Program at a glance
Credential
Certificate
Work experience
Clinical/fieldwork placement
Study options
Full-time
Open to International
Yes
Area of study
Length
10 months
Certified Dental Assistants provide a vital health care service
The Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) program is fast paced, practical, hands-on and simulates the work environment. The program provides six weeks of practicum experience in a dental office to provide you with hands-on experience to be job-ready when you graduate. The CDA program is fully accredited nationally and graduates have performed extremely well on the national board exam.
Collaborative
You'll be working inÌýCamosun's 24 chair, fully equipped clinicÌýlearning to prepare for and provide chair-side support to assist dentists and clients as well as independent skills and duties. You'll learn about becoming a collaborative partner in the delivery of all aspects of dental care. CDA skills include assisting the dentist at chair-side, as well as providing direct client care.
³Û´Ç³Ü°ùÌýinterpersonal skills will play a large role in your successÌýas a CDA to meet the needs of a variety of clients.
We'll help you succeed!
You'll be given many opportunities to transfer your theory and professional communication skills into both the clinical setting at Camosun and dental offices. This helps to better understand the broad scope of your practice and to help youÌýgrow in confidence and competence.
Clinic practice is scheduled for 17 hours per week to allow you to develop clinical skills that can lead to jobs after graduation.
Hands-on learning
The field of dentistry is becoming increasinglyÌýsophisticated and technological.
In the 10-month Certified Dental Assistant program you’ll participate extensively in hands-on clinical activities. You’ll learnÌýspecific skills to assist the dentistÌýas well as independent duties such as taking dental x-rays, impressions of teeth, placing dental dam and providing preventive care. Providing a wide variety of skills makes the job very satisfying
Community learning
You'll provide preventative dental care to the public in theÌýCamosun's Dental Clinic, and practice in a live working environment through three separate practicum experiences in general dental offices in the community.
Discover your opportunities with the Canadian Forces
The Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Program has been recognized by the Canadian Forces (CF) and now qualifies for aÌý.
Indigenous priority admissionsÌý
For a limited time each year, ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥ offers priority seating for qualifiedÌýIndigenous students inÌýallÌýHealth Sciences and Human Services programs.
TheÌýIndigenous Limited Priority AdmissionsÌýprocess is approved by the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.
How to apply for anÌýIndigenous priority seat.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning inÌý.
Program outline
For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the academic calendar.
What to expect
Located at our Lansdowne campus, the CDA program is ten months long, full-time. Classes are scheduled for 28 hours per week with homework commitments that vary per student but amounting to about three to four hours per day including weekends.
Our program is administrated with a philosophy of self-direction and you and your 35 classmates will be expected to treat your clinical learning environment as though it were your place of employment.
Successful completion of the National Dental Assisting Examination Board (NDAEB) examination is required to qualify for registration and licensure as a CDA in British Columbia. The NDAEB examination process is external to ÉÙ¸¾Ãâ·ÑÖ±²¥.
Term 1
In the fall term, you'll relate theory to practice through learning head and neck anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, radiology, nutrition, infection control, dental armamentarium and professionalism. Near the end of the term you'll participate in a one week dental office practicum.
Term 2
In the winter term you will continue to develop your theoretical knowledge and clinical skills from term one. You will also have the opportunity to apply your clinical skills outside the simulated clinical environment in community dental offices for two weeks in your second practicum.
Term 3
During the final five weeks of the program you will provide preventive care to children in the dental clinic for two weeks and participate in a 3 week practicum in a general dental office.
CDA program handbooks
Find current student information in theÌýSchool of Health Sciences and Human ServicesÌý²¹²Ô»åÌýCDA programÌý³ó²¹²Ô»å²ú´Ç´Ç°ì²õ.
Tuition and fees
Effective from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026
Estimated tuition
Tuition estimates are for the entire program
Certified Dental Assistant, Certificate
$9,295 (domestic)
$21,845 (international)
Domestic tuition fees