Online Dental Assistant Programs in Los Angeles

The North Orange County ROP Dental Assistant Training Program offers a 6-7 month course with both in-person and online components. Classes are held in the evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., complemented by an additional four hours of online coursework each week. This hybrid schedule allows students to complete part of the curriculum remotely, covering essential topics through online lectures and assignments.

The curriculum prepares students for entry-level dental assistant roles, focusing on core skills like chairside assistance, infection control, and dental radiology. Upon completing the classroom portion in May, students progress to a mandatory externship from May to June, which provides real-world experience in a dental setting.

Graduates receive key certifications, including the California Dental X-Ray Certification, 8-hour Infection Control, and 2-hour Dental Practice Act Certification, all of which are recognized by the California Dental Board. Additionally, students must maintain a valid AHA BLS/CPR certification throughout the program.

Charter College’s Dental Assisting program is structured as a 10-month, blended learning format that includes both online and in-person components. Students complete assignments such as reading, exercises, and presentations online, while attending in-person labs to develop hands-on skills in a clinical setting. Classes include online learning in courses like Compliance in Health Care Environments, Dental Pharmacology, and Orthodontics and Administrative Procedures, making it easier for students to manage other commitments while pursuing their education.

The program covers essential topics like Preventative Dentistry, Radiography, and Dental Specialties, ensuring that students acquire both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Online components are supplemented with labs that focus on hands-on skills, such as chairside assisting, infection control, and diagnostic radiograph processing.

In addition, the program requires a 180-hour externship at a local dental office, allowing students to apply their skills in a real-world setting. This blended approach prepares students for entry-level roles by combining flexible online coursework with essential, supervised clinical training.

UEI College’s Dental Assistant Program spans 10 months and uses a hybrid learning model, combining online and in-person components. Students attend both online coursework and on-campus lab sessions, preparing them for practical dental assisting roles. Each week includes online sessions covering key theoretical subjects, such as dental science, medical emergencies, and radiography. This setup allows students to manage part of their coursework remotely.

The curriculum emphasizes both front-office and back-office skills. Online classes cover dental office administration, patient scheduling, and record management, while in-person labs provide hands-on training in sterilizing dental equipment, assisting dentists chairside, and performing radiographic procedures.

The program culminates in a 170-hour externship at a local dental clinic, offering students real-world experience and preparing them to assist in various dental settings. This blend of online learning, practical labs, and on-site externship enables students to gain the necessary skills for entry-level roles in dental offices, clinics, and other healthcare settings.

The Concorde Dental Assistant Program is designed to be completed in 10 months with a blended format that includes both online and on-ground courses. Students complete 890 contact hours, with up to 445 of these hours available online. The program covers essential topics such as dental terminology, patient care, diagnostics, and radiology. Courses like “Introduction to Dental Assisting” and “Materials and Procedures” are partially online, with online lectures and assignments supplemented by in-person labs.

The curriculum also includes 320 lab hours and a 160-hour externship where students gain hands-on experience in dental settings. This externship provides supervised training in real-world clinical environments, allowing students to apply their learned skills. Upon completing the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the California State Board Examination for Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification.

The Dental Assisting / RDA Course at Dental Career Institute combines online study and hands-on training. This program uses a “Home Study via Electronic Media” format, which allows students to complete 289 hours of coursework online. Additionally, students attend 276 hours of live instruction in lab settings and 266 hours of clinical instruction for hands-on practice in a supervised environment.

Throughout the program, students learn essential dental assisting skills, such as chairside assistance, radiography, coronal polishing, and pit and fissure sealant application. The curriculum meets California Dental Board standards, preparing students to perform various dental tasks required in clinics.

The course also requires specific prerequisites, including a high school diploma, basic immunizations, and CPR certification. Upon completion, students may pursue certification as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) by meeting state licensure requirements. The total cost of the program is $13,000, with a flexible payment plan available for students.

Cerritos College’s Dental Assisting program offers a 10-month Certificate in Dental Assisting and an Associate in Arts degree, with a blend of online and in-person components. The online classes, conducted through a hybrid format, allow students to complete coursework remotely, including theoretical subjects like dental science and radiography. Specific classes require students to participate in scheduled online sessions, while others permit asynchronous learning.

Lab sessions are held in person, covering hands-on skills such as radiography and chairside assisting. Students complete these lab requirements on campus to gain practical experience. Additionally, the program includes a 6-week summer session focused on clinical training, where students work in selected dental offices for real-world patient care.

After completing the certificate program, graduates are eligible to sit for the California State Board Examination and the Dental Assisting National Board Examination, qualifying them as Registered Dental Assistants.

The Dental Assistant program at National Career College offers a hybrid class format, allowing students to complete part of their coursework online. In the hybrid option, students attend in-person classes on campus Monday and Tuesday evenings, while Wednesday and Thursday evening sessions are conducted online, offering flexibility for students with varying schedules.

The curriculum includes foundational courses covering essential topics in dental assisting, such as patient care techniques, dental ethics, and the latest dental technologies. Hands-on lab work is performed on campus to ensure students gain practical skills, while online classes deliver theoretical components that students can complete from home.

An externship is integrated into the program, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world dental setting under professional supervision. This externship is a critical component, providing practical experience before entering the workforce. Upon graduation, students receive certifications in Radiation Safety, Infection Control, and Coronal Polishing, meeting California state requirements.

The Dental Assistant program at Downey Adult School is an 800-hour course spread over 26 weeks, which includes 18 weeks of classes, 1 week of career preparation, and 7 weeks of externship. Classes run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Online class options are available, allowing students to attend some sessions remotely. However, students must also attend a mandatory orientation in person or online before enrollment.

Course topics cover core competencies like Infection Control Certification, Dental Radiation Safety, the California Dental Practice Act, and HIPAA compliance. The program also includes Coronal Polishing Certification and training for dental billing, coding, and front office skills, preparing students for administrative roles in addition to clinical work.

A 200-hour clinical externship at a school-approved dental site is required to complete the program. This hands-on experience counts as nine months toward the 15-month work experience required to sit for the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) state exam. Upon completion, students are eligible for various certifications aligned with California’s RDA requirements, with additional support through financial aid for those who qualify.

American Career College’s Dental Assisting program follows a blended format, combining online and in-person instruction. Students attend on-campus classes only two days per week, with the remaining coursework completed online, allowing for flexible scheduling. This format is available across all three campus locations: Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County.

The curriculum includes modules covering essential topics such as Fundamentals of Dental Assisting, Restorative Dentistry, and Radiography. Online modules are structured to cover theoretical aspects, while in-person sessions focus on hands-on skills in labs. Weekend in-person classes are also available at the Los Angeles campus.

An externship is integrated into the program, requiring 180 hours of practical experience at a dental site. This externship provides students with direct exposure to real-world dental environments under supervision. The entire program takes approximately 10 months to complete, providing students with a comprehensive education that meets California’s requirements for certifications in X-ray, Coronal Polishing, and Pit and Fissure Sealants.