There are two levels of dental assisting in BC:
Certified Dental Assistants (CDA) are trained in diploma courses held in colleges throughout the province. They are trained to assist the dentist during treatment of the patient and are qualified to carry out some procedures on patients under the direction of the dentist. See training programs.
Non-Certified Dental Assistants require no formal training because hands-on training is provided in the dental office by the dentist. The scope of duties that can be performed by a Non-Certified Dental Assistant are limited, and unlike those of Certified Dental Assistants, do not include procedures provided to the patient. BCDA has created an online learning course to support on-site training at a private dental clinic. See Learning Opportunities.
Camosun CollegeVictoria
CDI CollegeBurnaby & Surrey
College of New CaledoniaPrince George
College of the RockiesCranbrook
Okanagan CollegeKelowna
University of the Fraser ValleyAbbotsford
Vancouver Community CollegeVancouver
Vancouver Island UniversityNanaimo
Discovery Community College Surrey
Pacific Health Institute Surrey
Sprott Shaw College Surrey
*contact schools for specific entrance requirements
BCDA offers free, introductory online learning modules to help anyone interested in starting a dental career learn about the role and responsibilities of a Dental Assistant in the dental office. These modules are only an initial step, all Non-Certified Dental Assistants need to have hands-on training in the dental office with trained dental staff and under the supervision of a dentist.
