Earn a certificate in dental assisting online while actively working in a dental office. This combination of theory and real-world experience contributes to a highly effective learning experience for students.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Provide patient-centred dental care in a safe, competent manner.
- Practice using a unique body of knowledge that is evidence-based.
- Competently assess, plan, treat and reflect on outcomes of clinical care.
- Practice in accordance with the ethical guidelines for the profession.
- Apply professional standards of the regulatory body for Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) practice.
- Apply principles that support cultural safety and humility in CDA practice.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Certified Dental Assisting Online Program is 20 months of part-time study.
Maximum time for completion is 3 years.
The Certified Dental Assisting Online program is offered on a part-time basis.
Theory courses are presented asynchronously through online activities, lectures, small group discussions, assigned readings and self-study. Clinical skills are presented in the dental clinic and laboratory onsite at the VCC downtown campus. The clinical competencies are developed on manikins, peers, and patients. Acquisition of clinical skills is enhanced through in-office clinical experiences which reinforce and enhance the course content. Students must be working/volunteering clinically for a minimum of two days (14 hours) per week as a clinical dental assistant in a general practice dental office for the duration of the program.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
-
Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.*
- English Studies 12 with a minimum 'C' grade or equivalent
- One of:**
- Anatomy and Physiology 12, or equivalent (recommended)
or - Life Sciences 11, or equivalent
- Anatomy and Physiology 12, or equivalent (recommended)
- A signed Sponsoring Dentist Agreement verifying a minimum of 2 days (14 hours) per week clinical dental assisting experience in a general dentistry practice for the duration of the program.
- Criminal Record Check
- ??Students in this program are required to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC).
- The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations may not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.
* Students who have completed the Vancouver Community College Dental Reception program are exempt from these admission requirements.
** Students who have completed the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) Provincial Radiography credential are exempt from this admission requirement.
Applicants who have successfully completed one of the options below may be eligible to receive credit for DAST 1515 and DAST 1517.
- DNTL 1107 Dental Radiography, or
- DREC 1242 Dental Radiography, or
- DENT 1505 Dental Radiography 1 and DENT 2995 Dental Radiography 2 and DENT 3745 Dental Radiography 3.
UPON ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM:
- Current CPR Level C
- CPR Level C includes:
- Adult/Child/Baby CPR – one rescuer
- Adult/Child CPR – two-rescuer
- Adult/Child/Baby – choking
- CPR Level C includes:
- TB Screening
- Students must submit a negative TB skin test taken within 6 months of acceptance to the program. If the TB skin test is positive, a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
- Immunizations
- Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some case may be required for practice education placements:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella
- Varicella (Chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza (annually)
- COVID-19
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Recommended Characteristics
- Ability to communicate effectively in a team environment
- Empathic and caring attitude
- Ability to work independently and within a team environment
- Ability to complete tasks that require manual dexterity and fine motor skills
- Detail oriented
- Effective time management skills
- Basic computer literacy (email, word processing and use of the internet)
Considerations:
The physical demands of the CDA profession may worsen back, wrist, neck or shoulder problems. Materials used in oral health care may affect persons living with conditions such as latex sensitivity or other allergies.
Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Students may request formal recognition of prior learning attained through formal education, or work experience. Credits may be granted to students who are able to sufficiently demonstrate the learning outcomes of specific courses.
PLAR is available for the following courses:
- DAST 1403 Basic Dental Assisting
- DAST 1405 Dental Office Emergencies
- DAST 1510 Laboratory Procedures
- DAST 1513 Dental Reception
*Methods of PLAR will include evaluation by examination.
If PLAR is successful, transcripts will reflect an ‘S’ grade (satisfactorily completed), which is not included in grade point average (GPA) calculations.
See VCC Policy and Procedures 316 Prior Learning Assessment for more information.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DAST 1400 | Professionalism in Dental Assisting | 2.0 |
| DAST 1402 | Microbiology and Infection Control | 1.5 |
| DAST 1403 | Basic Dental Assisting | 2 |
| DAST 1404 | Patient Assessment | 2 |
| DAST 1405 | Dental Office Emergencies | 1.5 |
| DAST 1406 | Preventive Dentistry | 3 |
| DAST 1407 | Restorative Dental Assisting | 2.5 |
| DAST 1408 | Clinical Dental Assisting Practice 1 | 3 |
| DAST 1510 | Laboratory Procedures | 1.5 |
| DAST 1511 | Dental Specialties | 3 |
| DAST 1512 | Community Dental Health | 3 |
| DAST 1513 | Dental Reception | 2.5 |
| DAST 1514 | Patient Care Procedures | 2.5 |
| DAST 1515 | Dental Radiography | 2.5 |
| DAST 1517 | Dental Radiography in Clinical Practice | 1.5 |
| DAST 1518 | Clinical Dental Assisting Practice 2 | 5 |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 7453 | |
| Student union | 128 | |
| College initiative | 111 | |
| Materials | 132 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 299 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 0 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 0 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a $300 non-refundable deposit.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Are you interested in this program? Find out When to Apply.
Course delivery information: Courses are primarily delivered asynchronously, so you can complete your dental office experience of at least 14 hours/week. There is some collaborative work with other students, as well as scheduled exams on Zoom. There are three in-person clinicals (5 days, 3 days, and 10 days) at the VCC downtown campus.
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