Dental Assistant Career Training – Pacific Union College

Advance Your

Registered Dental Assistant

Career

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WHAT DOES A
REGISTERED DENTAL
ASSISTANT DO

IMPORTANT
INFORMATION

JOB
POSSIBILITIES

CERTIFICATION
INFORMATION

PAYMENT
OPTIONS

14 WEEKS

PROGRAM LENGTH

RDA

CERTIFICATIONS

$4,000.00*

Pay in full

TUITION

ISSUING AUTHORITY

*You can pay as little as $262 per month. For full payment options and different financing plans, including interest rates from external lenders, please talk to our enrollment team.

ADD TO CART

WHAT DOES A REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT DO?

An integral part of a successful dental practice, dental assistants aid the in-office dentist or dental hygienist by performing a variety of tasks throughout a patient’s visit.

Present at each stage of the appointment, the responsibilities of a dental assistant vary greatly and can range from pre-appointment clerical work such as greeting patients, scheduling future appointments, and gathering dental history to more hands-on duties like performing x-rays or creating laboratory molds.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Conducting follow-up calls
Creating dental molds
Diagnostic testing
Maintaining dental equipment and tools
Performing x-rays
Providing aftercare instructions
Recording dental history

Where Does A Registered Dental Assistant Work?

Almost all dental assistants work in dentists’ offices.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED

Web browser with internet connection

Course registration & payment

Training Materials Provided

Expert-led video based training

Competency assessments

National Certification exam fee

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

Outcomes

The demand for Registered Dental Assistants will continue to experience significant growth and, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to rise by around 11% by 2030.

Dental assistants can expect to earn a starting salary of between $19,000 and $45,000
Graduates of the dental assistant program will have acquired the skills necessary to work in a wide range of healthcare settings
Dental Assistant students will complete the program with a thorough understanding of dental anatomy and physiology, infection control, and radiation safety

Skills Learned

Upon completion of our dental assistant program you’ll learn a number of skills, including:

Recognize proper infection control procedures, hand washing, sterilization of equipment, disinfection of operatories, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), per Standard and Universal precautions
Identify important head, neck, and oral anatomy related to patient care, including anomalies, and radiographic landmarks
Demonstrate essential dental assisting skills needed for patient preparation, measurement of vital signs, and four-handed dentistry as well as the dental assistant’s role in medical emergencies
Classify clinical tools, techniques, and materials used in four-handed dentistry
Discuss tooth numbering systems, dental charting, and scheduling patients according to treatment plan
Explain informed consent and patient education including oral hygiene instruction and post-treatment care
Ensure HIPAA, OSHA, FDA, and EPA compliance and follow CDC recommendations as applicable to protected health information, infection control, radiation safety, workplace safety, and controls and documentation
Apply operator and patient radiation safety principles and address patient safety concerns
Demonstrate basic knowledge of radiology, including guidelines, regulations, and quality assurance in radiographic imaging and mounting

COURSES - 14 WEEKS
Professionalism in Allied Health
Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings
Dental Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology
Dental Assisting Essentials
Radiation Health and Safety in Dentistry

PROGRAM PREVIEW

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT JOB POSSIBILITIES

Laboratory Assistant

$26,000 – $49,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Dental Assistant

$19,000 – $45,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Dental Sales Representative

$22,000 – $72,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) credential is awarded by the private certification organization, American Medical Technologists (AMT), and taken in addition to any state licensing or regulatory requirements.

RDA

Registered
Dental Assistant

The purpose of this exam is to demonstrate entry-level competence in basic dental assisting duties; it does not qualify candidates for any advanced procedures or expanded functions in the role of dental assisting.

PLEASE NOTE: This program does not qualify for Dental Assistant licensing in the state of Montana. Each state’s dental board implements rules and regulations for delegating legally allowable duties to dental assistants. Passing the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam only conveys authority to perform these duties in those states that recognize these exams or this certification as meeting state dental assisting requirements.

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT PAYMENT OPTIONS

In addition to the following payment options, we offer special corporate volume pricing. Visit the Corporate page for details.

Credit Card

Pay in full using any major credit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Select “credit card” as your payment option.

Short-Term Loan

Apply for PayPal Credit and pay zero interest if your balance is paid in full within 6-months. Complete a quick application and you’ll receive a credit decision within seconds.

Long-Term Loan

Pay for your training with an education loan through Sallie Mae or Meritize.

Complete the course registration process to reserve your seat using one of these options.

Employer Assistance

Many employers have education programs or will pay for continued education! Select “Corporate Invoice” if you need an invoice to process payment through company training tuition assistance/reimbursement plans.

Download the free brochure below to your HR representative or manager and show them the benefits of gaining additional education!

Sonoma County Job Link

Apply for a workforce grant through Sonoma County Job Link and get all or part of your training paid for! Complete the course registration process on this site to reserve your seat. Select “WIOA” as your payment option.

ADD TO CART

DO YOU NEED HELP PAYING FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?

Many employers offer education assistance programs. Download the brochures to show your employer the benefit of upskilling their employees.

PROGRAM COMPARISONS

	PACIFIC UNION COLLEGE	COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Program & Tuition Cost	$5,000 average	Up to $20,000
Exam Fees, Books & Materials	Included	Up to $750
Job Ready In	3–6 months	24–48 months
Schedule Flexibility	On-demand 24/7	Set class schedule
Travel Requirements	None: 100% online	On-campus classrooms
Student Support	Personal Advisors: text, call and email access	Professors: scheduled office hours
Career Coaching	Exam-tailor + soft-skill training to build well-rounded careers	Exam-based + prerequisites and electives to meet credit
Content Delivery	3D animations, immersive environments, interactive activities, game-based learning	Professor lectures

MEET YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST!

April is your Professional Development Specialist. She is here to help you understand your program of interest, payment options and succeed! Get in touch with April to learn more about your program, The Center for Professional Development with Pacific Union College and how to achieve your professional goals!

FAQ

What are the skills a dental assistant should possess?

Top skills a dental assistant should possess include great communication, listening, attention to details, dexterity, organization, basic computer knowledge, and passion for helping patients

What are the responsibilities of a dental assistant?

Dental assistant responsibilities include assisting with and providing direct patient care, sterilizing instruments, taking impressions, exposing dental X-rays from dental diagnostics, and performing office management tasks. While working under the direction of a dentist, assistants may perform a variety of tasks such as coronal polishing, sealant application, fluoride application, and topical anesthetic application.

What is a typical workday for a dental assistant?

Many dental assistants will tell you that there is no typical day because every day brings something different. Depending on where you work, you may perform many tasks including providing care to patients, setting up for dental procedures, and running the front office. Your responsibilities very much depend on the dentist you work for.

What's the typical schedule of a dental assistant?

You can work full-time or part-time as a dental assistant. Your position specifics and working hours will be determined by both your needs and the needs of your employer. Dental assistants can choose to work at one office or multiple offices to accommodate their personal schedule.

What's the difference between a dental assistant and a dental hygienist?

Dental assistants check-in the patient and prepare them for their appointment while a dental hygienist works directly with the patient to clean their teeth and check their mouth for any dental hygiene issues.

Interested In Another Program?

The Center for Professional Development at Pacific Union College located in Angwin, California, provides the highest quality training in order to best serve students and surrounding communities. Our specialized career training programs provide up-to-date and in-demand skills, preparation and certification, ensuring that everyone who completes our programs is of the highest caliber.

View Pacific Union's Degree Programs

In addition to our certificate programs, The Center for Professional Development at Pacific Union College offers traditional college degrees with more than 100 academic options. View our degrees.

Investing In A Pacific Union College Degree

Investing in a college degree is an important decision. Pacific Union College’s traditional degrees offer financial aid options for students. Learn more about our student finance options.

HEALTHCARE

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

HEALTHCARE

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

HEALTHCARE

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

HEALTHCARE

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Advance Your

Registered Dental Assistant

Career

WHAT DOES A REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT DO

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

JOB POSSIBILITIES

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

PAYMENT OPTIONS

14 WEEKS

PROGRAM LENGTH

RDA

CERTIFICATIONS

$4,000.00*

Pay in full

TUITION

ISSUING AUTHORITY

WHAT DOES A REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT DO?

Where Does A Registered Dental Assistant Work?

Requirements

Training Materials Provided

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

Outcomes

Skills Learned

PROGRAM PREVIEW

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT JOB POSSIBILITIES

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

RDA

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT PAYMENT OPTIONS

DO YOU NEED HELP PAYING FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?​

Many employers offer education assistance programs. Download the brochures to show your employer the benefit of upskilling their employees.

PROGRAM COMPARISONS

MEET YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST!

FAQ

Interested In Another Program?

View Pacific Union's Degree Programs

Investing In A Pacific Union College Degree

WHAT DOES A
REGISTERED DENTAL
ASSISTANT DO

IMPORTANT
INFORMATION

JOB
POSSIBILITIES

CERTIFICATION
INFORMATION

PAYMENT
OPTIONS

DO YOU NEED HELP PAYING FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?