Certified Dental Assistant

FEATURES:

• Practicum provides work experience and industry contacts
• The Certified Dental Assistant program is based on the regulations governing certified dental assisting practices as defined by the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP).
• Program eligible for financial aid

A great smile is one way to make a positive first impression. Ask any qualified dentist and they will agree that today’s dental offices are inundated with people looking to improve their smiles and keep on top of their oral health.

Certified dental assistants are essential members of the dental health care team; they work hard towards the common goal of providing quality oral care for dental clients.

The 10-month (September–June) Certified Dental Assistant certificate program provides you with the opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes necessary for employment as a certified dental assistant.

This program combines clinical practice with lecture in preparation for a career in private practice, dental clinics, and other public health facilities.

View program outline in the UFV Academic Calendar

This program is recognized by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Upon graduating, but prior to practicing as a certified dental assistant, you are required to write the National Dental Assisting Examination Board examination and register with the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals.

Clinical experience

Throughout the program, you gain extensive clinical experience. In addition to working at the UFV dental clinic, the curriculum includes two practica with local dentistry practices, which provide you with full-time experience in a dental office.

Scrub uniforms, lab coats, gloves, masks, and safety glasses are required during all clinic sessions. You are preparing to work in a professional office: therefore neatness and good grooming are essential at all times.

Watch video: Why choose UFV for your dental assistant training?

According to WorkBC, demand for dental assistants is expected to grow from 2018 to 2028. With advances in dentistry, people keep their natural teeth much longer, and require ongoing care and multiple, regular interventions.

Moreover, the dental field is evolving rapidly and becoming more diverse. Teeth whitening and cosmetic dental procedures are growing in popularity, opening new areas of practice for dentists and assistants alike. Certified dental assistants are generally in higher demand than those without post-secondary education and may perform a wider range of duties such as taking x-rays, polishing teeth, and educating patients about oral hygiene.

Sophisticated innovations and procedures such as digital technologies, laser dentistry, and implant surgery are revolutionizing the industry and opening opportunities for dental clinics to offer expanded services and personalized treatment plans.

View entrance requirements in the UFV Academic Calendar.