6 Best Dental Assistant Schools in San Diego, CA

San Diego Dental Careers is within the prestigious Hurst Dental Care.

Its program is crafted by experienced dentists who guarantee success.

Traditional RDA programs often involve lengthy classroom sessions, lasting 9-12 months, followed by a one-month unpaid internship.

At San Diego Dental Careers, it believes in learning on the job.

Its program prioritizes on-the-job training, taking you directly into dental offices where you earn while you learn.

This approach has made its program popular because dental assisting is best mastered through practical experience.

About The Dental Assisting Program

San Diego Dental Careers’ Dental Assisting program is a short course and less expensive designed to fast-track students’ entry into the dental field.

It emphasizes hands-on experience, allowing students to engage in patient care from the start.

This provides a secure and supported environment for students’ initial experiences.

Its program boasts a strong track record of finding employment after completing it.

The school does not guarantee placement, but the comprehensive program equips students with a Dental Assisting certificate, a COMDA-approved Radiation Safety Certificate (x-ray license), and CPR certification.

Its historical success stories show that many students secure job offers even before graduating.

California Dental Certifications (CDC) is a premier Dental Assisting and Dental Laboratory CAD/CAM training school.

It caters to individuals from newcomers exploring career options to professionals navigating California’s certification requirements.

The school has focused on assisting military spouses through the MyCAA Program for 14 years.

CDC creates a warm, modern, collaborative environment where students and instructors build camaraderie.

Its mission is to help students realize their vision of a successful dental career.

From Dental Assisting to Dental Laboratory Technician CAD/CAM, CDC offers courses tailored to every student’s goals.

About The Dental Assisting Program

CDC’s Dental Assisting Program is an intensive training that spans four weeks.

Classes occur on Saturday and Sunday, from 9 am to 5 pm, offering a convenient schedule for aspiring dental professionals.

The curriculum provides hands-on training, covering essential dental tasks.

Graduates receive multiple certifications, including Dental Assistant, X-ray, Coronal Polish, CPR/AED, and more, approved by the Dental Board of California.

Here are the following topics covered in the program:

• Dental Structure
• Charting Procedures
• X-Ray Processing Techniques
• Mounting X-Rays
• Protocols for Sterilization
• Handling Dental Equipment
• Patient Interaction Guidelines
• Monitoring Vital Signs
• Taking Alginate Impressions
• Executing Stone Pour Procedures
• Utilizing Aspiration Techniques
• Mastery of Basic Dental Instruments & Operative Manuals
• Skillful Instrument Passing
• Development of Professionalism & Record Keeping

The total tuition of $2,500.00 covers the entire program.

Howard Healthcare Academy is a cutting-edge institution providing students with the skills and knowledge to thrive in dental.

Its mission is to facilitate professional development and student success by offering real-world tools and applications for employment.

Unlike traditional dental assistant schools, Howard provides a modern education environment.

Its instructors are licensed and practicing dental professionals, offering hands-on training with the latest technology.

This practical, real-world experience sets students apart, making them valuable assets in dental offices.

The Commission of the Council on Occupational Education accredits the academy.

It ensures the academy offers a nationally honored seal of excellence, ensuring integrity and quality education.

About The Dental Assisting Program

Howard Healthcare Academy offers a comprehensive dental assistant program that spans ten months.

It makes students eligible to take the State exam and become registered dental assistants.

The program focuses on clinical and administrative responsibilities in a dental office.

Its curriculum comprises 620 hours and an additional 200 hours of onsite externship.

The externship externship at one of our affiliated working dental offices, ensuring practical, hands-on experience.

Students will learn the following skills:

• Anatomy, dental procedures, and patient care
• Management and leadership skills for front-office roles
• Hands-on skills during externship, including impressions, x-rays, infection control, and patient assistance
• And more…

The school partners with The Super Dentists, a leading pediatric and orthodontic dental practice in San Diego County, and offers students a glimpse into specialty dental offices.

It also assists in your job search, interview tips, and access to its network of dentists, offering lifetime job placement assistance for program graduates.

Professional Dental Enterprises (PDE) is an educational institution providing excellent training to aspiring dental professionals.

It offers classes in Dental Assisting that the board requires during the RDA exam. It gives comprehensive certifications with expert-led courses.

The curriculum covers everything from X-ray techniques to infection control, ensuring students are well-prepared for the challenges of dental assisting.

The school’s instructors provide individual attention, guiding students through the complexity of the Registered Dental Assistant curriculum.

The Dental Board of California certifies the school initiating its commitment to quality education.

About The Dental Assisting Program

PDE’s Dental Assisting program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the dental field.

Students can learn the provided study materials at their own pace, making it flexible and accessible.

Class schedules are open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday within office hours starting at 9 am.

Students can also inquire about Saturday and Sunday class schedules if they’re unavailable during weekends.

Upon graduation, students will gain the following certificates required for an RDA license:

• Dental X-ray
• Coronal Polishing
• Infection Control
• Dental Practice Acts
• CPR

Students will also learn additional but optional classes to expand their skill set, such as:

• Pit and Fissure Sealants: Not mandatory for RDA test application but necessary for license renewal.
• Basic Dental Anatomy
• Basic Chairside Skills
• Basic Dental Lab Procedures

For more details, you can inquire about free consultation through their website, call (619) 584-6262, or visit their onsite location.

Concorde Career Colleges, Inc., is Universal Technical Institute, Inc.’s healthcare division.

It offers healthcare education with over 17 campuses across eight states, operating under Concorde Career College and Concorde Career Institute.

The school dedicates all its resources to preparing the next generation of dental and healthcare professionals for over 65 years.

Concorde understands the importance of a modern and adaptable modern education model, so it offers a blended education.

It blends online courses with in-person lab classes and clinical experience to ensure students receive comprehensive training aligning with real-world healthcare scenarios.

The school offers 25 student-focused academic programs specializing in nursing, dental, respiratory, diagnostic, and other healthcare roles.

The Council on Occupational Education (COE) and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) accredit the school.

About The Dental Assisting Program

Concorde’s Dental Assistant Diploma Program is an extensive program that prepares students for diverse healthcare roles.

The program runs for ten months and is approved by the Dental Board of California.

Students are eligible for the written and practical California State Board Examination to become Registered Dental Assistants after graduation.

Here’s the curriculum overview:

• Introduction to Dental Assisting & Dental Terminology
• Dental Specialties
• Materials & Procedures
• Patient Care & Management
• Diagnostics & Orthodontics
• Dental Radiology
• Infection Control
• Coronal Polishing
• Pit & Fissure Sealant

The program also includes a non-paid in-person externship.

Students will gain hands-on experience working alongside dentists, hygienists, and other healthcare professionals.

Dental Assistant School in San Diego is an educational institution guiding and molding future dental assistants in San Diego.

Led by Dr. John Coleman III, the school provides an engaging and unique learning experience that combines comprehensive education with a supportive team atmosphere.

It boasts its skilled teams and caring professionals committed to providing an exceptional learning environment.

They are extensively trained in their expertise areas to ensure students receive the best education to kickstart a successful dental assistant career.

About The Dental Assisting Program

The Dental Assistant School of San Diego Dental Assisting program is structured to shape aspiring dental assistants to be competitive in the dental field.

The comprehensive training spans a swift 13 weeks, incorporating real-world internship experience essential for students’ journey to becoming a dental assistant.

It recognizes the significance of preparedness in the dental field and includes dental assistant CPR training.

The school understands that being well-equipped with essential skills contributes to the graduates’ success.

Students will work diligently to master these skills as it is invaluable in their future roles as dental assistants.

Students will learn diagnostic procedures, including X-rays and percussion tests, to help students master diagnosis and evaluate the severity of the patient’s toothaches.

The program also includes cosmetic dentistry to guide students to solve and restore patients’ smiles, such as:

• Veneers
• Bleaching or Teeth Whitening
• Bonding
• Crowns
• Contouring
• Reshaping

The school also offers scholarships, solving financial concerns for eligible prospective students.

Amounts vary, starting at $200 and going up to cover full tuition.