Dental Assistant

Start Your Career as a Dental Assistant in California

11-Month* Dental Assistant Diploma Program in South Los Angeles, CA

Dental Assistants are the dentist’s sales representatives and are trained to provide the utmost customer service and highest quality of dental care for their patients. Dental Assistants are trained in the different dental instruments, equipment, and procedures to assist the dentist and explain the dentist’s instructions, helping patients feel at ease.

Healthcare Career College, located in Paramount, CA, serves dental assistant students in Long Beach, Compton, Lakewood, Downey, Bellflower, Norwalk, Cerritos, the greater Los Angeles area and north Orange County.

The best way to see if Healthcare Career College is the right fit for you is to attend an information session. You can book an information session to get a true feel for what it’s like to be a part of the Healthcare Career College community. Schedule an information session now or Get more info.

Dental Assistant Program Overview

11 Month* Diploma

  • 15% Job Growth Over Next 10 Years
  • Graduates hired by dental offices, hospitals, & public health centres
  • Advance into a Dental Hygienist, Dental Lab Tech, Dentist and much more!

* Program length when completed in normal time

Become a Skilled Dental Assistant

During this program, you will learn to:

  • Sterilize and disinfect dental instruments
  • Set up instrument trays
  • Prepare materials
  • Assist dentists during procedures
  • Take dental x-rays
  • Record treatment information in patient records
  • Take and record medical and dental histories and vital signs of patients
  • Provide postoperative instructions prescribed by dentists
  • Assist dentist in management of medical and dental emergencies
  • Pour, trim and polish study casts
  • Instruct patients in oral hygiene and plaque control programs
  • Make preliminary impressions for study casts and occlusal registrations for mounting study casts
  • Clean and polish removable appliances
  • Procedure and Diagnostic Coding

Is a Career as a Dental Assistant Right for You? Take the Healthcare Career College 'Dental Assistant Career Training Readiness Quiz'

This fun, online quiz takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get Your Healthcare Career Training Readiness score now.

Diploma Features:

  • Free certification Prep and Testing
  • Electronic Dental Records Training
  • Microsoft Office Training
  • Externship included

Job Outlook:

  • Opportunities in both customer service (front office) and clinical (back office) positions
  • Small and large organizations hiring
  • Employment growth of 15.3% from 2018 & 2028 in California**
  • Career growth potential
  • Certification is accepted nationally
What made me enroll to HCC was the thought of being part of the health field. I chose the dental field because the career is more of hands-on work. My experience as a student and extern sites were great. My advice to other students that want to join the Dental field is working in the Dental field offers you multiple positions to work for in the office.
Richey A., Dental Assistant Graduate

Dental Assistant Career Opportunities

  • Dental Assistant
  • Customer Service (front office)
  • Clinical Positions (back office)

Possible Job Duties:

  • Prepare materials for impressions and restorations
  • Take dental x-rays, and process the film as directed by a dentist
  • Remove sutures, apply topical anesthetics to gums or cavity-preventive agents to teeth
  • Remove excess cement used in the filling process
  • Place rubber dams on the teeth to isolate them for individual treatment

Median Pay: $23.89hour**

View Dental Assistant job postings in Paramount, CA on Indeed.com

Career Benefits of Becoming a Dental Assistant

Dental assistants are a vital part of the dental team, supporting dentists and hygienists. They help create a pleasant patient experience by performing administrative tasks and providing chairside assistance. You can become a valuable asset to any practice by joining an accredited dental program in California.

The rewards of being a dental assistant extend beyond just gaining experience and making a good salary. Here are a few benefits to look forward to:

  • Flexible Schedule – Depending on the practice’s needs, you can work part-time or full-time, with some offering nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Career Advancement – With the proper training, experience, and certifications, you may eventually become a dental hygienist, dental lab technician, or dentist.
  • Competitive Pay – California’s median annual wage for dental assistants was $46,060 as of 2021.

Certification Requirements for Dental Assistants in California

Certification is not required to become a dental assistant in California, but it is strongly encouraged. Getting certified is a great way to demonstrate your knowledge and skills, set yourself apart from other applicants, and show that you are serious about your career.

Most employers in California prefer to hire dental assistants with a valid certificate from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). This ensures that the dental assistant has met minimum standards in terms of education and experience.

Examination and Licensure Requirements

To become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in California, applicants must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. An accomplished RDA application form with the $120 application fee mailed to the Dental Board of California. As set out in Section 30(c) of the Business and Professions Code, the licensing board will only process an original application for licensure if the applicants submit their federal employer identification number or social security number.
  2. To satisfy the Dental Board of California, please produce written documentation that fulfills one of the following requirements:
    • An accomplished Certification of Board Approved Registered Dental Assisting Program Certificate (RDA2)
    • A copy of the official Dental Assisting Diploma/Certificate
    • A letter signed by the Program Director certifying completion of the RDA program. It must include the actual graduation date, be affixed with the school seal, and be written on stationery.
  3. To secure RDA licensure in California, applicants must submit evidence that they have satisfactorily finished Board-approved radiation safety and coronal polishing classes.
  4. Each applicant for RDA licensure must provide evidence of completing Board-approved courses in the California Dental Practice Act. This includes an 8-hour Infection Control course and basic life support training.
  5. Satisfactory performance on the Registered Dental Assisting Examination.
  6. Fingerprint clearances and background checks conducted by the Department of Justice and FBI.

Scope of Practice for Dental Assistants in California

Dental assistants must only perform tasks delegated to them by the dentist. Otherwise, they can face disciplinary action from the Dental Board of California. Typical duties of dental assistants in California include:

  • Setting up and preparing dental materials and instruments
  • Sterilizing, storing, and disposing of dental instruments
  • Assisting the dentist during patient examinations and treatments
  • Taking x-rays and impressions
  • Performing basic lab procedures, such as making temporary crowns or taking casts of teeth
  • Educating patients on oral hygiene
  • Recording patient medical and dental histories
  • Scheduling appointments and updating patient records

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Is a Rewarding Career in Dental Assisting Right for You? Get More Info…

If you’re interested in learning more about careers in Dental Assisting and exploring whether Healthcare Career College is right for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.

For immediate questions, call (562) 804-1239

*Program length when completed in normal time.

**Source: EDD/LMID Occupational Employment Statistics Survey 2021