The Online Dental Assistant Entry Level Program
Prepare for certification and kickstart a new career as a dental assistant.
You’ll always speak with a real human. Our Career Advisors know their stuff. And they’re super nice.
The Online Dental Assistant Entry Level Program
Prepare for certification and kickstart a new career as a dental assistant.
Dental Assistant Training Online
Designed by experienced professionals, CareerStep’s online Dental Assistant Training Program is aligned to industry-recognized certification exams so you can take the next steps in your career with confidence. Through your courses, you’ll build the knowledge and clinical skills that can help you prepare for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) component exams offered through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), as well as get hands-on experience in a real dental office through a 100-hour externship.
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12 Months of Full Access
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$44,820 Median Salary*
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7% Predicted 10-Year Job Growth*
Unleash your full potential for a more fulfilling life and career. We’ll help.
6 Reasons to Complete Your Dental Assistant Training With CareerStep
Learn around your schedule.
Our program is self-paced so you can learn new skills around your schedule. You’ll have 12 months of full program access to complete your courses.†
Pay painlessly.
Our programs are designed to help you succeed—not just professionally, but financially. We make it super affordable to gain all the knowledge and skills needed for your new career.
Learn by doing.
CareerStep’s Dental Assistant program includes a 100-hour clinical experience at a local dental office so you get legit hands-on experience.
Get certified.
The Dental Assistant Program can help you prepare for NELDA or AMT Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification, and is the first step on the pathway toward earning your Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) credential.
Focus on the future.
Becoming a dental assistant can be a very rewarding and stable career, offering consistent work hours and competitive pay.*
Love what you do.
Dental assistants make a difference! You can prepare for a rewarding job you love – all from home.
An American Medical Technologists (AMT) Approved Program
The CareerStep Dental Assistant program is approved by the American Medical Technologists (AMT) to fully prepare you for the Registered Dental Assistant exam.
1. Start today.
Begin your training (and transformation) right now.
2. Learn your way.
Complete your training on your own terms.
Get hire-ready.
Prepare to take valuable certification exams.
Ready to Dive In?
Sign up online now to start the Dental Assistant program.
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Program Details
Our online Dental Assistant Training combines coursework and hands-on experience to help you prepare to take the next steps toward a new career with confidence. You’ll learn essential knowledge and clinical skills that are aligned to industry certification exams, like the NELDA component exams and can also help you prepare to sit for the AMT Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification. Then you’ll participate in a 100-hour externship to practice what you learned in real-world situations!
- > 12 Months of Full Access
- > Self-Paced Study
- > Anywhere, Anytime Learning
- > 1:1 Support
What You'll Learn
This program delivers on all fronts: skills-based training, in-depth knowledge, and unparalleled certification prep. Everything you need to start your dental assistant career.
Intro & Ethics
Get your bearings. Learn what dental assisting entails, including essential skills and strategies, certifications, and roles within the dental healthcare team.
Anatomy & Dentistry Principles
Learn all about the teeth and tissues, disease transmission, hygiene, and the procedures used to provide dental care.
Instrument Use & Care
Identify dental instruments and their uses, and learn how to clean and care for these tools.
Soft Skills
Discover the value of soft skills in the workplace and learn to develop them in real-world settings.
Dental Assistant Program FAQs
Are clinical hours included in my training?
Clinical hours are an essential component of your training—particularly as you work towards certification and potential employment. They give you a chance to test your current skill level and put all your new knowledge to work in real-world settings. That’s why we work with a vast network of healthcare organizations to provide these hands-on learning experiences. Please keep in mind that while clinical hours are included as part of your course, placement is based on a number of factors—including geography and availability—so we can’t guarantee that you’ll find placement in your area.
How much do dental assistants make?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants make an average of $44,820 per year.*
What’s the job market like for dental assistants?
Many opportunities are available across the country, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the demand for dental assistants will grow over 7% in the next 10 years.*
What does a dental assistant do?
Dental assistants provide dentists with chairside support during exams and procedures; greet, seat, and situate patients; sterilize and prepare instruments; take dental impressions; manage office records; schedule and confirm appointments; advise patients on basic at-home oral care; and sometimes take X-rays.
What are dental assistants not allowed to do?
It varies by state, but most dental assistants cannot administer anesthesia or perform most direct-contact dental procedures. Your employer will clarify.
What do I need to do to get NELDA certified?
The National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) certification from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) has 3 component exams: the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, the Infection Control Exam (ICE), and the Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP) exam. Your CareerStep Dental Assistant Program will prepare you to sit for the full NELDA certification.
Once you have completed all three of the NELDA component exams, you will need to meet the work experience requirement criteria of 300 hours, to meet the full NELDA certification.
What do I need to do to get my CDA certification?
Before you can sit for your DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certificate, you’ll need to:
- Pass the RHS and ICE components of the NELDA exam
- 3,500 hours of work experience
- Pass the General Chair Assisting exam
Your CareerStep Dental Assistant program prepares you to sit for the three exam components of the NELDA certification and includes the coursework for your General Chair Assisting exam- which is required for CDA certification.
What do I need to do to get my RDA certification?
Our Dental Assistant Program helps you prepare for the AMT Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam both through your course curriculum and by helping you prepare for an entry level job as a dental assistant. To qualify to take the RDA exam, you’ll need to meet one of the following criteria:
- Graduate from, or be scheduled to graduate from an accredited or approved dental program
- Complete a military dental training dental program and have a minimum of 1 year of experience as a dental assistant.
- Or have a minimum of three years (5,250 hours) experience working as a dental assistant.
Training People Trust
Get Trained. Get Hired.
This program includes unparalleled training, career support, and coaching. It’s a faster, cheaper alternative to traditional schooling.
$3,799.00 for full program access
Need a Hand With the Fee? We Got Your Back.
Payment Plans
It’s cheaper to pay up front, but coming up with a lump sum can be tricky. We offer a monthly payment plan for those who need it. (Credit problems = no biggie.)
MyCAA Grants
The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program offers funding for eligible military spouses. You could take the CareerStep dental assisting program without even a glance at the bank account.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “Dental Assistants.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed September 20, 2023.
Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.