DA 3000
Dental Assistant
Pursue a career in dental healthcare by gaining the knowledge and skills needed for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) credentialing exam.
Program Overview
Certifications earned
Dental Assistants are highly visible members of the dental practice team. They provide support to dentists and dental hygienists on a variety of tasks, including greeting and scheduling patients, obtaining preliminary vital signs and symptoms, performing diagnostic testing, creating laboratory molds, taking x-rays, and assisting the dentist through all visits and dental procedures. Aftercare instructions, as well as follow-up calls, are typically completed by the dental assistant in many practices. You may also perform a variety of lab tasks such as coronal polishing, sealant application, fluoride application, and topical anesthetic application.
- Gain knowledge and skills in preparation to pass the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification exam
- Discuss tooth numbering systems, dental charting, and scheduling patients according to treatment plan
- Identify important head, neck, and oral anatomy related to patient care, including anomalies and radiographic landmarks
- Demonstrate essential dental assisting skills needed for patient preparation, measurement of vital signs, and four-handed dentistry, as well as the dental assistant’s role in medical emergencies
What You’ll Learn – DA 3000 Dental Assistant
Dental Assisting is projected to be among the fastest-growing occupations in the United States through 2026. There is high demand for caring, knowledgeable, and professional individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of patients – while pursuing an exciting career in healthcare. This program prepares students to take on significant responsibility as a member of a dental healthcare team. Dental Assistants greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of quality, oral healthcare.
The MedCerts online Dental Assistant program prepares students to gain industry certifications and, ultimately, to work with patients in dental offices, community dental and health clinics, and hospital-based dental facilities. The MedCerts Dental Assistant program has been reviewed and approved by the AMT Board of Directors as an eligible program leading to RDA certification. Today’s dental assistants perform a variety of clinical and administrative duties, and the MedCerts program covers the wide range of skills and objectives needed to meet industry demands for skilled and well-rounded dental assistants. This program prepares students to assist dentists and dental hygienists by providing the essential clinical and administrative skills needed in the dental setting. The program covers subjects such as dental anatomy and morphology, infection control, radiation health safety and radiographic skills, patient education, soft skills, dental materials, and essential chairside functions.
Dental Assistant responsibilities include assisting with and providing direct patient care, sterilizing instruments, taking impressions, and performing office management tasks. Working under the direction of a Dentist, assistants may perform a variety of tasks such as coronal polishing, sealant application, fluoride application, and topical anesthetic application. The Dental Assistant program covers a comprehensive range of knowledge domains, topics, objectives, and tasks that a practicing Dental Assistant could perform. However, it is important to note that each state regulates the scope of practice for Dental Assistants within that specific state.
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Find your next careerSome MedCerts programs are restricted in certain states or regions. Please review our State Restriction page to view what restrictions there may be in your state/region or residence of employment and ensure you are eligible for enrollment.
These restrictions may not apply to students taking programs through an employer, academic or government-sponsored model – including MyCAA and Army, Air Force or Coast Guard. Credentialing Assistance. To determine eligibility, please confirm with your sponsor or review our military spouse MyCAA-approved or Military Credentialing Assistance-approved programs
Program Details
- High School Diploma or GED
- Web browser with internet connection
- Course registration & payment
- Expert-led video based training
- eBook: Modern Dental Assisting (Saunders 13th Edition, Copyright 2021)
- Competency assessments
- National Certification exam fee
*The cost of all materials needed for this program are covered by MedCerts. They are not included in the tuition costs and the student is not liable for any costs or fees related to the above materials.
- Dedicated Student Success Advisors
- Tailored support based on performance & behavior
- Exam preparation process
- 1 yr. post-program access to Career Center & Career Coaches
Career Outlook
Dental Assistant
Job Opportunities
openings in the US
potential
Tuition Cost
Dental Assistant Training Online
- Interest rates from 0-12%
Active Duty Military Grants
MedCerts accepts education benefits from the Department of Defense for Active Duty Army, Coast Guard and Air Force.
Military Spouse Grants
Spouses of Active Duty Service Members in certain ranks may be eligible for assistance up to $2,000 per fiscal year.
Workforce Grants
MedCerts partners with American Job Centers in 30+ states and accepts Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and other workforce grant funding.
FAQs
FAQs for MedCerts’ Online Dental Assistant Certification Course
A Dental Assistant is a key member of the dental healthcare team, providing support to dentists and dental hygienists. They are responsible for tasks such as greeting and scheduling patients, obtaining preliminary vital signs and symptoms, performing diagnostic testing, creating laboratory molds, taking x-rays, and assisting the dentist through all visits and dental procedures.
The career outlook for Dental Assistants is very positive, with available jobs expected to grow by 10.1% over the next ten years.
The average salary for a Dental Assistant is $44,710. However, salaries can range from $31,450 to $59,200 annually, depending on experience, location, and the specific dental office or clinic.
Each state’s dental board implements regulations and establishes rules for delegating legally allowable duties to dental assistants. In general, to become a Dental Assistant, you should complete a training program like the one offered by MedCerts, which prepares you to pass the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) credentialing exam.
Graduates are then eligible to attempt the RDA, gaining certification status requires the following additional requirements:
- Must provide proof of completion (Transcript) an AMT approved training program (MedCerts’ training program is approved by the AMT)
- Must provide proof of CPR Certification (MedCerts does not provide this training or certification)
In the MedCerts online Dental Assistant certification training program, you will learn a comprehensive range of skills, including:
Dental anatomy and morphology
Infection control
Radiation health safety and radiographic skills
Patient education
Dental materials
Essential chairside functions
To enroll in the MedCerts Dental Assistant program, you will need a high school diploma or GED, a web browser with internet connection and course registration & payment. Additionally, this program requires proficiency in math, vocabulary, and comprehension, suitable vision and hearing (normal or corrected), suitable psychomotor skills, hand-eye coordination & finger agility and the ability to stand for extended periods.
Tuition is competitively priced at $4,000. The cost includes all materials and certification exam fees for the RDA examination.
Yes, payment plans are available as low as $346 per month. Additionally, students may qualify for government funding and scholarships.
While MedCerts does not offer provides financial aid, students may be eligible for options through government grant-funded programs like:
The total program duration is 14 weeks if completing 15-20 hrs of coursework per week.
The program is developed with collaboration from industry-recognized subject matter experts and includes interactive simulations, interviews with real-world experts, game-based learning. and more. The program is designed to cater to various learning styles, ensuring an engaging and effective educational experience.
MedCerts includes exam fees and preparation materials in the program cost. The courses are structured to prepare students for the RDA exam. Additionally, MedCerts students are provided access to a Student Success Advisor team, Subject Matter Experts and Career Coaches to assist with exam prep.
The program includes expert-led video-based training, an eBook (“Modern Dental Assisting”), competency assessments, and the national certification exam fee. All materials needed for the program are included in the program cost by MedCerts.
Some MedCerts programs are restricted in certain states or regions. Please review our State Restriction page to view what restrictions there may be in your state/region or residence of employment and ensure you are eligible for enrollment.
We’re not institutionally accredited as a training provider, but the certification you’ll earn in this program is accredited through the exam-issuing authority, American Medical Technologists. So while our school itself doesn’t hold accreditation, you’ll earn an accredited certification upon passing your national exam.
Disclaimers
- Each State’s dental board implements rules and regulations for delegating legally allowable duties to dental assistants.
- While MedCerts training and related target certifications may be accepted and/or approved by your state of residency, employers reserve the right to dictate prerequisite education, experience, or certification/licensure requirements for their positions. We strongly advise students to research target job posts from area employers and relevant state requirements, barriers, or restrictions prior to enrollment to ensure eligibility upon graduation.