Dental Assisting

About the Program

The four-quarter CODA-accredited Dental Assistant Certificate of Completion program prepares students for entry-level employment within the dental industry. You will learn about dental assisting through lecture, hands-on experience and clinical experience in the field. Our expert instructors and licensed dentists will demonstrate patient procedures, and you will learn chair-side in our state-of-the-art Dental Education Clinic in the new Health Education Center on Beacon Hill.

We offer opportunities for high school students to take dental assisting courses through our multiple pathways with Washington State’s Running Start Program and through the Seattle Skills Center. After graduating from high school, you can apply to and gain advanced standing in the CODA-accredited Dental Assisting Program.

After achieving your Dental Assisting Certificate, you have multiple pathways to earn advanced degrees, which include an Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) in Allied Health, which will then qualify you to apply to many of the Bachelor Degree Programs at Seattle Central College.

Being a graduate from our CODA-accredited Dental Assisting Program makes you eligible to apply to our Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary Program, which will train you to complete fillings and take final impressions alongside dentists.

Career Opportunities

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics dental assisting jobs will grow 11 percent between 2020-2030. You will gain the knowledge and skills needed to work as a dental assistant, lab technician, sterilization technician, dental office receptionist or medical practice manager.

Gainful Employment

Learn more about this program's Gainful Employment information (pdf).

Accreditation

The program in dental assisting is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, and has been granted the accreditation status of “approval without reporting requirements." The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

Commission on Dental Accreditation
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.440.4653

Seattle Central College's Dental Assisting program is intended to meet the educational requirements for licensing/certification in the State of Washington only. Seattle Central College has not determined if the Dental Assisting curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensing/certification in any other state. Additional information about licensure/certification concerns can be found on the NC-SARA webpage. Please contact eLearning with any questions at eLearning@seattlecolleges.edu.