Medical & Dental Programs
Dental Assisting
SJVC’s Dental Assisting program trains students in all aspects of working with a dentist, including patient care, office, and laboratory duties.
REAL-WORLD SKILLS
FINISH FAST
Program Details
Cost & Financial Aid
Education is the most important investment you can make in your future. There is a financial plan available for everyone, including a broad range of financial assistance options. Visit SJVC’s Net Price Calculator to get personalized information on college costs and financial aid. Check out SJVC’s Academic Catalog to learn about program costs by campus and credential level. You also can talk to an Admissions Advisor to discuss the costs of your chosen program and schedule an appointment with an experienced financial aid officer. Student loans, grants, and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
Program Availability
SJVC’s dental assisting programs are available at the following campuses:
Accreditation & Approvals
The Dental Assisting program is approved by the Dental Board of California.
Dental Board of California
2005 Evergreen Street, Ste. 1550
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 263-2300
dbc.ca.gov
Institutional Accreditation
San Joaquin Valley College is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), 1080 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 500, Alameda, CA 94501, Phone: 510-748-9001, Fax: 510-748-9797.
The WSCUC is an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
State Approvals
CALIFORNIA
SJVC is a private institution and is approved to operate as an accredited institution by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). Approval to operate means that SJVC has been found in compliance with the standards set forth in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Title 5, Division 7.5, – Private Postsecondary Education of the California Code of Regulations. As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog prior to signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you prior to signing an enrollment agreement.
A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (888) 370-7589 or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the Bureau’s internet website (www.bppe.ca.gov).
Continuing Education for Graduates
Health Studies
Program Description
SJVC’s Health Studies program may be completed in 25 weeks. The program is designed for healthcare professionals who want to advance their career and who have earned a certificate of completion in Dental Assisting from SJVC. The Health Studies Associate of Science Degree affords excellent opportunities for professional growth and development through instruction in general education coursework designed to produce the competencies of higher education that employers expect of college graduates.
What Will I Learn?
Orientation to Dentistry
Dental Anatomy & Patient Management
Preventative Clinical Procedures
Core Dental Assisting Skills
Ready to Do This?
Find your path in the dental field.
Talk to an admissions advisor about your options and earn your certificate in as few as 11 months
Career Opportunities
If you want to become a dental assistant in California, our Dental Assisting program prepares graduates for an entry-level role in dental offices. As a dental assistant, you can expect to perform the following job duties:1
- Provide chair side assistance to the dentist
- Take dental impressions
- Coronal polish and fluoride treatments
- Expose and process X-Rays
- Practice infection control procedures
- Apply pit and fissure sealants
Check out our guide on becoming a Dental Assistant in California.
Are you interested in dentistry and passionate about helping people? Then a dental assistant career could be for you. Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care and administrative duties. They take x-rays, schedule patient appointments and assist dentists during dental procedures.
Successful Grads
Ask one of our 60,000+ graduates about their SJVC experience and they’ll likely describe it as life-changing.
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Dental Assistant FAQ
WHAT DOES A DENTAL ASSISTANT DO?
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A DENTAL ASSISTANT?
HOW LONG IS THE DENTAL ASSISTING PROGRAM?
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO BECOME A DENTAL ASSISTANT?
- Complete high school or obtain an equivalent degree.
- Depending on the state you live in, attend an accredited dental assistant program and pass an exam. Seek employment as a dental assistant.
HOW TO BECOME A REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT?
WHAT IS A DENTAL ASSISTANT?
HOW MUCH IS DENTAL ASSISTANT SCHOOL?
HOW TO BECOME A REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT IN CALIFORNIA?
- Obtain formal education or training through one of the following:
- Graduate from a Board-approved RDA program.
- Complete a minimum of 15 months of dental assistant work experience under a licensed dentist in the U.S.
- Complete a 4-month program approved by the California Department of Education and 11 months of work experience under a licensed dentist in the U.S.
- Complete Board-approved courses in coronal polishing and radiation safety.
- Within five years of application, complete a Board-approved course in the Dental Practice Act.
- Within five years of application, complete a Board-approved, eight-hour course in infection control.
- Complete a basic life support course from an instructor approved by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
- Provide fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
- Take and pass the RDA General and Law and Ethics Written exam.
- Board-approved course in the California Dental Practice Act
- Board-approved course in infection control
- Basic life support course from an instructor approved by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.