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Do you want to become a Dental Assistant?
You’re on the right path!
Many people are becoming interested in Dental Assisting due to its rewarding career, potential for professional growth, and personal satisfaction.
Aside from personal satisfaction and professional growth, it offers a lucrative income and an in-demand career.
As a dental assistant, you are not just an aid to the Dentist and hygienists but also significant in ensuring patients will have a pleasant experience.
However, you must have certificates and training experience to perform the job effectively.
If you’re in Bakersfield, CA, check out our school list for you to kickstart your dental assisting career.
1 Central California Dental Academy
The Central California Dental Academy (CCDA) is situated in central California.
It is known for its quality education in dental-related programs.
CCDA recognizes the surging demand for qualified professionals in the dental field.
It creates specialized courses to give students both hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge.
It offers the following methods: RDAEF2 Program, Dental Assisting, Sealant, Radiology, 8-hour Infection Control, Coronal Polish, and Interim Therapeutic Restoration courses.
Its mission is to enhance the educational landscape for dental professionals.
The academy aspires to impart the requisite skills to provide students with top-notch dental care to their communities.
About The Dental Assisting Program
CCDA tailors a contemporary Dental Assisting Program to equip students for a dynamic dental assistant career in just 16 weeks.
The curriculum anchors dental knowledge and techniques to make students indispensable assets in the dental field.
The program limits its set to only 12 students and requires a non-refundable $500 deposit, which is included in the total tuition of $3,800.
It blends learning, both online and hands-on laboratory experiences.
When students successfully complete the program, they’ll receive:
- Certificate of Completion
- CPR Certification
- Dental Practice Act Certification
- 8-Hour Infection Control Certification
- Radiation Safety Certification
- Coronal Polish Certification
Address: 2540 G St, Bakersfield, CA 93301, USA
2 San Joaquin Valley College - Bakersfield
San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) is a private college creating professional success through Baccalaureate and Associate of Science Degrees and Certificates in medical, business, and technical fields.
It emphasizes a combination of hands-on and academic instruction to address the educational and employment demands of the community.
San Joaquin Valley College holds the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) accreditation.
Additionally, SJVC is approved by the California Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) as a private institution.
It ensures compliance with the standards set in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 and relevant regulations.
Prospective students are advised to review the college catalog and the School Performance Fact Sheet before enrollment.
About The Dental Assisting Program
SJVC Bakersfield offers a comprehensive Dental Assisting program training to aspirants eager to support dental offices administratively and clinically.
The program will have practical sessions and real-world scenarios to ensure students are job-ready.
It covers the following:
- Orientation to Dentistry: An introduction to the oral environment within the dental sphere.
- Dental Anatomy & Patient Management: Detailed study on head and neck anatomy.
- Preventative Clinical Procedures: Specialized training in preventive dentistry, emphasizing coronal polish and pit and fissure sealants.
- Core Dental Assisting Skills: A comprehensive dive into dental anatomy, radiology, dental practice management, and dental software.
After graduating from the program, you will be well-equipped for entry-level roles in dental offices across California.
As a dental assistant, one can anticipate a range of responsibilities, such as:
- Assisting the dentist directly at the chair side.
- Taking accurate dental impressions.
- Conducting coronal polishing and fluoride treatments.
- Handling and processing X-rays.
- Implementing infection control procedures.
- Applying pit and fissure sealants.
Joining this program at SJVC opens doors to a fulfilling career, blending technical expertise and patient care.
Address: 201 New Stine Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93309, United States
3 High Desert Medical College
High Desert Medical College is a prominent fixture in the educational landscape and is accredited under Legacy Education.
With over a decade of dedication to education, HDMC is fully equipped with experts to create a comprehensive career training approach.
Its mission is to prepare students with industry-aligned knowledge in health sectors.
It emphasizes high-quality education and robust placement support to ensure students confidently enter their chosen fields.
The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) accredits HDMC.
It is a Licensed Vocational Nursing program with the stamp of approval from the California Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians and more
About The Dental Assisting Program
HDMC offers hybrid learning, hands-on practicals, and online modules in the Dental Assisting program.
It enables you to join an enriching healthcare journey in 34 weeks for day classes and 42 weeks for evening classes.
The total clock hours are 780 hours, 620 hours for the classroom, and 160 hours for clinical externship.
The program covers the following:
- Dental Anatomy & Infection Control
- Dental Assistant Procedures
- Chair Side Assisting.
- Dental Radiography & Imaging
- Dental Practice Office Management
- Clinical Externship
Aside from technical learnings, you will also learn how to:
- Warmly welcome patients.
- Efficiently assist dentists and hygienists during procedures.
- Expertly administer X-rays.
- Accurately take dental impressions and fabricate dental molds or crowns.
After you graduate, you will earn a Certificate of Completion, a Dental Assisting diploma, and an X-ray certification.
It also encourages you to pursue additional industry certifications, such as those the American Medical Certification Association (AMCA) offers.
Address: 2000 24th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301, United States
4 UEI College
UEI College envisions a brighter future for every student.
With over 40 years of industry experience, they are not just an educational institution but your partner towards a fulfilling career.
It transmits a positive transformation to ensure you have the skills, tools, and support to navigate your chosen field successfully.
UEI curriculum curriculum emphasizes hands-on training within a concise timeframe of just ten months.
Its classes are intimate class sizes to make it more personalized, ensuring no one is left behind.
The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET) and Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) accredits UEI.
About The Dental Assisting Program
UEI College’s Dental Assisting Program combines both online and in-class learning.
It’s a comprehensive program that equips students with essential skills in dental assistance to have a promising career.
It runs for ten months with hands-on experience in clinical, radiographic, and preventive dentistry procedures.
It also has a mandatory 170-hour externship, ensuring students gain hands-on experience before graduation.
Skills acquired through this program:
- Assisting in standard dental procedures.
- Sterilizing and disinfecting dental equipment.
- Scheduling and updating patient records.
- Educating on preventative dentistry and oral hygiene.
- Front-office administrative tasks and back-office clinical duties.
The course will cover the following:
- Dental Science/Medical Emergencies
- Chairside Assisting
- Radiography
- Dental Material
- Preventative Dentistry
- Dental Specialties
- Prosthodontics/Administrative Assistant
- Externship
After graduation, you will earn a Dental Assisting diploma and certificate of completion.
Address: 3737 Rosedale Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93308
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
|
#1 | Central California Dental Academy |
|
#2 | San Joaquin Valley College - Bakersfield |
|
#3 | High Desert Medical College |
|
#4 | UEI College |
Read the full guide: How to Become a Dental Assistant
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Dental Assisting by State