Dental Assistant Diploma Program

Portland, OR

Prepare for a new career sooner than you think

Dental Assistants are often the first person a patient interacts with when they visit the dentist's office. They play key roles in delivering quality care. Dental assistants support both the Dentist and Dental Hygienist in running their practice, as well as aid in caring for patients. A special and diverse health care career choice.

Train to Assist Chairside During Dental Procedures

  • Learn the foundations of dental care in this diploma program.
  • Curriculum includes an externship so you gain real-world experience.
  • Complete your diploma in as few as 9-months of study.

Program Overview

With Concorde, you can learn the skills needed to be the person dental practices rely on to keep things running smoothly. The hands-on training from taking x-rays to dental impressions, will help prepare you for a career in the dental field.

Now Enrolling

Concorde's Portland campus is seeking dedicated students who want to:

  • Learn to help dentists and dental hygienists deliver quality care and maintain office operations
  • Prepare for career opportunities in private practices, clinics, cosmetic dentistry, and more
  • Complete the diploma in as few as 9-months

Get started by scheduling an in-person or virtual Career Planning Session to explore if the dental assistant program is right for you!

  1. **Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected national growth in job openings for dental assistants 2023-2033 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

  2. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, who's length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.

9

Months

8%

National Employment Demand (2023-2033)

26.0

Credit Hours

240

Lab Hours

Get Started

Curriculum

Portland Campus Dental Assistant Curriculum

Concorde Portland's dental assistant diploma program teaches foundational concepts of dentistry, including anatomy, physiology and the different dental specialties. You’ll learn to take impressions, assist during procedures, and how to keep the front office operating efficiently.

  • Introduction to Dental Assisting & Dental Terminology
  • Dental Specialties
  • Materials & Procedures
  • Patient Care & Management
  • Diagnostics & Orthodontics
  • Dental Radiology

The dental assistant program includes an externship where you will gain hands-on experience working along side dentists, hygienists and other healthcare professionals.

240

Lab Hours

Practice On-Campus

Students will complete on-campus labs including simulations and patient care settings. 

230

Externship Hours

Dental Assisting Hands-on Experience

The dental assistant program includes an externship where you will gain hands-on experience working along side dentists, hygienists and other healthcare professionals.

Portland Dental Assistant Program Coursework

he dental assistant diploma program courses cover topics including:

  • Taking patient histories and vital signs (blood pressure, etc.)
  • Sterilizing dental instruments and equipment
  • passing instruments to the dentist during procedures
  • Using suction to remove fluids from patients mouths during procedures
  • Educate patients about proper oral hygiene
  • Maintain patient records and appointment schedules
  • Generate patient bills and process payments

Career Outlook

A Career with Smiles

Dental assistants do a little of everything in the dental office. From updating patient records to sterilizing instruments and assisting during procedures, their role is versatile, fast-paced, and can make a real difference in the lives of patients.

  • Work Alongside Dentists & Hygienists
  • Assist Chairside During Patient Exams & Procedures
  • Prepare & Take Patient X-Rays
  • Manage and Schedule Patient Appointments
  • Collect and Record Patient Records
  • Prepare & Sanitize Instruments & Care Spaces

8%

Projected national job demand for dental assistants from 2023-2033 

Dental Assisting Growth

Job demand for dental assistants is projected to grow as more patients seek dental care and clinics expand.

Address and Hours

Portland Campus

1425 NE Irving St.
Portland, Oregon 97232

PH: (971) 229-4551
FX: (503) 281-6739

Campus Hours of Operation

  • Monday - Thursday 8 am - 8 pm
  • Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Saturday By Appointment
  • Sunday Closed
Schedule A Tour

Financial Aid

As part of our commitment to your success, Concorde ensures that you have access to comprehensive information and guidance in navigating the financial aid process. Concorde offers financial aid and scholarship programs to those who qualify.

Pacific Dental Services Dental Assistant Scholarship

Dental Program Scholarships

Pacific Dental Services Dental Assistant Scholarship

Scholarship

Healthcare Demand Grant

Grants

Healthcare Demand Grant

Scholarship

Accreditation

Accreditation and licensure are an important part of an academic institution’s operation. Visit our Accreditations and Licensure page for more details about our accreditations and licensure.

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  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.