Dental Assistant Certificate Program
Classes Start September 23
ABHES Accredited
On Campus | Hybrid*
At a Glance
~9 Months
Course length
280-284
Class hours**
200-336
Lab hours**
180-240
Externship hours**
*Hybrid education options not available at all campuses
**Hours vary by location
About the Dental Assistant Program
Dental assistants play an essential role in helping dental practices provide safe, efficient and compassionate patient care. They support dentists during procedures, prepare treatment rooms, assist with patient education, perform laboratory tasks and help keep dental offices running smoothly.
Where the Dental Assistant Certificate Program Can Take You
Certification
This program prepares students who plan to take dental x-rays to apply to sit for a certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).*
Entry-level roles
Dental assistant, orthodontic assistant, oral surgery assistant and surgical dental assistant
Career advancement
Dental product sales, insurance claims processing and dental assistant educator
*El Paso campus students prepare for the Texas Registered Dental Assistant (TX RDA) exam, while California campus graduates prepare for the California Registered Dental Assistant license exam. Certification and state registration requirements vary.
Core Skills You’ll Develop
CLINICAL
Chairside assisting, instrument identification and transfer, dental anatomy and terminology, infection prevention and control, dental impressions and laboratory procedures, patient preparation and oral health education
ADMINISTRATIVE
Dental office procedures, appointment scheduling, dental charting, electronic dental records, insurance documentation, billing support and inventory management
PROFESSIONAL
Communication with patients, team collaboration, professional ethics, time management, workplace readiness and customer service
RADIOGRAPHY
Dental radiography theory and clinical application
Program Objective
Our Dental Assistant Certificate Program provides you with the foundation needed to complete your Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) or Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), depending on state requirements, and begin your career as an effective entry-level dental assistant.
The program covers essential clinical and administrative skills. You will learn everything from chairside assisting and dental x-rays to patient communication and office procedures, preparing you to confidently support dentists and serve patients from your very first day on the job. In as few as nine months, you can be on your way to a hands-on career supporting patients and dentists in a growing area of health care.
Hybrid Learning Options
All courses are taught on campus to ensure you get the hands-on clinical experience this program requires. For students who need more flexibility in their schedules, hybrid learning options are available at select campuses, combining in-person instruction two days a week with online learning three days a week. Externship hours are completed fully in person.
*Not all programs offer hybrid learning options; Hybrid education options not available at all campuses
Find a Campus Near You
Pima Medical Institute has campuses across the West, each offering hands-on Dental Assistant training built for immediate workforce entry.
Clinical Externships
At Pima Medical Institute, most programs allow students to work in their field through clinical externships—a chance to be mentored by full-time professionals and interface with real patients.
In addition to real-world experience, clinical externships offer students resume-worthy opportunities, letters of recommendation from supervisors and sometimes job placement directly after graduation.
Continuing Your Dental Education
Interested in continuing your education? At Pima Medical Institute, we offer a Dental Hygiene associate degree* so you can advance your career in dentistry.
We also offer additional healthcare leadership programs, including the online associate degree in Health Care Administration, Bachelor of Science in Health Care Administration and Master of Science in Organizational Leadership.
*Dental Hygiene is not available at all campuses
Job Outlook
6% Growth — The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects this occupation to grow faster than average over the next 10 years, with a median pay of $47,300 per year.*
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm (visited July 26, 2026).
What careers can you pursue with a Dental Assistant certificate?
The Dental Assistant certificate program prepares students to apply for roles including:
- Dental assistants
- Orthodontic assistant
- Oral surgery assistant
- Surgical dental assistant
And other related career opportunities, including:
- Working as a dental product sales representative
- Processing dental claims for insurance companies
- Educating future dental assistants
These careers may exist in a variety of health care environments, like general dental practices, pediatric dental offices, orthodontic practices, oral surgery offices, periodontal practices, endodontic practices, prosthodontic practices, public health clinics and specialty dental practices.
Career Services
When you’re a Pima Medical Institute student, you get access to our Career Services team—here for you when you need extra help with finding the right job opportunities, building a resume, strengthening your interview skills or just looking for general guidance.
Student Services
Our team of student service professionals are on hand to see students through the challenges they might face during their academic career. We offer guidance and resources to ultimately help build employable medical professionals.
Application Process
- Submit the form below
A few quick details so we can get to know you before we connect.
- Chat with our team
They’ll ask about your goals, your background, and what’s drawing you to healthcare. From there, they’ll help you find the right program and campus for where you are in life right now.
- Attend your campus tour
Experience Pima Medical in person and picture yourself in a career that matters. We’ll walk you through programs and what to expect.
- We help you complete your application
Our team guides you through every step, including enrollment and financial services, so nothing stands between you and getting started.
Dental Assistant Certificate Eligibility Requirements
- Possess a high school diploma or recognized equivalency
- Additional requirements may apply by campus
Tuition & financial aid
Federal aid (FAFSA), institutional scholarships and payment plans are available for those who qualify to help make your education affordable.
FAQs About our Dental Assistant Certificate Program
What Is a Dental Assistant?
If you enjoy working with people and want to build a hands-on health care career, dental assisting is a rewarding place to start.
What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
What will I learn in the Dental Assistant Certificate Program?
In the Dental Assistant Certificate Program, you will learn both the clinical and administrative skills needed to work confidently in a dental setting. Coursework covers chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, sterilization, dental materials, patient communication and office procedures including scheduling and billing. You will also complete a clinical externship in a real dental environment before graduation.
What is the difference between a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)?
A CDA is a nationally recognized credential awarded by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). An RDA is a state-specific license, most notably required in California and Texas. This exam focuses only on dental X-rays and radiation safety. Graduates of the ABHES-accredited Dental Assistant Program will be prepared for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam. While not a requirement, employers may prefer candidates that have passed the exam. NELDA also satisfies the X-Ray requirements for AZ, CO and NM. In TX and CA,* graduates will be prepared to sit for the state-specific radiology exam.
*The DANB’s Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam is required for all DA programs, including California
How long does the Dental Assistant Certificate Program take to complete?
The Dental Assistant Certificate Program takes approximately nine months to complete.*
*Individual completion times may vary.
Where can I complete the hands-on training required for dental assisting? Is the program offered online, in person, or hybrid?
The Dental Assistant Certificate Program is available on campus to residents of Arizona, Colorado, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Washington and meets applicable licensure requirements of those states.
Due to the hands-on nature of this program, there is no online-only option, but a hybrid learning option is available for students seeking schedule flexibility. As a hybrid student, you still receive the same support as on-campus students, including access to mental health resources, student services, career services and more. Note that hybrid education options are not available at all campuses. Contact your local campus to confirm availability.
How do I apply for the Dental Assistant Certificate Program?
Start by visiting our “How to Apply” page and complete step one by filling out the Request More Information form found on our website or call us at 1-800-477-7462 to speak with a medical career specialist. From there, you will be invited to tour your local campus, complete your enrollment and meet with our financial services team to explore your financial aid options.
What are the admissions requirements for the Dental Assistant Certificate Program?
You should have a high school diploma or recognized GED equivalent. A high school transcript or evidence of satisfactory GED completion will be requested prior to starting classes. You must take an entrance exam and pass with a minimum score (this requirement may be waived — see the Academic Catalog for details). All medical degree and certificate applicants must be interviewed prior to acceptance. Applicants who are under legal age must have written approval of a parent or legal guardian.
Is certification required to become a dental assistant?
Certification requirements vary by state and employer. Some employers prefer or require certification, while other states have additional registration or licensing requirements.
What are the certification opportunities for graduates of the Dental Assistant certificate program?
Graduates of the ABHES-accredited Dental Assistant Program will be prepared for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam. While not a requirement, employers may prefer candidates that have passed the exam. NELDA also satisfies the X-Ray requirements for AZ, CO and NM. In TX and CA,* graduates will be prepared to sit for the state-specific radiology exam.
*The DANB’s Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam is required for all DA programs, including California.
Additional potential certifications include:
| Credential | Organization |
| Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) | Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) |
| Radiation Health & Safety (RHS) | DANB |
| Infection Control (ICE) | DANB |
| Coronal Polishing* | State-specific |
*Availability and requirements vary by state. Certification and state registration requirements vary. Some states require additional licensure, registration, or examinations before practicing as a dental assistant.
Program Outline
Learn more about the courses in this program.
Career Prep Sequence
Professional Sequence I
Professional Sequence II
Professional Sequence III
Externship
Professional Sequence I
Professional Sequence II
Professional Sequence III
Professional Sequence IV
Professional Sequence V
Externship
Nobody Says It Better Than Our Students
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Disclosures and Accreditations
State Licensure Determination Disclosure
The Dental Assistant program is offered via on-ground and hybrid delivery methods. The program is available to residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington, and meets applicable licensure requirements in those states. While there may be online components, completion of this program requires on-ground attendance at the campus at which the student is enrolled and cannot be completed solely via distance education. Prospective students and enrolled students should understand that moving out of the state in which they enrolled may adversely impact a student’s ability to complete the program. If a student is planning to relocate outside of their state of enrollment he or she is required to discuss this with the Student Services Coordinator and/or Program Director.
In compliance with 34 CFR 668.43 Pima Medical Institute has made a reasonable effort to determine graduate eligibility for licensure in all states for programs designed and advertised as leading to licensure. The document below lists Pima Medical Institute programs and states where the curriculum meets licensure requirements, states where the curriculum does not meet licensure requirements, and states in which Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the curriculum meets state licensure requirements. All consumers should be advised that due to the frequent changes to state statutes, rules, and regulations Pima Medical Institute cannot guarantee licensure based on the lists below.
State Licensure Determination Disclosure – Certificate Programs
Contact information for state licensing boards in which Pima Medical Institute has determined the program does not meet state licensure requirements or where Pima Medical Institute has been unable to determine if the program meets state licensure requirements can be found below.
State Licensing Board Contact Information – Dental Assistant