Dental Assistant

U.S. Career Institute’s self-paced, online Dental Assistant program is designed to prepare you for certification (RDA) and a role as a Dental Assistant in as little as 5 months.

The Dental Assistant Program trains students with the necessary skills to professionally perform many dental assistant duties. Students learn to perform front office administrative duties, including scheduling appointments, maintaining patient charts and claims processing procedures. Students discover how to adhere to federal safety, security and privacy regulations, as well as accurately maintain and handle dental records. Also, students access virtual labs to become familiar with various dental procedures. U.S. Career Institute's Online Dental Assistant Program provides graduates with theoretical instruction and practical skills that prepare students to obtain entry-level dental assistant positions in a dentist’s office working alongside dentists, orthodontists, and other oral healthcare specialists. You will receive complete step-by-step illustrated lessons and virtual labs that prepare you for this rewarding, in-demand dental assistant career.

• 5-day money-back commitment
• DEAC Accredited
• 100% online, self-paced classes, on your phone or computer
• Proven Results: 79% RDA Pass Rate vs. 62% National Average
• Complete in 5-10 months, part-time
• One-on-one career coaching and instructor support
• Start learning today - no waiting period!
• A+ BBB Rating, 45 years in distance education, and 97% of students would recommend U.S. Career Institute to a friend.
• The DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency.

Lead instructor/course expert. Melia Lewis earned her Master of Education, Learning and Technology from Western Governors University and her Bachelor of Dental Hygiene from the Utah College of Dental Hygiene. She is licensed as a Registered Dental Hygienist with the State of Utah Division of Professional Licensing. She is currently practicing RDH at Provo Family Dentistry, Provo, UT. Her professional experience includes roles as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University and clinical instructor/adjunct professor at the Utah College of Dental Hygiene.

To qualify for enrollment in the Dental Assistant Program, an applicant must:

• Certify that she/he is a high school graduate, holds a state-approved Graduate Equivalency Diploma (GED) or its equivalent, or has completed college-level coursework; or otherwise demonstrate ability to perform postsecondary-level coursework (including test evidence).
• Submit a completed enrollment application with the required payment.
• Be at least 16 years of age.

IMPORTANT! Please note that this program provides information on how to operate the equipment to take accurate x-rays, but graduates are not able to operate x-ray equipment without proper credentialing. Graduates are required to pass the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) or equivalent state-approved exam to legally take dental x-rays. The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) offers the RHS exam. There are currently no eligibility requirements to take the RHS exam, making it open to all interested individuals. Be sure to check with your state on specific requirements before proceeding and to monitor any potential changes in eligibility requirements to take the RHS exam: https://www.danb.org/ exams/exam/rhs-exam.

U.S. Career Institute is an open enrollment school: as long as the applicant meets the admissions requirements for minimum education and age, they will be accepted into the school. Students must be able to read, write and speak English fluently. Students aged 16 and 17 may be admitted provided their parent or guardian signs the enrollment agreement; students under the age of 16 cannot be admitted. Applicants who do not meet the high school diploma or equivalent requirement are allowed to use test evidence to show they can benefit from the program: the first five grades the student receives serve as the basis for test evidence, and a “C” GPA meets the minimum education requirement. Most professional certification agencies have minimum age requirements (typically 18) to sit for a certification exam.

The Dental Assistant program is 614 clock hours, delivered in 31 lessons with 31 quizzes. Students can complete it in 5-10 months, studying part-time. Classes are 100% online and self-paced, on your phone or computer, with no due dates or deadlines.

The program is designed for guided independent study through distance learning, and is self-paced. Each program is designed to be completed in 12 months or less; the student has 12 months after enrollment to complete the program, and a student who needs more time should follow the leave of absence procedure. The school accepts enrollments 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and upon enrollment students have immediate access to their program online. All quizzes are open book.

U.S. Career Institute is committed to making your dental assistant education affordable and inclusive. Start a new career that you’ll love and find fulfilling without a mountain of debt!

• Option 1, pay in full: $1,239 (save $300); the application charge is waived.
• Option 2, monthly auto payments: $1,539 in total at $79 a month, with a first payment of $79, plus a one-time $29 application charge.

First payment includes $50 down payment and $29 application charge. Application charge is non-refundable.

5-day money-back commitment. After you receive your first lesson, you have 5 full days to decide if our program is the best route for you.

Funding. U.S. Career Institute participates in military education benefit programs and the MyCAA spouse support tuition program; specific questions regarding eligibility should be directed to the Veterans Administration by calling 1-888-GIBILL1. U.S. Career Institute also participates in various employer-paid and Vocational Rehabilitation programs. U.S. Career Institute does not participate in other financial aid programs.

All enrollments are assessed a one-time $29 application charge (2026 catalog price list). Students who wish to purchase textbooks or manuals may do so for an additional charge.

Upon graduating from our Dental Assistant Certification Online Program, you will receive your U.S. Career Institute Certificate of Completion attesting to your accomplishment. U.S. Career Institute’s Dental Assistant program prepares you to take the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification exam, administered through American Medical Technologists (AMT). Included with our program, we cover the cost of your RDA exam through AMT - $150 value. USCI encourages graduates to review the RDA test prep materials on the AMT website prior to taking the exam. The AMT site includes free study materials. If you choose to pursue certification, in addition to your online dental assistant certification training from USCI you will need to provide proof of current CPR certification prior to sitting for the exam. The cost of CPR training is not covered by USCI.

The certification process is straightforward, and no prior experience is required to become a Dental Assistant. As of March 8, 2024, our program can be used to fulfill the education requirements and/or gain certification or licensure (or licensure is exempt) in many states Verifying licensing requirements is particularly important for residents of California, Washington DC, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Montana, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee. Dental Assistant jobs are projected to increase 6% by 2034 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The average RDA exam pass rate for U.S. Career Institute graduates is 79% vs. the National Average of 62%. People transition into dental assistant jobs because it offers a comfortable wage, good hours and benefits, a sense of fulfillment, reliability, job security, and it’s a growing field. A career as a dental assistant is an essential part of the dental care team, and truly makes a positive impact on people’s lives.

Beginner-Friendly Lessons. Classes are designed for anyone to easily learn, and are broken up into digestible sections that build as you progress through our program. No due dates or deadlines.

Engaging Curriculum. Reading lessons, supplemental videos, interactive exercises, note taking, read-aloud and disability features, and open note multiple choice quizzes with no time limit.

Student support and coaching. Your tuition includes access to instructors via phone and email, student services, tutoring, resume and job interview support, and one-on-one career coaching (a $400 value).

Learning materials included. Your tuition includes e-books, study guides, supplemental videos, and interactive exercises. Hard copy books are also available for under $50. Everything is included - no hidden fees after enrollment.

Grading and graduation. To graduate, students must submit all quizzes, attain a final average of 70% or higher, have a signed enrollment agreement on file and have paid tuition in full; U.S. Career Institute then releases the Certificate of Completion. Students with a grade point average of 93 or higher are awarded a seat on the Dean’s List.

Graduate support. U.S. Career Institute provides continuing employment instruction and advice, including training in job-search techniques, résumé and letter writing, interviewing and presentation skills, available to all graduates whenever they request it. The school cannot promise or guarantee employment and does not provide job placement services.