Dental Assistant Certificate
| Type | Full Time |
|---|---|
| Length | 1 year |
| Campus | Prince George |
| Delivery | In Class |
| Fees* |
Estimated at $7202.07
International Check fee schedule
*All fees are an estimate. |
| Starting Semesters | Fall 2026 |
Fall 2026 Applications Closed for Prince George
Applications for the 2027 Fall Intake open in October 2026.
What is a Certified Dental Assistant?
Earn a fulfilling career as a Certified Dental Assistant! Certified Dental Assistants are educated, licensed and regulated members of an integrated dental healthcare team that provides oral care services to patients. The practice of dental assisting involves collaboration with patients and other healthcare professionals to achieve and maintain optimal oral health and overall health and well-being.
As a Certified Dental Assistant, you will work alongside and assist a Dentist. Specific duties include:
- Preparing and maintaining dental instruments and equipment
- Maintaining appropriate infection control
- Assisting the dentist
- Preparing dental materials such as dental composites, amalgams and cements
- Providing patient education and comfort
- Performing patient care procedures such as taking health histories; assisting in patient assessment; exposing of dental images; patient charting; treatment planning; polishing teeth and delivering preventative fluoride applications.
- Carrying out office administration services, including management of dental records
To be successful as a dental assistant student and professional, the student requires:
- A caring nature and interest in the well-being of others
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Good time management skills
- Good eyesight, hearing, and hand-eye coordination. It is strongly recommended that students have an eye examination and obtain corrective eyewear if needed.
- Ability to accurately follow verbal and written directions
- Ability to manage a fast-paced, demanding, and stressful work environment
- Computer literacy especially experience with word processing and internet
- The same standard of oral health that they encourage in their patients
Careers
Our graduates are career-ready and are highly employable. Certified dental assistants are employed in a variety of practice settings including:
- Dental offices
- Specialty practices such as children's specialist, orthodontics, or oral surgery
- Hospital dental clinics
- BC Cancer Agency
- Community health clinics and public health facilities
- Residential care facilities for seniors and the disabled
Employment opportunities also exist in education, research, sales and marketing of dental products, and dental insurance company administration.
For more information about the Certified Dental Assisting profession, please visit Canadian Dental Assistants Association and CDA Alliance.
Accreditation
The Dental Assistant program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada. When you graduate, you’re eligible to write Canadian and American national certification exams.
What you will learn
This is a 10 month, hands-on program with opportunities to work with a range of equipment and techniques.
CNC Dental Assisting program offers small class sizes and a 1:8 ratio of faculty to students in the clinical setting. Our clinic is equipped with 20 dental operatories and 4 radiography rooms with computerized dental stations and digital radiography and record keeping abilities. Students are activity involved in our dental clinic providing patient-centered oral healthcare care services.
Our dental assisting curriculum also includes community-based student activities. For example, CNC Dental Studies works collaboratively with the Northern Health Authority to deliver a Seal in a Smile program to elementary school aged children annually.
Top 5 reasons to enroll at CNC
- Career- ready, highly employable graduates
- Educated, caring and experienced faculty
- Small class sizes with collaborative education
- Large clinic with 20 computerized/digital units
- Affordable cost of living
Courses
Core Courses
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This course introduces basic principles of dental assisting techniques and the assessment phase of client care. Theoretical knowledge pertaining to basic instrumentation, fundamental skills associated with dental assisting, and an introduction to biomaterials will be covered. In addition, students will receive information regarding the rationale for obtaining medical and dental histories, vital signs, dental charting, initial client observations, and isolation techniques. The course material includes the prevention and handling of complications and medical emergencies that may occur in the dental office.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course emphasizes infection control and prevention of oral disease. Awareness will be placed on the nature of oral organisms, modes, and management of transmission for diseases of dental importance. This course also familiarizes the student with methods and materials used to prevent oral disease. Plaque, methods to control oral diseases, devices, and other components of preventive dentistry are covered.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
A study of form, structure, and inter relationships of the head and neck. Also included is the study of histology, morphology, supporting structures, occlusion, identification, and anomalies as they relate to dentition. Anatomical landmarks and understanding of the relationship between structure and function will be provided.Typical Offerings
| Timing | All Terms, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George, Quesnel |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course focuses on the personal management and interpersonal skills that contribute to success in the business world. Areas covered include stress and time management, perceptions, effective communication, and assertiveness skills. Opportunities will be provided for the learner to practice and critique communication skills that are critical to the workplace.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
This theoretical component provides the student with background into dental anesthesia, cavity preparation and design, and restorative instruments. Knowledge of the dental materials utilized in the prevention and treatment of oral disease will also be covered. A series of lectures will be given dealing with the etiological fundamentals of dental caries and methods used to prevent caries.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course provides the student with knowledge regarding the potential of oral manifestations such as periodontal disease and caries. The student learns to prevent these diseases through clinical preventive procedures, understanding nutrition, and teaching the client oral self-care. An additional component has the student developing and presenting preventive oral health lesson plans to select members of the local community.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course has an emphasis on the dental specialties of oral surgery and prosthodontic dentistry. It provides the student with the knowledge of pre-surgical evaluation, pharmacological considerations, procedures, postoperation treatments, and the role of the certified dental assistant in the care of an oral surgery case. Students are also introduced to prosthetic procedures which are devoted to the restoration of function and the form of the dentition, including fixed and removable appliances and implants.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course will provide the student with an overview of the dental profession and its organization. It will also introduce the student to dental jurisprudence, ethical dilemmas and problem solving. The BC Health Professions Act and duties of the graduate BC Certified Dental Assistant will be discussed.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course has been designed to provide students with the theory of the technical aspects of radiation and principles of exposing, processing, and mounting dental radiographs. Clinical experience emphasizes radiation hygiene and technique.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Intersession Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
A theoretical course where emphasis is placed on the dental specialties of oral pathology, orthodontics, endodontics, geriodontics, pedodontics, and special needs clients.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Intersession Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
This course will provide the student with an introduction to dental office practice procedures in relation to the clinical setting. The student will be involved in a combination of guided self-study, projects, and class discussions to complete this course.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Intersession Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
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Description
The last course in the clinical sequence, this clinic allows the student to build on previous experiences and to integrate new skills into clinical and laboratory activities. Clinical activities will include treating scheduled clients for prescribed services and providing dental health education to members of the community. Students participate in weekly guided discussions of their clinical experiences and cases.Required Practicums
Typical Offerings
| Timing | Fall Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
The first in a series, this clinic provides an opportunity for the student to integrate theory into clinical and laboratory experiences. The focus is on clinical asepsis, basic instrumentation, initial client observation, isolation techniques, and the manipulation of a variety of dental materials.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
The second course in the clinical sequence, the student's clinical knowledge, skills and attitudes build on the foundation from DENT 157 - Dental Assisting Clinic I and expands clinical and laboratory competencies. Students will begin to schedule patients and perform prescribed services. Students also participate in weekly guided group discussions of their clinical experiences and cases.Within this clinical course students will be scheduled to participate in an integrated practicum (approx.16 hours). This practicum experience furthers the opportunity the student has for dental assisting in a dental office. Emphasis on professionalism and communication skills continues. Advanced chair side assisting, direct patient care procedures, and laboratory skills may also be included in the experience. This course will continue to focus on the student's professional conduct, communication skills, clinical support procedures, assisting and practicing in a safe and competent manner according to HPA/ Dentist Act requirements.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Spring Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This practicum experience provides the student with the opportunity to assist in a general dentistry office. The focus will be on professional conduct, communication skills, clinical support procedures, assiting and to practice in a safe and competent manner according to HPA/Dentist Act requirements.Typical Offerings
| Timing | Intersession Only, Every Year |
|---|---|
| Locations | Prince George |
| Requisites |
|
Description
This practicum experice futhers the opportunity the student has for dental assisting in a dental office. Emphasis on professionalism and communication skills continues. Advanced chair side assisting, direct patient care procedures, and laboratory skills may also be included in the experience. This course will continue to focus on the student's professional conduct, communication skills, clinical support procedures, assisting and to practice in a safe and competent manner according to HPA/Dentist Act requirements.Entry Requirements
Fall 2027 Intake and Onwards
For applications to the Fall 2027 intake (September start), you must meet the following requirements:
- The following courses or their equivalents, with a grade of "C+" or higher:
- Anatomy and Physiology 12 or
- English Studies 12, or English First Peoples 12 or
Prior to the start of the program, you must provide the following completed documents supplied in the program information package:
- Proof of current immunization status as outlined by the BC Centre for Disease Control and as outlined in the BC Practice Education Guidelines BC Immunization. See Practice Education Guidelines.
- Dental examination within the last 9 months
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Level C, or Basic Life Support (BLS). CPR online course must include face-to-face practice components.
- Criminal Record Check (RCMP criminal record checks are not accepted)
Students must complete a provincial Schedule B criminal record search because there is a practicum component involving work with vulnerable people. A search which identifies relevant criminal convictions may prevent students from registering for practicum. To graduate from the Dental Assisting program, each practicum must be successfully completed.
Note 1: All costs associated with certifications, courses and/or documentation requirements are the student’s responsibility.
Note 2: May be required to travel for practicum placements.
Need help meeting these requirements? Check out our options.
Limited admission
If there is room in the program, you will be accepted once you have met all the admission requirements. This is called “first qualified, first accepted.” If you qualify after the program is full, you will be put on a wait list.
Self-identified Canadian Aboriginal applicants meeting the admission requirements will be given priority for 20% of seats in the program until the institutionally recognized release date.
| Type | Campus | Starts | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
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Open for Applications |
Invest in your future
The estimated cost for this program is $7202.07.
- Semester 1: $3217.25
- Semester 2: $2793.46
- Intersession: $1191.36
Check the for more details
Supplies for this program can be purchased from the bookstore and through the program.
Paying for college
We're here to help. You can apply for scholarships and bursaries through CNC. We can also help you find loans and other funding.
Salaries and employment
Looking for a job? Check the student employment opportunities.International Fees
The estimated cost for this program is $20,671.
This cost is an estimate and subject to change. This does not include registration fees, text books, medical insurance or living expenses.
