Dental Assisting – Certified (Online)
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.
| Tuition | $7,910 |
|---|---|
| Credential | Certificate |
| Length | 20 months |
| Hours | Part-time |
| Delivery | Online |
| Campus | Online |
| Start Dates |
What to expect
What you will learn
- Provide patient-centred dental care in a safe, competent manner.
- Practice using a unique body of knowledge that is evidence-based.
- Competently assess, plan, treat and reflect on outcomes of clinical care.
- Practice in accordance with the ethical guidelines for the profession.
- Apply professional standards of the regulatory body for Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) practice.
- Apply principles that support cultural safety and humility in CDA practice.
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The Certified Dental Assisting Online Program is 20 months of part-time study.
Maximum time for completion is 3 years.
Admission Requirement
Program-specific
-
Grade 12 graduation or equivalent.*
- English Studies 12 with a minimum ‘C’ grade or equivalent *
- One of:**
- Anatomy and Physiology 12, or equivalent (recommended)
or - Life Sciences 11, or equivalent
- Anatomy and Physiology 12, or equivalent (recommended)
* 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
- A Certified Dental Assisting and Dental Reception Immunization Record must be completed. Students may be declined placement in a clinical or practicum site if a completed immunization record is not provided.
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
Fall 2026 |
|
|---|---|
| Program Start Date | Sep 2026 |
| Status | Open |
| Application opens | October 1, 2025 |
| Application Deadline | June 1, 2026 |
Courses
Course delivery information: Courses are primarily 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DAST 1400 | Professionalism in Dental Assisting | 2.0 |
| DAST 1402 | Microbiology and Infection Control | 1.5 |
| DAST 1403 | Basic Dental Assisting | 2 |
| DAST 1404 | Patient Assessment | 2 |
| DAST 1405 | Dental Office Emergencies | 1.5 |
| DAST 1406 | Preventive Dentistry | 3 |
| DAST 1407 | Restorative Dental Assisting | 2.5 |
| DAST 1408 | Clinical Dental Assisting Practice 1 | 3 |
| DAST 1510 | Laboratory Procedures | 1.5 |
| DAST 1511 | Dental Specialties | 3 |
| DAST 1512 | Community Dental Health | 3 |
| DAST 1513 | Dental Reception | 2.5 |
| DAST 1514 | Patient Care Procedures | 2.5 |
| DAST 1515 | Dental Radiography | 2.5 |
| DAST 1517 | Dental Radiography in Clinical Practice | 1.5 |
| DAST 1518 | Clinical Dental Assisting Practice 2 | 5 |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
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 / Year | $7,910 |
Year 1 - $3,549 Year 2 - $4,361 |
| Student union | $145 | |
| College initiative | $118 | |
| Materials | $141 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | $317 | |
| U-Pass | $938 | Discounted, unlimited transit pass. Learn more. |
| Graduation | $45 | |
| Total | $9,647 |
Fees shown are based on 20 months of part-time study.
Books & Supplies
Textbooks or other supplies may be required for this program. Visit the VCC Bookstore for more information.
* 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.
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Technical requirement
How to Apply
Ready to apply?
Online
You will be directed to EducationPlannerBC.
Fill out a PDF form and mail to:
VCC Registrar's Office
1155 East Broadway
Vancouver, B.C., V5T 4V5
Contact us
Advising services
Phone: 604.871.7000, option 2
Email: studentservice@vcc.ca
Advising services for International students
Do you have any questions?