Dental Assisting – Certified (Online)

Diploma: Certificate

Location: Online

International students admissibility: Accepts International Students

Two women in lab coats are examining teeth of a human skull. One is pointing at the skull while the other observes intently.

In this page

Overview

Earn a certificate in dental assisting online while actively working in a dental office.  This combination of theory and real-world experience contributes to a highly effective learning experience for students. 

This program is only open for domestic students(Canadian/Permanent Residents). If you’re interested in as an international students, please visit aaaa.vcc.ca

Tuition N/A
Credential Certificate
Length The Certified Dental Assisting Online Program is 20 months of part-time study. Maximum time for completion is 3 years.
Hours <strong>Course delivery information:</strong> Courses are <em>primarily</em> delivered asynchronously, so you can complete your dental office experience of at least 14 hours/week. There is some collaborative work with other students, as well as scheduled exams on online (by Teams). There are three in-person clinicals (5 days, 3 days, and 10 days) at the VCC downtown campus.
Delivery Online
Campus Online
Start Dates Sep

My time at Vancouver Community College’s Music and Dance Program has been nothing short of transformative. What began as a pursuit of artistic excellence evolved into a journey that not only refined my skills but also shaped me into a more confident and expressive individual.

John Dow, Music & Dance

Job prospectives

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  • Dental Technologist / Dental Technician
  • Dental Lab Quality Control Specialist
  • Dental Materials Sales Representative
  • Dental Equipment Technician or Specialist
  • CAD / CAM Designer for Dental Restorations
  • Dental Laboratory Manager
  • Dental Technology Instructor

Admission Requirement

*  Students who have completed the Vancouver Community College Dental Reception Certificate program are exempt from these admission requirements. ** Students who have completed the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) Provincial Radiography credential are exempt from this admission requirement. Applicants who submitted a BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) Provincial Radiography credential and letter from employer confirming student’s use of dental radiographs within the past 3 years may be eligible to receive credit for DAST 1515 and DAST 1517. UPON ACCEPTANCE TO THE PROGRAM:
  • A signed Sponsoring Dentist Agreement verifying a minimum of 2 days (14 hours) per week clinical dental assisting experience in a general dentistry practice for the duration of the program. Note: This must be submitted to cdaonline@vcc.ca before the start of class in order to maintain registration.
  • Criminal Record Check
    • ​​Students in this program are required to complete a Criminal Record Check (CRC).
    • The CRC must be completed according to VCC’s Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations may not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.
  • Valid Standard or Emergency First Aid and CPR-C
    • Certificate must remain valid throughout the program.
  • TB Screening
    • Students must submit a negative tuberculosis (TB) skin test or chest X-ray dated a maximum of six months prior to the program start date. An additional TB test is required after each potential exposure to TB and/or travel to areas with a known prevalence of TB.
  • Immunization Record

Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.

Recommended Characteristics

  • Program tasks require sitting for extended periods and maintaining proper body positioning.
  • Program activities involve continuous, repetitive hand, wrist, and arm movements such as passing instruments, oral evacuation, and reaching for instruments and materials.
  • Learning environment involves exposure to bright lights, high-pitched sounds from dental equipment, and vibrations from dental handpieces.
  • Program environment involves regular exposure to chemical products such as disinfectants and dental materials.
  • Program environment involves regular exposure to aerosols.

Program Availability

Not currently available.

Courses

Part-time

Course list is not available at the moment.

This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.

Fees and Costs

Application fee $36
Tuition $7,910 Year 1 - $3,549
Year 2 - $4,361
Student union $145
College initiative $118
Materials $141 not including textbooks
Campus resource $317
Laundry
Uniform (Deposit)
Medical & Dental Provided by Student Union
U-Pass $938 Discounted, unlimited transit pass. Learn more.
Graduation $45
Total $9,647

Books & Supplies

  • Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.
  • Additional costs:
    • Textbooks – Approx. $500
    • Student kits – Approx. $5,100 + tax

Open Educational Resources(OER) at VCC

No-cost textbooks are available for this program.

* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).

Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.

Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.

Need help with tuition?

Explore your options for scholarships, grants, bursaries, and loans.

Application Process

Application information is not available at the moment.

Contact us

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Program information

Program head name

janedoe@vcc.ca

Advising

Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: studentservice@vcc.ca

For International students

study@vcc.ca

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Indigenous Territory Acknowledgment

VCC is located on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples, and we acknowledge our privilege to be here.