Be The Reason Someone Smiles Train Hands
Be ready to assist with dental procedures and exams while improving dental health and hygiene.
Through our dental assistant program, you can train to assist dentists in real-life dental care settings. Learn to prepare dental procedures, keep patient dental records up to date, and instruct patients on proper dental hygiene.
Choosing the right dental assistant school can be a difficult choice. At ACC, we emphasize hands-on training and real-world preparation. Although it is not required to work as a Dental Assistant in California, graduates have the choice to pursue the RDA credential. Upon successful completion of the RDA and state exams, students are awarded the Coronal Polish Certification and Pit and Fissure Certification. The program also consists of the requirements necessary for students to pursue the California Radiation Safety Certificate .
Do you have a dental assistant program near me? The dental assistant program is offered at our three campuses: Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County.
This program is taught in a blended format combining online classes and only 2 days a week of in-person instruction.
The Dental Assisting programs in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Ontario are approved by the Dental Board of California.
A Day in the Life of a Dental Assistant
As a dental assistant, you’ll support dentists with patient procedures, sterilize and prepare instruments, manage patient records, and advise patients on proper dental hygiene.
- Dentists offices
Im So Happy I Found Career Step
Im so happy I found Career Step. Ive always dreamed of being in the Mental Health field but was unsure about being able to fulfill that dream due to finances and such. Then I found Career Step and my dream will finally get to become a reality! The costs are very reasonable and they are so helpful with the process of getting started. They give you a certain time frame that you can use to complete the course and if you are not able to finish within that time frame they have options to get more time to complete it. I’m so grateful that i will be receiving an extra month of time just for doing this review. I cant wait to finish my course and get out into the real world and start helping people that need guidance. THANK YOU CAREER STEP!!!!!
Date of experience:October 04, 2022
Whats Included With Tuition
Everything you need to succeed is included with your Career Step program. Youll have:
- Complete online access to expert-created training
- Complete ebook library
- One-on-one support from your trainers and our technical support team
- A voucher to take the RHDS national certification exam upon completion
- Career support designed to help you turn your training into a job
- Transcription foot pedal
- The AHDI Book of Style, 3rd Edition, ebook
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It Is A Bit Confusing Going Through The
It is a bit confusing going through the process. I was doing modules and even though it has an icon to see full book it doesn’t show it. Also I lost the placement of where I was and found that I had already done it even if I didn’t need to redo it.
Date of experience:September 24, 2022
Reply from CareerStep
Dear Learner, Navigation can be tricky. I hope your onboarding call with an Advocate was able to help you figure out the best way to navigate your program. Advocates are your best resource for navigation questions. We have instructors that will help with content. Our community hosts the information needed to make these appointments along with articles and groups that are able to help you in your program. You can find out more by visiting our community. https://careerstep.my.site.com/s/
Faculty With Relevant And Extensive Dental Assisting Experience

No matter how passionate students are about a career in dental assisting, their education may suffer if they don’t have excellent faculty members leading their program. Many departments share teacher biographies, allowing prospective students to get a sense of their backgrounds. In addition to making sure faculty hold proper credentials, students should verify that the instructors leading their classes have extensive experience in the world of dental assisting, with the best case being that they worked chairside for a number of years before transitioning into academia. Those looking to enroll in a program should specifically ensure that faculty members did not move directly into teaching after completing a dental assistant program, as their ability to share real-world experiences may be limited.
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A Higher Standard For Online Training
With a humans-come-first approach, deep roots, and an intentional focus on employability, we dont see you as an anonymous learner. Our goal is to prepare you for the career you want and need.
Celebrated History
Established in 1992, weve got nearly 30 years of experience of helping people in the healthcare industry.
Job Market Alignment
Youll only learn the skills employers are looking for, so you can prepare for a career in high-growth fields across the country.
No Experience Necessary
We can help bridge the gap from where you are to where you want to beregardless of your experience level.
Understanding The Salary Job And Minimum Education Requirements
As with all jobs, the first thing that you should understand is the pay, the job, and what you will need in order to obtain the job.
When it comes to dental assistant positions, the bare minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED.
The salary you can earn as a dental assistant depends, as always, on a number of factors, including the area you work in. However, the current pay scale is generally between $13 and $22 an hour, or between $27,040 and $45,760 a year before taxes.
The job can vary wildly based on where you live and plan to work. Some states restrict what a dental assistant can do, while others are much more permissive. You are better off checking local sources for more information.
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Is Career Step Training Worth It
While there are many entry-level work-at-home jobs available, there are also some industries that require special training or a degree. A few of those career paths are in the healthcare industry.
The majority of medical transcriptionists today work from home. The U.S. Department of Labor reports the median income for medical transcription is $27,810 to $42,690 a year. There are some standards in training for these jobs. The Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity offers a Registered Health Documentation Specialist exam which shows proficiency for entry-level medical transcription positions.
Medical coding and billing is also a career with work-from-home potential. The average income here is between $34,000 and $57,000.
While a certification may not be required by every employer, high-quality training can increase your chances of getting hired. Career Step is a popular online training center offering courses in these two fields.
They have been kind enough to answer a few questions for us today.
Dental Assistant Training Programs
If you’re pursuing a career in dental assisting, you have multiple educational paths available to you through school for dental assisting, with the deciding factor typically resting on the possibility of further education. Diploma and certificate programs are great options if you’re looking to enter the workforce quickly and do not foresee yourself undertaking more education. If you’re potentially interested in becoming a dental hygienist later in your career, you should consider completing an associate degree, allowing you to transfer these credits to a bachelor’s level program if desired.
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How Long Is Dental Assistant School
Wondering how long does dental assistant school lasts? 9 months 2 years.
Considering that there are so many different schools, the length of the program will differ. Some programs are significantly longer than others, but this has nothing to do with the amount of information they cover. In fact, you may be better off completing a shorter program to get a job in less time.
Once youve answered this question, you should look into what type of dental assistant training youll be receiving. Most certificate programs last 9 to 12 months, while associate degrees take 2 years. The good news is that accelerated programs are also available. However, you should make sure you choose the right program if youre interested in saving time. You can also look for accelerated programs and/or online programs if youre working full-time.
Careerstep Is The Best Choice You Wont Regret It
Careerstep has been such a wonderful experience!!Im so glad I chose them for my online classes! This is the first time in my multiple attempts of going back to college that I have lasted an entire years worth of classes or lasted a year in general. I enjoy their online class set up, and how easy it is to get the work done, take your quizzes or test, and ensure you can pass all your classes. All of my professors and instructors, as well as the administration staff have been extremely helpful and willing to go the distance with me! Being a single mother while furthering my education isnt an easy task, but with Careerstep they were so understanding, patient, and so easy to work with. I couldnt recommend another school anymore than I do this one!
Date of experience:October 14, 2022
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Know Your States Requirements
Each state has different requirements, so its important to know the details for the state where you work. Some states use the title of Expanded Functions Dental Assistant . Other states might use a title like Licensed Dental Assistant , Registered Dental Assistant , Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions , or some other title. You can look up the details for your state on DANBs website by visiting the State Dental Assistant Requirements page.
Exceptional Dental Assistant Training For An Exceptional Career

So, you want to launch your career as a dental assistant. But you cant just walk into your local dental practice and start criticizing patients for their failure to floss every day. First, you need trainingtraining that teaches concrete job skills thatll help you succeed in the role.
Here are the steps you’ll follow on the road to becoming a dental assistant:
Step 1: Complete a Dental Assistant Training Program
Finding the right online dental assistant program is a matter of research, commitment, and preference. Theres a significant number of options out there, so doing your homework can save you a lot in terms of time and moneyit can even improve your training experience, and maybe lead to faster employment.
With entry-level dental assistant training thats fully online, designed by industry experts, and built for real-world success, our program will bridge the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.
Its entirely self-paced, too, which means you dont have to take a sledgehammer to your schedule in order to train for your dental assistant career. Well also provide all the necessary materials and back you 100% with 24/7 technical support.
Step 2: Participate in a Clinical Externship
Step 3: Earn Your Dental Assistant Certification
3. Soft skills training for career readiness.
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Is Job Placement Assistance Available To Career Step Graduates
Graduate Support Advisors help students with their resumes and interview skills. Job search techniques are also shared. Career Step recently announced a partnership with RCM Health Services. RCM is a premier provider of staffing solutions for over 400 healthcare institutions, placing more than 72,000 healthcare professionals in both remote and traditional new jobs across the nation. They intend to employ Career Step graduates, specifically those trained for careers related to health information management.
Why Choose Us Career Institute
AFFORDABLE
$79 monthly payments, 5 day risk-free preview and 100% money back commitment.
ON-DEMAND LEARNING
100% online and self-paced. No set class schedules so you set the pace and study when you can 24/7.
MOBILE-FRIENDLY LEARNING MATERIALS
Custom-designed, mobile-friendly student portal.
REAL-WORLD SKILLS
Focus on real-world skills that will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need for employment and to prepare for industry certifications.
All-INCLUSIVE PROGRAM
Your tuition includes access to instructors, learning materials and career support.
PROVEN REPUTATION
A+ BBB Rating, 40 Years in Business, 4.8 out of 5 TrustScore, 97% of students would recommend us to a friend.
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I Am Getting My Certification Inphlebotomy Medical Assisting Ekg/ecg
I am getting my certification in phlebotomy, Medical assistance, and EKG/ECG. This course is very detailed and made the information very clear and understandable. I would highly recommend using this Online school of youre looking to get certified in the medical field.
Date of experience:October 19, 2022
I am happy with the course except that you always have to go back to the Career steps site from Cengage to move forward it is very time consuming and slows down my progress.
Date of experience:October 21, 2022
Certified Vs Registered Dental Assistants
The difference between a Registered and a Certified Dental Assistant depends on the state but primarily it involves the level of certification and education. Certified assistants have slightly less formal education than Registered Dental Assistants and perform the same clinical and administrative duties.
RDAs generally have more educational requirements than CDAs. Registered Dental Assistants are trained to perform administrative and clinical work, including scheduling future exams for patients, prepping clinical areas, and assisting the dentist, or dental hygienist, with a dental procedure by providing them with instruments, x-rays, topical anesthesia, and other non-invasive tasks.
Most RDAs complete a dental assistant program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation . RDA degree programs typically take one to two years to complete. Students in these programs graduate with a diploma in one year or an associates degree in two years.
Certified assistants will input medical records, schedule appointments, and lead patients to the examination chairs. They will also ask patients about their dental health history, and review dental procedures with patients prior to beginning treatment. CDA are certified by the DANB.
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Carew Steps Is The Best
Carew steps online program has been very helpful all the way around I work a full time and and with the courses not having a due date its so easy for me to still get my work and school done and not be stressing about it getting done on time the staff has been very helpful as well and im so glad I came along the Carew step website also give out month extension for just writing a reviews and stuff like that honestly helps a teenager whos only making minimum wage and can barley afford rent they are very flexible and just got above and beyond to make sure u get what you Need to finish your course
Date of experience:October 12, 2022
Careerstep Has Been A Great Partner
“CareerStep has been a great partner. Theyve helped us provide on-the-job training for staff members who want to become medical assistants, but have no experience or training. We continue to explore opportunities to partner with CareerStep in addressing our workforce needs while helping staff achieve their professional goals.”
Jill Wise, Vice President & COO of Grace Health
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Dental Assistant Program Tuition And Financing
We strive to ensure our Dental Assistant program is both flexible and affordable. This is why we offer low, monthly payment options for every student. We are committed to providing you with a high-quality education at an affordable price. Make an investment in yourself today!
For more information, please visit our Tuition and Financing page.
Join the thousands who have trained with U.S. Career Institute. Get started on your online dental assistant program today and be ready to work in as little as five months!
Our Learners Say It Best

You can study at the pace your life allows.
CareerStep provides all course materials including updated books for a reasonable rate. You have as much or as little contact with other students as you like. You can study at the pace your life allows. I’m working two jobs and raising a child on my own. I can’t always study so it’s nice to know I can get just the right amount of encouragement and patience in equal measures. I highly recommend CareerStep for those wanting to make a change in their lives while trying to maintain a stable household.
Kate Parker
CareerStep has helped me work toward my future career aspirations.
CareerStep has helped me work toward my future career aspirations. The self-paced learning environment is one of the best things about the program. The website is extremely user-friendly, even for those that may have some challenges with technology. My books and materials for each course were shipped promptly, arrived in excellent condition, and the fact that they are included in the total cost of the program was a fantastic bonus! The monthly payments are very affordable and are a great alternative for those who may not be able to afford the entire cost up front. I highly recommend this program!
Denise Wickline
CareerStep is perfect for me.
Tabitha Miller
I cant wait to finish my program and advance my career.
Stacey Robinson
Awesome experience.
Michael Minton
I was amazed at how easy it was
A good opportunity for me to learn from my own home
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Licensure And Certification Preparation
While requirements for licensure and certification vary by state, you can gain national certification successfully passing the Dental Assisting National Board’s Certified Dental Assistant examination. While this level of endorsement is not necessary in all states, graduates can use it both to stand out amongst the competition and to assure patients of their abilities. In addition to this national qualification, some states offer further licensure programs.
Discover Your Program In Minutes
Dental assisting is a popular career choice for many reasons, including job stability, quick entry to the workforce, and the ability to help others. Whether scheduling appointments, taking X-rays or assisting dentists with routine or specialized procedures, dental assistants must have great levels of skill and attention to detail. In the guide below on how to become a dental assistant, you will learn about the steps needed to become a dental assistant, available training programs, components of a successful career, salary data and overall job outlook.
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