Clinical Dental Assistant

Prepare for the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Exam

Dental assistants play a valuable role in any dental care team, often handling a variety of tasks from assisting with treatment procedures to administrative duties. This 100% online course will help you gain the technical skills you need to join a dental office as a clinical dental assistant. Upon successful completion of this course, you will receive vouchers to sit for the Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology (AMP), Infection Control (ICE), and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) portions of the Dental Assisting National Board examinations.

A dental assistant holding dental tools.

Job Outlook for Clinical Dental Assistants

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of a clinical dental assistant is currently just over $40,000 per year. 

Employment is projected to grow by 11% through 2030, which is considered much faster than average. Ongoing research linking good dental health with good overall health is driving this growth as demand for preventative services continues to increase.

Course Objectives

  • Real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants
  • Essential information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care, and communication, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, assisting in specialty practices, employment strategies, and much more
  • Explore the basics of maintaining computerized clinical dental records using Dentrix Practice Management software

Prerequisites and Requirements

There are no prerequisites to complete this course. However, candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to sit for national certification exams.

Instructors

Cindy Lamkin

Cindy Lamkin has been employed in the dental field for over 20 years. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in dental hygiene and holds Registered Dental Assistant and Registered Dental Hygienist credentials. In addition to practicing clinical hygiene, she has also worked in dental office administration and treatment coordination. Her career includes general dentistry, as well as specialty practices of periodontics, endodontics, pedodontics, and orthodontics.

Registration and Enrollment

This is a self-paced course that can be completed 100% online. Open enrollment means you can start anytime.

Clinical Dental Assistant FAQs

Expand FAQ List

  • I.    The Dental Profession
    II.    Communication Skills
    III.    Ethics for the Dental Assistant
    IV.    Basic Dental Sciences
    V.    Dental Anatomy
    VI.    Oral Pathology
    VII.    Infection Control
    VIII.    Hazardous Materials
    IX.    Caring for Exceptional Patients
    X.    Pharmacology for the Dental Assistant
    XI.    Emergency Management
    XII.    Oral Health and Nutrition
    XIII.    The Dental Office
    XIV.    Dental Instruments
    XV.    Introduction to Chairside Assisting
    XVI.    New Patients and Charting
    XVII.    Introduction to Dentrix Learning Software (Optional)
    XVIII.    Anesthesia and Sedation
    XIX.    Preventative Care
    XX.    Radiation Health Safety
    XXI.    Extraoral and Digital Radiology 
    XXII.    Dental Emergency Procedures and Amalgam Restorations 
    XXIII.    Composite Procedures and Laboratory Materials 
    XXIV.    Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics 
    XXV.    Dental Specialties 
    XXVI.    Dental Implants and Fixed Prosthetics 
    XXVII.    Computerized Restorative Systems and Removable Prosthodontics 
    XXVIII.    Cosmetic Dentistry 
    XXIX.    Dental Practice Management 
    XXX.    Your Dental Career
     

Ready To Start?

This is a self-paced course that can be completed 100% online. Open enrollment means you can start anytime.