Dental Assistant is a Diploma program offered by North-West College in Riverside, CA. The program takes 40 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $19,653.
Program Overview
Dental Assistants perform many tasks, ranging from patient care and taking x-rays to record keeping and scheduling appointments. Specific duties vary by state and by the dentists’ offices where they work.
The Dental Assistant program at North-West College is a career-focused technical course designed to provide you with the training programs you need to start working in a dental office. This is a hands-on program that focuses on equipping you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed as a Dental Assistant.
Dental Assistants routinely perform a variety of important tasks, including:
- Scheduling patient appointments.
- Preparing patients and the work area for treatments and procedures.
- Sterilizing and preparing dental instruments.
- Assisting dentists during dental procedures.
- Instructing patients in proper oral hygiene.
- Processing x-rays and completing lab tasks under the direction of a dentist.
- Recording and updating patient dental treatment records.
Program objectives. Upon completion of the Dental Assistant program, the student will be able to perform chairside duties in assisting the dentist, take and develop x-rays, do basic laboratory procedures, and work at the front desk in the dental office or clinic. Graduates will be eligible for entry-level positions as chairside, front office, or specialized assistants. Students are encouraged, after working in the field, to take the state test to become a Dental Assistant for which their training will qualify and prepare them, enabling them to accept positions at an even higher level of employment.
Admission Requirements and Process
North-West College seeks students who are interested in practical career training and who are motivated to succeed in their chosen career fields. Admissions representatives are available at each campus to assist potential students in the admissions process. All courses offered at North-West College are in English.
Applicants who possess a high school diploma or equivalent apply through the standard pathway; applicants who do not hold a high school diploma or equivalent may still apply through the College’s Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) pathways described in the catalog. Non-high school graduates are encouraged to apply.
Applicants complete the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) during the enrollment process; the catalog addendum sets a minimum score of 13 for this program.
In some programs, students will be subject to criminal background checks, physical examination, and drug screening prior to being assigned an externship or clinical site.
Programs offered at North-West College are only offered to residents of the State of California.
General Requirements
- High school diploma, equivalent or ATBYou need a high school diploma or equivalent, or you may apply through the College’s Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) pathway, which requires a minimum score on a U.S. Department of…
- Scholastic Level Exam (SLE)You must achieve a minimum score of 13 on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) for this program.
- Admissions interview and tourYou must complete an admissions interview and tour of the College.
- State residencyPrograms are only offered to residents of the State of California; you attest to your physical address on the Enrollment Agreement.
- Registration feeYou must pay the $100 Registration Fee on or prior to the start date, or make arrangements to pay.
Application Process
- 1Contact AdmissionsReach out to the College by calling 1-888-408-4211, filling out an information form on the website, or emailing admissions@success.edu.
- 2Interview and tour the CollegeSchedule an appointment with an Admissions Representative to complete an admissions interview and tour of the College.
- 3Submit your applicationComplete one of the College’s applications; an Admissions Representative will contact you to set up an appointment and answer any questions you may have.
- 4Provide documents and take the entrance assessmentProvide or request official high school graduation or equivalent documentation and take the standardized basic skills assessment for your program.
- 5Meet with a Financial Aid AdvisorInterview with a Financial Aid Advisor prior to completing the enrollment process.
- 6Complete enrollmentReview the College’s catalog and required disclosures, complete the Enrollment Agreement, and pay the $100 Registration Fee on or prior to the start date.
Program Schedule
The College can enroll cohorts on a weekly basis for the Dental Assistant, Massage Therapist, Medical Assistant, Medical Insurance Biller and Coder, and Pharmacy Technician programs of study. Enrollment cohorts for Vocational Nurse, Surgical Technology, Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, and the Associate of Science in Healthcare Administration are limited to several times each year. Specific start dates can be obtained from your Admissions Representative.
The majority of our weekday classes meet Monday through Thursday, while others meet Monday through Friday and/or include weekend classes. Programs scheduled to meet evenings and/or weekends may have a longer program length than the day programs.
No start dates are published online for this campus; classes begin throughout the year, so contact your local North-West College campus to learn when the next program is scheduled to start.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Program charges.
- Tuition: $19,653
- Books and supplies: $242
- Registration fee (non-refundable): $100
- STRF: $0.00
- Total program charges: $19,995
Books and Supplies consist of Uniforms, Textbooks, Supplies, and Tutoring. Also, Review Courses where License or Certification is required. For Federal Financial Aid purposes, an academic year is a minimum of 30 weeks, 900 clock hours, or 24 semester credits.
Cost of attendance. The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of expenses and costs for a typical student to attend a college or university for one academic year. It includes estimated costs you may incur for housing, food, transportation, and other miscellaneous expenses. For informational purposes, the average monthly estimated costs for a student who lives off-campus for the 2025-2026 school year is $3,015 per month.
Financial aid. North-West College participates in federal and state financial aid programs. All applicants must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and meet with the Financial Aid Office either by telephone or in person on campus to complete the financial aid process. Programs available to students who qualify include: Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, Federal Work Study, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans and Cal Grant B and C awards. Federal School Code (FAFSA): 012872.
Veterans Administration (VA) educational benefits may be available to those individuals who qualify. North-West College is approved by the California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE) and is approved to train State Vocational Rehabilitation students; certain campuses are approved to train students eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding.
Payment plans. Students may also choose to make payments towards their tuition and fees directly to the College. North-West College offers a credit extension option, which includes a payment plan without interest where the balance must be paid within 12 months. Students who have limited financial aid assistance may qualify for alternative educational loans through a private lender.
Net Price Calculator: https://nw.edu/net-price-calculator/
Curriculum
All programs are systematically divided into courses making it easy for the student to enter at multiple times during the year and begin their program of study.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the program routinely find jobs working in:
- Dentists’ offices
- Dental clinics
- Dental laboratories
Careers. Chairside Dental Assistant, Front office Dental Assistant, Specialized Dental Assistant.
North-West College cannot guarantee employment.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
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