California Dental Assistant Schools and Salary Guide

If you ever thought about working in a healthcare field that does not require years of schooling, becoming a dental assistant may be your chance.

You might need additional schooling even after being hired if you want to perform advanced duties.

However, you can at least you can start working in less than a year.

Licensing Requirements to Become a California Dental Assistant

An Unlicensed Dental Assistant must work under the supervision of a dentist.

This position requires at least eight hours of infection control training, and all trainees must take Basic Life Support training provided by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.

Additional requirements apply, such as the need for a two-hour course approved by the California Board of Dentistry.

Students who want to become Registered Dental assistants (RDA) should take postsecondary training that would prepare them for California State Registered Dental Assistant Examination.

These schools must have an affiliation with the American Dental Association Commission on Accreditation and the Dental Board of California.

5 Dental Assistant Schools in California

1. Citrus College

The 31-credit Citrus College Certificate in Dental Assisting program covers topics such as chairside assisting, oral health care, and dental anatomy.

When enrolled in this coursework, you also become familiar with the dental materials used in restoring or repairing teeth and gum issues.

Additionally, you will understand the importance of infection control and how to properly sterilize all dental instruments.

Moreover, you will receive some radiology training and learn how to handle multiple patients.

One aspect of dental care you would need to know includes keeping them calm while preparing them for root canals, tooth extractions, and cleanings or cavity fillings.

To enhance your learning experience, you will receive the chance to participate in hands-on learning, which will also prepare you for certification exams.

2. Chaffey College

Your one-semester training at Chaffey College will teach you how to sterilize equipment and keep dental areas sanitized to prevent infection.

In addition, you will experience what it is like to work with real patients and a dentistry team.

Beyond this, your instructors will show you how to take and process dental X-rays.

Probably the most important part of your training will be how to prepare patients for routine cleanings, fillings, extractions, or restorative dental procedures.

Your coursework and related hands-on practice will also include knowing what to tell patients concerning their oral hygiene.

You may have to perform basic office duties as a dental assistant, such as scheduling appointments, maintaining patient records, and handling financial transactions.

If working toward an RDA certification, you will also be taught how to take impressions and fabricate temporary crowns, place and remove rubber dams, and apply pit and fissure sealants.

3. City College of San Francisco (CCSF)

You can complete the CCSF Dental Assisting certificate of achievement in one year full-time or two years part-time.

Learn basic dental anatomy and dental charting and become acquainted with required dental materials.

Your training will also teach you proper dental instrument sterilization methods.

In addition, your instructors will show you how to perform dental radiography scans.

To prepare you for handling real patients, you will gain hands-on experience assisting with dental lab and office too.

This school also has a two-year associate degree program, and it prepares you for your California Dental Board exam.

4. Orange Coast College

The one-year Orange Coast College Dental Assisting, Registered Certificate of Achievement program will prepare you for work as a certified dental assistant with both classroom and onside practical training.

This coursework will teach you how to take x-rays, maintain patient records, and schedule treatment or checkup appointments.

Your training at Orange Coast will guide you in the right way to sterilize instruments and prepare patients for dental procedures.

Handling patients requires that you can help them feel more at ease before they see the dentist, but it also involves providing compassionate post-operative care.

The interpersonal aspect of dentistry comes with practice, and so does taking teeth impressions and becoming comfortable teaching patients about oral hygiene, which you will learn.

5. Sacramento City College (Los Rios District)

You can start with the 34.5-credit certificate of Dental Assisting training at Sacramento City College.

Then, you later may work and continue to earn your associate degree if you want.

When enrolled in this program, you’ll practice taking X-rays and learn how a dentist would place fillings.

Additional dental assisting tasks your instructors will demonstrate for you include how to maintain a clean and safe work environment, which includes dental instrument sterilization.

Your training will also prepare you to become the voice of reason on oral hygiene.

This means teaching patients how to clean and take care of their teeth at home.

First aid, scheduling patient appointments, and practicing showing compassion to several patients at once are also part of this coursework.

Your time spent in this certificate program will prepare you to meet your most current dental board exam requirements.

Dental Assistant Schools in California – Summary Table

Salary

A range of salaries from $40,429 and $50,579 per year have been calculated as of April 2022.

The average amount of money made per year totals approximately $45,584 for California Dental Assistants.

You have quite a few certification options available to you, some of which could push you beyond $55,127 per year.

Look for jobs in multiple cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Alhambra, Berkeley, Sacramento, or Brentwood.

Regional Salary in California