Online Dental Assistant Certification Training
Prepare for NELDA certification and take the next steps toward DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification with CareerStep’s online Dental Assistant Training.
Online Dental Assistant Certification Training
Prepare for NELDA certification and take the next steps toward DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification with CareerStep’s online Dental Assistant Training.
Become a Dental Assistant Online
Our flexible, online Dental Assistant Program is designed to help you prepare to build the skills to start a new career.
Through our courses, you’ll build clinical and academic knowledge that aligns with industry-recognized certification exams like the National Entry-Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) component exams through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), the price of which is covered by your program cost. Your coursework will help prepare you to sit for the American Medical Technologist (AMT) Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification, allowing you to build a strong resume.
You’ll experience hands-on training to apply what you learned online to real-world situations through a required externship, allowing you to cement your skills and prepare for work at a dental office near you.
The Online Dental Assistant Certification Program At-a-Glance
12 Months Full Access | Exam Voucher Included
Dental Assistant Job Description
As the primary point of contact for patients, dental assistants play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the office. They manage patient records, schedule appointments, take X-rays and imprints, and even help the dentist during procedures.
A good dental assistant provides professional and courteous customer care that makes every patient feel comfortable and informed.
Dental Assistant Training Program Details
Our program is divided into 30 bite-sized individual courses.
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.
3 Reasons to Complete Your Dental Assistant Certification With CareerStep
1. Start today.
Begin your training right now – no waiting.
2. Learn your way.
Self-paced career training that fits any schedule.
3. Apply for jobs.
With industry-relevant training and certification.
Ready to Dive In?
Sign up online now to start the Dental Assistant Certification program.
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What You'll Learn
Our online dental assistant training delivers on all fronts: skills-based instruction, 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.
Financial Management
Understand financial management systems, collections, insurance fraud, and claim-form processing.
Dental Assistant Certifications
CareerStep’s Dental Assistant Program prepares you to sit for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) component exams from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), and sets you on the pathway for your Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification. Earning your CDA certificate from DANB is a milestone achievement that distinguishes your resume and showcases your professional experience. Your Dental Assistant Program will also help you prepare for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam from American Medical Technologists (AMT).
National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) Component Exams
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Online Dental Assistant Training 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. Please keep in mind that while clinical hours are required as part of your program, 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 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 who certify using online dental assistant programs that are accredited by the AMT 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 and includes a voucher that you can use for the three component exams (RHS, ICE, and AMP).
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 helps prepare 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. As part of your program, you’ll receive a voucher to cover the cost of the NELDA exam.
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.
MyCAA learners will have the option of covering the NELDA exams or the AMT RDA exam ($135).
Prepare for a New Career.
This fully online dental assistant program includes training designed by experts in the field, aligned to industry-recognized certification exams to help you better prepare to take the next steps toward a rewarding career in the dental industry.
$3,799 for full program access
$3,199.00 for eligible MyCAA and ACA learners
Or call now: 800-411-7073 >>
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.
MyCAA Funding
The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program offers funding for this program for eligible military spouses. This funding can cover a portion of the cost of approved CareerStep courses.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “Dental Assistants.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed March 25, 2024.
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.