procedure. It’s hard to imagine a dentist’s office without the confident, welcoming smile of a skilled Dental Assistant.
What will I learn in the Dental Assisting program?
As a Dental Assisting student, you'll progress through a variety of modules including an externship:
- Introduction to the Health Care Professions
- Fundamentals of Dental Assisting
- Science of Dentistry
- Restorative Dentistry/Pharmacology
- Laboratory Procedures/Prosthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry/Orthodontics
- CPR/Preventative Dentistry
- Endodontics/Radiography
- Oral Surgery/Anesthetics
- Externship
Each module is designed to give you the appropriate background and teach proper Dental Assisting techniques. And since this is all about the real world, you'll finish your studies with an Externship. This final phase allows you to put it all together working with dentists, patients and other Dental Assistants in a real-world setting.
What are some career opportunities for graduates of Dental Assistant schools?
As a Dental Assistant, you may be able to work in a number of places such as:
- Public Health Facilities
- Hospital Dental Departments
- Dental Clinics
- Dental Suppliers
- Dentists’ Offices
- Orthodontists’ Offices
Whatever choice you make, rest assured that you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a full and rewarding career.
What's the career outlook?
Employment for this in-demand career is expected to grow by as much as 36% between 2008 and 2018.*
Start Dental Assisting training by pursuing our...
- Orange County Dental Assisting program
- Ontario Dental Assisting program
- Los Angeles Dental Assisting program
Program Information Disclosure
Approved by the Dental Board of California. Licensure is required if graduates seek to work as Registered Dental Assistants.
| O*Net Occupation Titles | Soc Code | Links to Occupational Profiles on O*Net |
| Dental Assistant, Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), Orthodontic Assistant, Certified Registered Dental Assistant, Oral Surgery Assistant, Surgical Dental Assistant | 31-9091.00 |
http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9091.00
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| On-time Completion Rate (2010/2011 Award Year) |
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| Los Angeles | Orange County | Ontario | Consolidated Rate |
| 25% | 48% | 43% | 38% |
| Placement Rate Reported to ABHES (2010/2011 Award Year) |
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| Los Angeles | Orange County | Ontario |
| 70% | 77% | 61% |
| Median Loan Debt (2010/2011 Award Year) |
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| Los Angeles | Orange County | Ontario | Consolidated Median Loan Debt | |
| Title IV HEA Programs: | $9,357.50 | $9,357.50 | $9,357.50 | $9,357.50 |
| Private Loans/Institutional Financing Plan: |
$335.00 | $405.00 | $375.00 | $336.00 |
Current Estimated Tuition and Fees: $17,067.50
To review the terms and definitions for the chart above, or to see the outcome information for ACC's other programs, and to view state disclosure information, visit: americancareercollege.edu/disclosures.
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11
Not all programs are offered at all locations.
Career Fact
Dental Assistants are expected to be among the fastest growing occupations in the 2008-2018 period.*
