40 Weeks
Dental Assistant Program
Train for a dental assisting career with hands-on practice in patient care, radiology, and chairside procedures. Prepare for certification exams and clinical roles.
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Empower Your Future in Dental Healthcare Sector
The dental assistant program at Western Community College prepares the students to perform the duties of a Certified Dental Assistant as outlined in the British Columbia College Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) By-Laws under the Health Professions Act of British Columbia.
The outcomes and objectives upon which students will learn also include elements of dental assisting practice which are:
- Professional conduct
- Safe, ethical and professional practice
- Communication
- Collaborative practice/teamwork
- Problem solving and critical thinking
- Dental assisting process of care
- Provision of chairside assisting skills and clinical treatment
- Provision of dental office administration skills
- Provision of dental laboratory skills
- Health promotion and education for individuals and communities
Next Intakes
Contact our admissions team today or request information on upcoming program start dates.
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible for the National Dental Assistant Examining Board (NDAEB) written exam and clinical practice evaluation.
Career Opportunities in Dental Health Care
Advance Your Dental Career
After completion of this program and meeting provincial regulatory requirements, the graduates will be able to work as:
- Certified Dental Assistant in various areas such as:
- General Dentistry
- Specialty Dental Offices
- Dental Department (Hospitals, Public Health)
- Other Career Opportunities:
- Dental Sales
- Dental Manufacturing Company
- Dental Laboratory
- Education
Why Study at Western Community College
Western Community College offers students an inclusive and vibrant learning environment, with dedicated support services to ensure your academic success and personal well-being.
- Installment-based, low tuition fee.
- Choose weekday, weekend, or evening classes to fit your schedule.
- Part-time or full-time class schedule.
- Free CLB preparation classes (*Conditions Apply).
Begin Your Path in HEALTHCARE Career
Admission Requirements
Grade 12 or Equivalent or Mature Student Status and language proficiency requirement.
To demonstrate language proficiency, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:
Option 1: Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8–12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages.
This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program, or providing international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS.
2 years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (includes international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS).
*Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
Option 3: Standardized Language Test Achievement of minimum scores on a recognized standardized language test. Test results should be valid at the time of enrollment.
| Name of English language assessment/test | Minimum score(s)/level(s)* |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Minimum overall score of 5.5 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT | Minimum overall score of 46 |
| Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) | Minimum overall score of 40 |
| Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) | Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5. |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | Minimum overall score of 95 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | Minimum overall score of 43 |
| Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE) Institutions may include other Cambridge Qualifications at a higher level (i.e., C2 Proficiency (CPE)). | Minimum overall score of 160 or “C” |
| Cambridge Linguaskill | Minimum overall B2 level |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic | Minimum overall B2 level |
| The Michigan English Test (MET) | Minimum overall B2 level |
| iTEP Academic | Minimum overall score of 3.5 |
| EIKEN | Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1 |
Validity period of above Language Assessment Tests is two years.
Option 4:
Mature student applicants:
Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above:
Applicant provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, and Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores:
| Accuplacer Component | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 235 |
| Reading | 235 |
| WritePlacer | 4 |
Note: Assessment of Prior Education Where English is the Language of Instruction
As an option for proof of English language proficiency, institutions may accept evidence that an applicant has successfully completed a specified minimum of full-time secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction. Documentation demonstrating this evidence must be provided in English.
The PTIRU considers education completed (in English) in the following countries as counting toward an assessment of prior education in English:
The following countries are recognized for education completed in English:
| American Samoa | Dominica | Lesotho | St. Kitts & Nevis |
| Anguilla | Falkland Islands | Liberia | St. Lucia |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Fiji | Malta | St. Vincent & the Grenadines |
| Australia | Gambia | Mauritius | Tanzania |
| Bahamas | Ghana | Montserrat | Trinidad & Tobago |
| Barbados | Gibraltar | New Zealand | Turks & Caicos Islands |
| Belize | Grenada | Nigeria | Uganda |
| Bermuda | Guam | Seychelles | United Kingdom |
| Botswana | Guyana | Sierra Leone | US Virgin Islands |
| British Virgin Islands | Ireland | Singapore | USA |
| Canada | Jamaica | South Africa | Zambia |
| Cayman Islands | Kenya | St. Helena | Zimbabwe |
Prior to practicum start date:
- Standard First Aid and CPR-C with AED or Basic Life Support
- Proof of a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test.
All immunizations should be up to date, including:
- hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- measles/mumps/rubella
- diphtheria
- pertussis
- varicella
- polio
- influenza (required annually)
Apply Now
Take the next step toward your future!
Gain the skills you need for success and take the first step toward a rewarding career. Enroll today to learn essential industry knowledge, enhance your expertise, and open doors to new opportunities.
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Core Courses in Dental Assistant Program
Our curriculum is designed to equip you with the practical skills and knowledge required for a successful career as a Dental Assistant.
This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of PostSecondary Education and Future Skills.
1120
Total program
hours
160
Practice Experience HOurs
$33
Average hourly rate
97%
Graduate Employment Rate
The following list of courses does not indicate the sequence of delivery. Courses are offered in accordance with prerequisite requirements.
| COURSE NAME | HOURS |
|---|---|
| Applied Dental Sciences | 60 hours |
| Dental Assisting Pre-Clinical Practice I | 100 hours |
| Dental Infection Prevention and Control Procedures | 40 hours |
| Dental Records and Emergency Management | 50 hours |
| Dental Radiography | 60 hours |
| Dental Assisting Pre-Clinical Practice II | 110 hours |
| Preventive Dental Procedures and Clinical Practice | 140 hours |
| Prosthodontics & Dental Laboratory Procedures | 80 hours |
| Community Dental Health | 30 hours |
| Dental Office Management | 50 hours |
| Dental Specialties | 80 hours |
| Direct Patient Care | 160 hours |
| Practicum | 160 hours |
| Total | 1120 hours |
Program Duration
Full Time: 36 Weeks
*Other scheduling options are available.
Fee Structure
Tuition & Financing
We offer competitive tuition rates and flexible financing options to make your education at Western Community College both accessible and affordable.
BC Student Loan
In-house Financing
Student Line of Credit
Scholarships
Our dedicated Financial Aid Officers will help you every step of the way.
Finance Options-
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