Advance Your

Registered Dental Assistant

Career

INQUIRE TODAY
Ready to begin your career journey or have more questions? Connect with a Workforce Training Specialist today!
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14 Weeks

PROGRAM LENGTH

$4,000.00*

Pay in full

TUITION

*You can pay as little as $267 per month. For full payment options and different financing plans, including interest rates from external lenders, please talk to our enrollment team.

What Does A Dental Assistant Do?

Dental assistants are a valuable part of the dental practice team. They perform various tasks and consequently need broad technical and administrative skills to keep the dental office running smoothly. 

Typical responsibilities of a dental assistant include scheduling patient appointments, sterilizing instruments, handing instruments to the dentist during procedures, instructing patients in proper oral hygiene, and billing. 

Where Does A 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

eBook: Modern Dental Assisting (Saunders 13th Edition, Copyright 2021)

Competency assessments

National Certification exam fee

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

Outcomes

Dental assistant roles will continue to demand due to people’s need for preventative dental services. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment of dental assistants to grow 8% through 2031, adding about 56,400 dental assistant jobs each year. The BLS reports dental assistants earned an average of $38,660 annually in 2021, and the highest 10% earned more than $59,540.  

Skills Learned

Upon completion of our Dental Assistant program, you’ll learn several 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 significant 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 a 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 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

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT JOB POSSIBILITIES

dental assistant looking at camera

$26,000 – $49,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Laboratory
Assistant

Healthcare worker helping old man

$19,000 – $45,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Dental
Assistant

hands of 2 people making sales

$22,000 – $72,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Dental Sales
Representative

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.

ISSUING AUTHORITY

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.

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

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.

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.

 

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!

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. 

PROGRAM COMPARISONS

PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Community College
Program & Tuition Cost
$4,000 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 WORKFORCE TRAINING SPECIALIST

April is your Workforce Training 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, Union Adventist University and how to achieve your workforce development goals!

FAQ

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

Union Adventist University, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, 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.