Prepare for the Certified Dental Assistant Exam Online
Prepare for a career in dental assisting with comprehensive online training—no previous experience required.
This course covers the essential areas of professional dental assisting, including anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care and communication, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, and specialty dental practices. You will also gain real-world insights from experienced dental assistants and learn strategies for beginning your career.
The course also introduces computerized clinical dental records using Dentrix Practice Management software.
Upon completion, you will be prepared to take the Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology; Infection Control; and Radiation Health and Safety portions of the Dental Assisting National Board examinations. These exams apply toward the NELDA and CDA certifications. Additional requirements apply.
Eligible students may also apply to participate in ed2go’s optional Clinical Experience support program.
Job Outlook for Clinical Dental Assistants
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for dental assistants was $46,540 in May 2023. The highest 10% earned more than $61,060 annually.
Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 7% through 2032, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Approximately 55,100 job openings are projected each year over that period.
Course Objectives
Upon completing this course, you should be able to:
- Describe the roles of dental team members and 12 dental specialties.
- Explain the legal and ethical requirements of dental assisting, including HIPAA.
- Explain deciduous and permanent dentition and their functions in dental anatomy and pathology.
- Describe the chain of infection, transmission routes, infection-control practices, and applicable OSHA regulations.
- Summarize the dental assistant’s role in pharmacology, nutrition, daily patient interactions, and emergency situations.
- Describe the use, care, and preparation of dental instruments.
- Identify the necessary components of a patient record before dental charting.
- Use charting techniques to identify dental restorations and disease.
- Explain how to prepare equipment for anesthesia and sedation.
- Describe clinical methods used to help prevent dental disease.
- Explain the process for producing high-quality traditional and digital radiographs.
- Describe dental materials, their uses, and the skills needed to work with them.
- Explain the dental assistant’s role in pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry.
- Describe the communication and business practices needed to support a dental office.
- Identify transferable technical and professional skills and prepare a résumé for a dental assisting position.
Prerequisites and Certification Requirements
There are no prerequisites to complete this course. However, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to sit for national certification examinations.
To become a Certified Dental Assistant, candidates must meet the Dental Assisting National Board’s eligibility requirements and pass all three components of the CDA examination:
- Radiation Health and Safety
- Infection Control
- General Chairside Assisting
Candidates pursuing the work-experience pathway must complete at least 3,500 hours of approved dental assisting experience over a two- to four-year period.
Course completion does not, by itself, result in CDA certification.
Optional Clinical Experience
Students may apply for ed2go’s optional Clinical Experience support program after completing at least 80% of the course. Students have up to six months after completing the course to apply.
Clinical experiences are currently based on a 300-hour commitment. Students who satisfy the educational, prescreening, and industry requirements will be considered for placement based on host-site availability.
Applicants may be required to:
- Pass a background check and drug screening
- Purchase professional liability insurance, typically $40 to $45 for an annual policy
- Submit an updated résumé and cover letter
- Hold current CPR certification
- Provide proof of Hepatitis B vaccination or a recent negative Hepatitis B test
- Provide any additional vaccination records required by the state or host dental clinic
Clinical experience placement is not guaranteed. Students must successfully complete the online course and keep their account balance up to date to qualify for the application process.
Voucher Information
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive vouchers for the following Dental Assisting National Board examinations:
- Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology
- Infection Control
- Radiation Health and Safety
These exams satisfy all three examination requirements for the NELDA certification and two of the three examination requirements for the CDA certification.
Students pursuing CDA certification must also pass the General Chairside Assisting examination. The General Chairside Assisting exam is not included in this voucher package.
Exam vouchers provide prepaid access to take the included examinations after all applicable eligibility requirements have been met.
Clinical Dental Assistant FAQs
What is a clinical dental assistant?
Clinical dental assistant duties vary by dental office and state. Typical responsibilities include preparing patients for treatment, sterilizing instruments, providing oral hygiene instructions, passing instruments to the dentist, maintaining treatment records, scheduling appointments, and processing X-rays.
How long does it take to become a clinical dental assistant?
Many clinical dental assistant training programs can be completed in one year or less. This does not include time spent gaining clinical or work experience or completing additional certification requirements.
What are the requirements to become a Certified Dental Assistant?
Candidates must meet the Dental Assisting National Board’s eligibility requirements and pass the Radiation Health and Safety, Infection Control, and General Chairside Assisting components of the CDA examination.
Candidates using the work-experience pathway must also complete at least 3,500 hours of approved dental assisting experience.
What hours do clinical dental assistants work?
Most dental assistants work full-time schedules of approximately 40 hours per week, although part-time positions are also available. Depending on the dental office, assistants may work during the day, in the evening or on weekends.
Where do clinical dental assistants work?
Most clinical dental assistants work in dental offices under the supervision of dentists. Some may also work in government facilities or physicians’ offices.
Dental assistants work closely with dentists and dental hygienists. They may spend much of the day standing and wear masks, protective eyewear, gloves, and protective clothing to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
What is the difference between a clinical and administrative dental assistant?
An administrative dental assistant focuses primarily on office responsibilities, such as greeting patients, collecting information, completing forms, organizing records, and performing other clerical tasks.
A clinical dental assistant works more directly with dentists, dental hygienists, and patients. Responsibilities may include preparing treatment areas, sterilizing instruments, charting, taking vital signs, and processing radiographs.
What is the difference between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist?
Both dental assistants and dental hygienists play important roles in a dental office. Dental hygienists have additional education and a broader scope of practice, with greater involvement in preventive care and patient assessment.
Dental assistants support dentists and hygienists during procedures and help with patient care and office operations. Dental assisting may offer lower barriers to entry for individuals beginning a career in dentistry.
Instructor
Priscilla Garcia
Priscilla Garcia, RDA, CPP, is a dental professional with more than 20 years of industry experience. She began her career as a chairside dental assistant in 2002 and has worked in both clinical and administrative roles in general and specialty dental practices.
Garcia began teaching dental assisting part-time at Collin College in 2016. She transitioned to full-time teaching and dental assisting program management in 2017.
Registration and Enrollment
This course is 100% online, and students may begin at any time.
NATIONAL ENTRY LEVEL DENTAL ASSISTANT, NELDA, CERTIFIED DENTAL ASSISTANT, CDA, and DANB are trademarks of the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. This course is not reviewed or endorsed by DANB.
Students must successfully complete the online course and maintain an up-to-date account balance to qualify for the clinical experience application process. Completing the application process does not guarantee placement. Placement depends on student eligibility and host-site availability.