Career training · 100% online
Clinical Dental Assistant Training
Become a trusted part of a dental care team. Learn chairside assisting, infection control, x-rays, and more online, and get vouchers for the three Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exams for NELDA® certification.
At a glance
Start anytime.
Format
100% online, self-paced
Course length
300 course hours, up to 12 months to finish
Prepares you for
The three DANB exams for National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA®) certification
Exam vouchers
Included for the three DANB NELDA exams
Course details from the provider’s listing. Check the course page for current price and requirements.
The work
Put patients at ease in the dental chair.
Clinical dental assistants help dentists and hygienists with treatment. A typical day can include preparing patients and treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, passing instruments during procedures, taking x-rays, recording treatments, and teaching patients good oral hygiene. Most work in dentists’ offices.
Each state sets what dental assistants may do, so duties vary by state. You’ll also learn the basics of keeping digital patient records in Dentrix practice management software.
What you’ll learn
- Dental anatomy, oral pathology, and dental specialties
- Infection control, hazardous materials, and OSHA rules
- Chairside assisting, instruments, and dental materials
- Radiation safety and traditional and digital x-rays
- Charting, patient records, and HIPAA
- Pharmacology, anesthesia, and emergency care
What’s included
- Vouchers for the three DANB NELDA exams: Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology (AMP); Infection Control (ICE); and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS)
- Textbooks, an instruments and materials guide, and a brushing and flossing teaching model, shipped to you
- Optional Dentrix practice software (Windows PC only)
- Help applying for an optional clinical experience (placement isn’t guaranteed)
Instructors
Learn from an experienced dental professional.
Priscilla Garcia, RDA, CPP
Priscilla began her career as a chairside dental assistant in 2002 and has worked chairside and in administration in general and specialty practices. She began teaching dental assisting at Collin College in 2016 and later managed its dental assisting program.
Before you enroll
Questions, answered.
Do I need experience before I start?
No. You’ll need a high school diploma or equivalent to take national certification exams.
Which certifications does this prepare me for?
This course prepares you for the three exams for DANB’s National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA®) certification: Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology (AMP); Infection Control (ICE); and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS). Your vouchers cover all three.
DANB also offers a higher-level Certified Dental Assistant (CDA®) certification, which has more prerequisites. Two NELDA exams, RHS and ICE, also count toward the CDA once you meet those prerequisites. The CDA replaces AMP with a General Chairside Assisting exam, which this course doesn’t prepare you for or include a voucher for.
DANB also requires work experience for each certification. Check current requirements on the DANB website ↗ before you apply. This course isn’t reviewed or endorsed by DANB.
Can I work in a dental office without certification?
It depends on your state. Each state sets the rules for what dental assistants can do, so check your state’s dental practice act through its board of dentistry. In many states, certification can qualify you for expanded duties.
Does this course meet my state’s requirements?
The provider lists it as designed to meet educational requirements in 47 states. Montana, New Jersey, and New York aren’t on that list. Completing the course doesn’t guarantee licensure or certification, so confirm the rules where you live or plan to work.
What is the clinical experience?
It’s an optional chance to gain real-world hours in a dental office. You can contact the clinical experience coordinator once you’re 80% through the course, and you must apply within six months of finishing. Placement depends on host site availability and isn’t guaranteed.
Will I clean patients’ teeth?
No. Only a licensed dentist or dental hygienist can clean teeth. Some states let dental assistants polish teeth or apply sealants, fluoride, or topical anesthetic.
How long do I have to finish?
You have 12 months from the day you enroll. The course is self-paced, so you can finish sooner. Access usually starts within 24–48 business hours after you register.
Can I use financial aid?
Federal financial aid, such as FAFSA and Pell Grants, doesn’t cover this course. Payment plans, workforce funding, and military benefits may be options. See payment and funding options ↗.
What’s the job outlook?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of dental assistants to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 53,000 openings each year. See current pay and outlook in the Occupational Outlook Handbook ↗.
Offered with ed2go
You enroll, pay, and take the course on MVU’s career training site, which is run by our partner ed2go. Prices and enrollment details are listed there.
Get started
Three steps to begin.
02
Enroll online
Register when you’re ready. There’s no application and no semester to wait for.
03
Learn at your pace
Work through the lessons online, on your schedule, then use your vouchers to take your DANB exams.
Ready for your next move?
Start this course today, or compare it with other career training and skills courses.