Dental Assistant Certificate
Step Into the Dental Field with Hands-On Training in Just 8 Months
The Dental Assistant Certificate Program provides comprehensive training in both clinical and administrative aspects of dental care. Students will learn skills such as chairside assisting, laboratory procedures, processing radiographs, and managing patient records. Through a blend of hands-on learning and classroom instruction, students gain the knowledge and skills needed to support dentists in dental offices, clinics, and specialty practices. Upon successful completion, graduates earn a Certificate of Dental Assisting and become eligible to sit for entry-level and advanced dental assistant certification exams, opening the door to expanded career opportunities.
Program Snapshot
- Program Type: Certificate
- Duration: 8 Months
- Start Dates: Monthly
- Format: Hybrid (In-Person Didactic Hours + Asynchronous Online Coursework)
- Hours Required: 720 Clock Hours, Including 160 Hours in an Externship
Curriculum Highlights
- Core Courses: Administrative Procedures, Dental Sciences, Dental Radiography, Laboratory Procedures, Operative Dentistry, Orthodontics & Dental Health
- Externship: 8-Week, 160-Hour Supervised Clinical Experience at a Dental Facility
Schedule
Following a hybrid schedule, two in-person days per week provide didactic and lab instruction, while the remaining coursework is completed asynchronously online.
- Wednesday 9:00AM – 3:00PM & Saturday 8:00AM – 2:00PM
Career Pathways
Graduates Are Prepared For Employment In:
- Dental Offices
- Specialty Clinics (Orthodontics, Endodontics, etc.)
- Hospitals
- Community Health Centers
Certifications – Your Pathway to Employment
Graduates of the Dental Assistant Certificate Program are eligible to sit for dental certification exams through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) or the American Medical Technologists (AMT). While certification is not required for employment as a dental assistant in Illinois, earning a certification demonstrates your skills to deliver professional care in clinical and administrative dental settings.
Admission Requirements
- High School Diploma, GED, or Equivalent
- Completed Application for Admission
- Interview with Admissions Team