Dental Assisting
Carrington College’s Dental Assisting program trains students in all aspects of working with a dentist, including patient care, office, and laboratory duties.
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What Will I Learn?
PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY & DENTAL SCIENCE
DENTAL OFFICE PROTOCOLS
DENTAL ASSISTING PROCEDURES
Career Opportunities
You’re passionate about helping people with their smiles. That will help you succeed as a dental assistant. It is projected that opportunities for dental assistants will continue to grow. And there are some reasons for this growth, including:
- Continued research showing a link between oral health and general health will increase the demand for preventive dental services.
- Dentists need dental assistants to help with routine tasks, giving the dentist more time to see patients in their practice and focus on more complex procedures.
Program Details
Cost & Financial Aid
Education is a major investment, but it’s an investment in your future. Every student comes to Carrington with unique financial needs. Carrington College is committed to helping you achieve your education goals. We participate in most financial assistance programs, both federal and state, as well as private financing. Each program has different requirements and application instructions. Student loans, grants and scholarships are available to those who qualify.
For complete information on current tuition costs, please see the Academic Catalog.
The best way for us to understand your financial needs is to meet in person. Call (602) 492-1086 to set an appointment with our Student Finance Department so we can help you develop your personalized financial plan to achieve your educational goals.
Program Availability
Carrington College is proud to offer our Dental Assisting program at 14 locations around the U.S. To learn more about our locations, explore their pages.
Accreditation & Approvals
Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC), 428 J Street, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95814; 415- 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at www.accjc.org/.
For comprehensive information on Carrington’s accreditation and approvals, visit carrington.edu/accreditation.
The Dental Board of California, 2005 Evergreen Street, Suite 1550, Sacramento, CA95815, 877-729-7789, www.dbc.ca.gov/, approves the Carrington College Dental Assisting programs at the Pleasant Hill, Sacramento, San Jose, San Leandro and Stockton campuses.
Carrington’s Health Studies Associate of Science Degree program provides an opportunity for individuals to build on prior education to earn the educational credential that is often needed for advancement in the health and wellness fields.
The Health Studies AS Degree program is an online degree-completion option that offers students a broad base of general education course offerings that can be completed in as few as 7 months. Visit Our Health Studies Page
Check out our guide on becoming a Dental Assistant.
Are you interested in dentistry and passionate about helping people? Then a dental assistant career could be for you. Dental assistants work in dental offices under the supervision of dentists. They have excellent interpersonal, organizational, and listening skills.
Dental Assisting FAQ
How long is the dental assisting program?
A Dental Assisting program may take up to two years to complete, depending on whether it’s a certificate, diploma, or degree. However, Carrington College’s Dental Assisting certificate program can be completed in as little as nine months.
What do you need to be a dental assistant?
It may be helpful to enroll in a Dental Assisting program for relevant experience and training. Most programs are offered by community colleges, although they also may be offered by vocational or technical schools. Students typically must have a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll.
What is a dental assistant?
A dental assistant helps dentists and dental hygienists by perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Caring for patients
- Handling dental records
- Scheduling appointments
- Cleaning dental equipment
(See What does a dental assistant do? for more details about their role in a dentist office)
Is it worth being a dental assistant?
Dental assisting can be an exciting career path if you have an interest in oral health care. Ultimately, the decision lies with you on whether a dental assistant certificate is worth it or not.
How much is dental assistant school?
At Carrington College, our tuition differs by the campus location. Learn more about the cost of the program by reading the Carrington College Academic Catalog.
Is a dental assistant a good career?
Dental assisting can be a great choice for those interested in doing a variety of tasks and helping patients with oral care. It’s also a path that offers the potential for career advancement in a stable environment. If all of this sounds good to you, then a Dental Assisting program at Carrington College might be the route to your success.
How long is the dental assisting program?
A Dental Assisting program may take up to two years to complete, depending on whether it’s a certificate, diploma, or degree. However, Carrington College’s Dental Assisting certificate program can be completed in as little as nine months.
What do you need to be a dental assistant?
It may be helpful to enroll in a Dental Assisting program for relevant experience and training. Most programs are offered by community colleges, although they also may be offered by vocational or technical schools. Students typically must have a high school diploma or equivalent to enroll.
What is a dental assistant?
A dental assistant helps dentists and dental hygienists by perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Caring for patients
- Handling dental records
- Scheduling appointments
- Cleaning dental equipment
(See What does a dental assistant do? for more details about their role in a dentist office)
Is it worth being a dental assistant?
Dental assisting can be an exciting career path if you have an interest in oral health care. Ultimately, the decision lies with you on whether a dental assistant certificate is worth it or not.
How much is dental assistant school?
At Carrington College, our tuition differs by the campus location. Learn more about the cost of the program by reading the Carrington College Academic Catalog.
Is a dental assistant a good career?
Dental assisting can be a great choice for those interested in doing a variety of tasks and helping patients with oral care. It’s also a path that offers the potential for career advancement in a stable environment. If all of this sounds good to you, then a Dental Assisting program at Carrington College might be the route to your success.