Certified Dental Assistants (CDAs) are masters of precision and time-management experts. They are oftentimes the backbone of dental offices, ensuring that patients’ teeth are prepped, tools are clean, equipment is functioning, patient records are maintained, and x-rays are completed. It’s an exciting career that’s fast-paced, detail-oriented, and high-paying.
Considering becoming a Certified Dental Assistant? We have you covered! Keep reading to learn more about what Certified Dental Assistants do, how to become a Certified Dental Assistant, and how much Certified Dental Assistants make in British Columbia.
Certified Dental Assistant Duties
How to Become a Certified Dental Assistant
Certified Dental Assistant Salary in BC
Becoming a Certified Dental Assistant with Sprott Shaw College
Certified Dental Assistant Duties
Certified Dental Assistants typically work in dental offices performing intra-oral care and administrative duties, preparing patients for dental hygienists and dentists, and keeping office operations running smoothly. Certified Dental Assistant duties may vary based on their office’s needs, but they often include polishing teeth, applying fluoride, taking x-rays, and assisting dentists with procedures. They may also be responsible for administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining patients’ records, and sterilizing and preparing dental tools and equipment.
Certified Dental Assistants spend a lot of time with patients and must be good with people and have strong communication skills. The nature of their work requires them to have great attention to detail and the physical capability to perform precise maneuvers with their hands. CDAs must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and perform well under pressure. It’s common for Certified Dental Assistants to work with nervous patients, address unexpected oral concerns, and assist in procedures where timing and precision are everything—all while making sure appointments start and end on time!
How to Become a Certified Dental Assistant
The first step to becoming a Certified Dental Assistant in BC is completing Level 1 and Level 2 training by enrolling in a Certified Dental Assistant program. In BC, Certified Dental Assistant programs must meet the regulations laid out by the British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP), which is one of the Canadian Dental Assisting Regulatory Authorities (CDARA).
After completing an accredited Certified Dental Assistant program, students must take the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) written exam, which has a fee of $730. Students who complete a non-accredited program must also take the Clinical Practice Evaluation (CPE), which costs an additional $1785.
Once all that hard work is done, the final step is the easiest! After successfully passing the board exam(s), new CDAs are eligible to apply for a license through BCCOHP, which allows them to work as Certified Dental Assistants anywhere in British Columbia. CDAs must renew their licenses with BCCOHP every year in order to continue their practice in BC. Getting a license is the most crucial step in becoming a Certified Dental Assistant – it’s what makes them certified!
It is important to note that in Canada, there is no difference between a Licensed, Registered, and Certified Dental Assistant; these titles all signify that a Dental Assistant has passed Level 1 and Level 2 training, passed the NDAEB exam(s), obtained a license, and that they are qualified to perform intra-oral duties (inside patients’ mouths). Dental Assistants with certification are most commonly referred to as Certified Dental Assistants.
Although you do not need certification to be a Dental Assistant, those without certification who have only completed Level 1 training are known as Chairside Dental Assistants and may only perform extra-oral duties (outside of patients’ mouths), such as maintaining equipment, handing tools to dentists, and performing administrative tasks.
Certified Dental Assistant Salary in BC
According to WorkBC, Dental Assistants (encompassing both Chairside and Certified) earn a medium annual salary of over $62,000 and hourly wages ranging from $22 to $36. A Certified Dental Assistant salary can be even higher, with wages starting as high as $36 an hour straight out of school and with the potential to increase up to $40 an hour depending on industry demand and professional experience.
The typical working hours for CDAs provide some flexibility and work-life balance; since CDAs most commonly work in dental offices, they usually work set hours, such as 9:00am to 5:00pm, and do not work shifts. This career is suitable for both individuals looking for high-paying part-time work and those looking to launch a full-time career, as part-time and full-time opportunities are both commonly available in this field.
Becoming a Certified Dental Assistant with Sprott Shaw College
Sprott Shaw College is proud to have a Certified Dental Assistant program that not only follows the BCCOHP guidelines, but also has successfully passed the rigorous accreditation process from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC). Our Certified Dental Assistant program is accredited for the sake of our students; it guarantees the quality of their education and exempts them from taking the CPE – this greatly reduces the stress, time, and money they must dedicate to the board exams.
Not only that, but our Surrey campus is home to a state-of-the-art dental clinic, where students can hone their skills. Our dental clinic has the same modern equipment you’ll find in dental labs across the province, making it the best and most up-to-date dental clinic in the Lower Mainland. We also recently added a new panoramic x-ray machine, making our clinic just that much better!
At Sprott Shaw College, we pride ourselves on our hands-on and in-depth training, but our commitment to student success goes beyond the curriculum. Our Dental Assistant instructors ensure that students feel a sense of community, support, and confidence so they can thrive in the classroom and in the field. They build a sense of camaraderie through events (like potlucks and themed days), fun educational activities, and friendly competitions. They also instill confidence in students through hands-on initiatives like community outreach and Family & Friends Day, during which students can practice their oral care skills on real people. Unique to our program, our instructors also provide optional open clinic hours after every class for students to practice their hands-on skills, and after students graduate, they provide a one-day prep course before students take the NDAEB exam. There’s no better place to become a Certified Dental Assistant!
Tour our Dental Lab below!
Ready to Become a Certified Dental Assistant?
Ready to take the next step? Contact an advisor to learn more about Sprott Shaw’s Dental Assistant program and our enrollment process. Your future career awaits!
