In most dental facilities, the working conditions are excellent, the surroundings are pleasant, and performing a needed service to people is satisfying and rewarding. According to the Department of Labor's Career InfoNet, the average dental assistant earned about $19.00 per hour in the Bay Area, many with benefits. Certified dental assistants earn even more.
What can I do with a dental assisting certificate/degree?
While most dental assistants find employment in dental offices, opportunities for employment also exist in clinics and hospitals, insurance agencies, dental x-ray laboratories and supply houses.
The dental assisting program provides an excellent path for those interested in a variety of positions in the dental field. With training from the program, students can choose a profession as a dental technician, a small business owner in the dental field, a marketing agent for a commercial laboratory, or a sales representative for a dental supplier. Dental assisting students can also choose to continue their education to become a dental hygienist or a dentist.
Selected courses may meet lower division requirements for the bachelor of vocational education at selected campuses of CSU or the bachelor of arts degree in health administration in private universities. Interested students should consult with their instructor or with the college counselors for more information.
When are classes offered?
The required dental assisting program courses are taught only in the day, however the general education courses required for the certificate may be taken in the evening or at an alternate location.
How long will it take to earn a certificate/degree?
The 10-month program is scheduled to begin each fall semester (August) and the Dental Assisting courses should be completed in a two semesters sequence (Fall-Spring). The required nine units of General Education requirements may be completed prior to enrollment or concurrently during the 10 month program of study, but must be completed prior to applying to take the state licensing examination. To be eligible for enrollment in the dental assisting program, students must complete the specified prerequisite course DENTL 120 (6 hours), which is offered in the first two weeks of June. Associate degree requirements can generally be completed in two years of full-time study.
