ADVANCE YOUR

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

CAREER

Train to be a valuable dental team member, assisting with sterilizing equipment, preparing patients and exam rooms, scheduling and administering paperwork, and more. The Dental Assistant program from Professional Workforce Development, sponsored by Southern Adventist University, offers you the ideal opportunity to get trained and ready for a fast-growing healthcare career. Dental assistants are expected to see steady employment growth of a little over 10% — faster than the national average — over the next ten years. And through our Professional Workforce Development programs, you can get qualified for entry-level roles in this field in around 3.5 months.

INQUIRE TODAY
Ready to begin your career journey or have more questions? Connect with a Workforce Training Specialist today!
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14 Weeks

PROGRAM LENGTH

RDA

CERTIFICATIONS

$4,000.00*

Pay in full

TUITION

ISSUING AUTHORITY

*You can pay as little as $267 per month. For full payment options and different financing plans, including interest rates from external lenders, please talk to our enrollment team.

WHAT DOES A REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT DO?

Registered dental assistants are highly visible members of the dental practice team, providing support to dentists and dental hygienists. Their responsibilities include scheduling appointments, obtaining patient information and vital signs, performing diagnostic testing, taking x-rays, and assisting throughout visits and procedures.

After successfully completing the Dental Assistant program, students will be proficient in working under the direction of a dentist, performing a variety of tasks such as coronal polishing, sealant application, fluoride application, and topical anesthetic application.

WHERE DOES A REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT WORK?

Almost all dental assistants work in dentists’ offices.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED

Web browser with internet connection

Course registration & payment

Training Materials Provided

Expert-led video based training

eBook: Modern Dental Assisting (Saunders 13th Edition, Copyright 2021)

Competency assessments

National Certification exam fee

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

Outcomes

The demand for Registered Dental Assistants will continue to experience significant growth and, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment is expected to rise by around 11% by 2030.

  • Dental assistants can expect to earn a starting salary of between $19,000 and $45,000
  • Graduates of the dental assistant program will have acquired the skills necessary to work in a wide range of healthcare settings
  • Dental Assistant students will complete the program with a thorough understanding of dental anatomy and physiology, infection control, and radiation safety

Skills Learned

Upon completion of our dental assistant program you’ll learn a number of skills, including:

  • Recognize proper infection control procedures, hand washing, sterilization of equipment, disinfection of operatories, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), per Standard and Universal precautions
  • 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
  • Classify clinical tools, techniques, and materials used in four-handed dentistry
  • Discuss tooth numbering systems, dental charting, and scheduling patients according to treatment plan
  • Explain informed consent and patient education including oral hygiene instruction and post-treatment care
  • Ensure HIPAA, OSHA, FDA, and EPA compliance and follow CDC recommendations as applicable to protected health information, infection control, radiation safety, workplace safety, and controls and documentation
  • Apply operator and patient radiation safety principles and address patient safety concerns
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of radiology, including guidelines, regulations, and quality assurance in radiographic imaging and mounting
COURSES - 14 WEEKS
Professionalism in Allied Health
Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings
Dental Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology
Dental Assisting Essentials
Radiation Health and Safety in Dentistry

PROGRAM PREVIEW

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT JOB POSSIBILITIES

Portrait of a young girl getting a checkup at the dentist

Dental Assistant

$26,000 – $49,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

Dental Sales Representative

$26,000 – $49,000
ESTIMATED SALARY

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

The Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) credential is awarded by the private certification organization, American Medical Technologists (AMT), and taken in addition to any state licensing or regulatory requirements.

RDA

Registered
Dental Assistant

The purpose of this exam is to demonstrate entry-level competence in basic dental assisting duties; it does not qualify candidates for any advanced procedures or expanded functions in the role of dental assisting.

PLEASE NOTE: This program does not qualify for Dental Assistant licensing in the state of Montana. Each state’s dental board implements rules and regulations for delegating legally allowable duties to dental assistants. Passing the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam only conveys authority to perform these duties in those states that recognize these exams or this certification as meeting state dental assisting requirements.

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT PAYMENT OPTIONS

In addition to the following payment options, we offer special corporate volume pricing. Visit the Corporate page for details.

Pay in full using any major credit card, PayPal, or Venmo. Select “credit card” as your payment option.
Apply for PayPal Credit and pay zero interest if your balance is paid in full within 6-months. Complete a quick application and you’ll receive a credit decision within seconds.
Pay for your training with an education loan through Sallie Mae or Meritize. Complete the course registration process to reserve your seat using one of these options.

Many employers have education programs or will pay for continued education! Select “Corporate Invoice” if you need an invoice to process payment through company training tuition assistance/reimbursement plans. 

Download the free brochure below to your HR representative or manager and show them the benefits of gaining additional education!

DO YOU NEED HELP PAYING FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM?​

Many employers offer education assistance programs. Download the brochures to show your employer the benefit of upskilling their employees.

PROGRAM COMPARISONS

PROFESSIONAL WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Community College
Program & Tuition Cost
$5,000 average
Up to $20,000
Exam Fees, Books & Materials
Included
Up to $750
Job Ready In
3–6 months
24–48 months
Schedule Flexibility
On-demand 24/7
Set class schedule
Travel Requirements
None: 100% online
On-campus classrooms
Student Support
Personal Advisors: text, call and email access
Professors: scheduled office hours
Career Coaching
Exam-tailor + soft-skill training to build well-rounded careers
Exam-based + prerequisites and electives to meet credit
Content Delivery
3D animations, immersive environments, interactive activities, game-based learning
Professor lectures

MEET YOUR WORKFORCE TRAINING SPECIALIST!

Tracey is your Workforce Training Specialist.  She is here to help you understand your program of interest, payment options and succeed!  Get in touch with Tracey to learn more about your program, Southern Adventist University and how to achieve your workforce development goals!

FAQ

Top skills a dental assistant should possess include great communication, listening, attention to details, dexterity, organization, basic computer knowledge, and passion for helping patients

Dental assistant responsibilities include assisting with and providing direct patient care, sterilizing instruments, taking impressions, exposing dental X-rays from dental diagnostics, and performing office management tasks. While 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.

Many dental assistants will tell you that there is no typical day because every day brings something different. Depending on where you work, you may perform many tasks including providing care to patients, setting up for dental procedures, and running the front office. Your responsibilities very much depend on the dentist you work for.

You can work full-time or part-time as a dental assistant. Your position specifics and working hours will be determined by both your needs and the needs of your employer. Dental assistants can choose to work at one office or multiple offices to accommodate their personal schedule.

Dental assistants check-in the patient and prepare them for their appointment while a dental hygienist works directly with the patient to clean their teeth and check their mouth for any dental hygiene issues.

INTERESTED IN ANOTHER CERTIFICATE PROGRAM?

Founded in 1892, Southern Adventist University provides a quality, Christ-centered undergraduate and graduate education to approximately 2,700 students each year. Caring professors, hands-on training, and a wide selection of academic options prepare students for success, as demonstrated by our graduates’ impressive job placement numbers and high median starting salaries. Located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Southern’s 1,300-acre campus features nearly 40 miles of hiking and biking trails, a top-notch fitness center, and much more.

VIEW SOUTHERN'S DEGREE PROGRAMS

In addition to our certificate programs, Southern offers traditional college degrees with more than 100 academic options. View Southern’s Degrees

INVESTING IN A SOUTHERN DEGREE

Investing in a college degree is an important decision. Southern’s traditional degrees offer financial aid options for students. Learn about Southern’s Student Finance Options.