Healthcare training

Dental Assistant Training

Learn what dental assistants do and how they do it: a semi-in-depth, practical course covering the role, vocabulary, common procedures, safety and career launch.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
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What you’ll learn in Dental Assistant training

A practical, general introduction to the dental assistant job: what the role involves, 15+ key terms, how to perform common tasks such as process and sterilize dental instruments and take bitewing x-rays, safety essentials and how to launch your career. Online, self-paced, about 8 hours, $74.99.

  • Tuition
    $74.99
    Volume pricing from 2 seats
  • Length
    8 hours
    10 modules
  • Format
    Online
    Self-paced, any device
  • Access
    12 months
    LMS access
  • Level
    Beginner
    To intermediate
  • You receive
    Certificate
    Of completion

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course you will be able to:

  • Explain what a dental assistant does day to day, where they work and how the role fits into the team
  • Use 15+ essential dental assistant terms correctly
  • Walk through process and sterilize dental instruments, take bitewing x-rays, and prepare an operatory for the next patient step by step
  • Identify the tools, equipment and technology used on the job
  • Apply core safety, compliance and professional standards
  • Map your path into the field, including credentials such as CDA (DANB)

Course syllabus

10 modules, about 8 hours in total.

MODULE 01Introduction to the Dental Assistant Role40 min
  • What dental assistants do and why the role matters
  • Where they work: settings, employers and teams
  • Pay, job outlook and the career ladder
  • Professional and ethical expectations
MODULE 02A Day on the Job30 min
  • A realistic shift, start to finish
  • Schedules, shifts and workload
  • Working with supervisors, coworkers and customers
  • The best and hardest parts of the job
MODULE 03Essential Dental Assistant Vocabulary50 min
  • Key term: Four-handed dentistry
  • Key term: High-volume evacuator (HVE)
  • Key term: Universal Numbering System
  • Key term: Mesial
  • Key term: Distal
  • Plus 10 more terms with practice drills
MODULE 04Core Duties and Responsibilities50 min
  • Prepare treatment rooms and seat patients
  • Review medical histories and take vital signs
  • Pass instruments and use suction during procedures
  • Take and process dental radiographs (X-rays) where certified
  • Clean and sterilize instruments and maintain infection control
MODULE 05Common Tasks, Step by Step1 hr 45 min
  • How to process and sterilize dental instruments
  • How to take bitewing x-rays
  • How to prepare an operatory for the next patient
  • Common mistakes and how to avoid them
MODULE 06Tools, Equipment and Technology40 min
  • High-volume evacuator (HVE) and saliva ejector
  • Air/water syringe
  • Digital radiography sensors and X-ray units
  • Autoclave and ultrasonic cleaner
  • Curing light
MODULE 07Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards1 hr
  • Follow CDC infection-control guidance and OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
  • Use proper radiation safety and never hold sensors for patients during exposures
  • Wear gloves
  • Handle sharps carefully and dispose of them immediately
MODULE 08Skills Employers Look For40 min
  • Chairside assisting (four-handed dentistry)
  • Dental radiography
  • Infection control and sterilization
  • Putting nervous patients at ease
  • Anticipating the dentist’s needs
MODULE 09Launching Your Dental Assistant Career40 min
  • Education and training pathways
  • Credential overview: CDA (DANB)
  • Credential overview: RHS and ICE (DANB)
  • Resume and interview preparation
  • Your first 90 days on the job
MODULE 10Final Knowledge Check40 min
  • Comprehensive practice exam with explanations
  • Certificate of completion on passing

Who this training is for

  • Students: find out what the dental assistant job is really like before choosing a program or major.
  • Career changers: test-drive the field and build vocabulary and confidence before investing in formal training.
  • New hires and employers: shorten ramp-up time with a consistent foundation for every new dental assistant.

Pricing

$74.99 per learner. Buying for a team? Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners.

SeatsDiscount
2 to 101% off
11 to 202% off
21 to 503% off
51 to 1005% off
101 to 2507% off
251 to 5008% off
501 to 1,00010% off

Free preview lessons

Sample the course material for free:

Why train for this career

Dental assistants prepare patients and treatment rooms, hand instruments and suction during procedures, take dental X-rays, sterilize instruments, and handle records and scheduling in dental offices. BLS reports a median wage of $48,070 (May 2025) and about 53,000 openings per year. Read the full dental assistant career profile or see salary details.

Enroll in Dental Assistant Training

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Course Dental Assistant Training · 8 hours · $74.99 per learner

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Dental Assistant training FAQ
How long is the Dental Assistant training?
About 8 hours, online, self-paced. You get 12 months of LMS access, so you can learn around work or school.
How much does the Dental Assistant training cost?
$74.99 per learner. Volume pricing applies automatically from 2 learners, up to 10% off for large groups.
Is the course online?
Yes. The course runs on our online learning platform (LMS). After you enroll, we email your login details.
Will this course make me a licensed or certified dental assistant?
No. This is a general career-preparation course. It does not by itself grant a state license, national certification or academic credit. Each state’s dental board sets rules for dental assistants. Requirements range from none to formal education, exams and registration, and expanded functions usually require additional credentials. It is designed to help you understand the job and prepare for the formal training, exams and interviews that follow.
Who is this course for?
Students exploring careers, adults changing careers, new hires who want a faster ramp-up, and employers onboarding dental assistants.
How do I enroll?
Use the enrollment form on this page. It opens a pre-filled email to our team, and we reply with your payment link or invoice and your LMS access. You can also call 1-866-429-6742.
Do you offer group or employer pricing?
Volume pricing from 2 seats. Choose “My team or employees” on the form or visit our employer training page.
What do I receive when I finish?
Certificate of completion from Career Education Institute after you pass the final knowledge check.


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