Certified Dental Assistants work under the supervision of dentists preparing equipment, assisting during procedures, taking health histories and instructing patients on postoperative care. Some dental offices offer on-the-job training. A high school diploma is required. Each state is different in licensing and allowable functions and about 30 states now require certification[1] .
Typical costs:
Certificate or diploma programs may be accomplished through community colleges in either 11 months as a full-time student or 22 months studying part time. Cost for the 42-unit program varies by state from $850 to $7,560, depending on the average unit cost.
The Center for Technology in Essex, Vermont[2] offers a course for about $5,525 while the cost at Texas State Technical College[3] runs $4,975. In California[4] where the per-unit charge is only $20, the certificate program is about $850 at Santa Rosa Junior College[5] in Santa Rosa. In order to be eligible to take the national exam, the school must be accredited by the American Dental Association.
Students in the one-year program generally study from August through August then take the board in November. The Certified Dental Assistant exam[6] costs about $125 for registration and both the written and practical exams.
Lab fees cost around $560.
Books and supplies average $1,600.
Discounts:
The American Dental Assistants Association offers an annual scholarship.
Shopping for dental assistant school:
The American Dental Association maintains a list of accredited dental assisting programs by state.
A list of local American Dental Assistants Associations is maintained online.
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In Reedley, California, quoted approximately $27,000 for an associates degree in Dental Assisting- if you are without grants and scholarships, 9 months if attending full-time, longer if a part-time student.
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