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Dental Assistant Diploma Program

San Diego, CA

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.

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10

Months

30.5

Credit Hours

320

Lab Hours

160

Externship Hoursᶛ

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 10-months of study.

San Diego Dental Assistant 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.

As part of your training you will prepare to obtain your CPR and radiation safety certificates.

This Dental Board of California-approved program prepares you to sit for the written and practical California State Board Examination to become a Registered Dental Assistant after graduation.

Now Enrolling

Concorde's San Diego 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 10-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.htm 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.

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Curriculum

  • 10

    Months

    In Less Than-a-Year

    The dental assistant diploma program can be completed in as few as ten-months.

  • 160

    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.

  1. Prep does not guarantee certification, employment or subsequent salary.

San Diego Campus Dental Assistant Curriculum

Concorde San Diego’s dental assistant diploma 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
  • Infection Control
  • Coronal Polishing
  • Pit & Fissure Sealant

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%

National Employment Demand (2023-2033) 

Dental Assistant Career Growth

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

Address and Hours

San Diego Campus

Campus Hours of Operation

  • Monday - Thursday 8 am - 7 pm
  • Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Saturday By Appointment
  • Sunday Closed
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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.

Concorde Graduate

Financial Aid

Get financial support for your education with our dedicated financial aid team by your side.

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Concorde Student

Scholarships

Find the perfect scholarship for your health care goals based on your background, programs or other criteria.

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Scholarship Opportunities

Pacific Dental Services Dental Assistant Scholarship

The Pacific Dental Services Foundation is proud to offer the "Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship”. Named after Dr. Carolyn Ghazal and her heart for service, the scholarship aims to mold the next generation of passionate, servant-hearted, dental assistant leaders.

Learn more

Healthcare Demand Grant

The Healthcare Demand Grant is designed to assist new, enrolling students who are pursuing education in a healthcare program. No application process. All newly enrolled students are reviewed for eligibility.

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Institutional Accreditation and Licensure

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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The Dental Assistant Program at Concorde can be completed in as little as 8 months. However, program length can vary by campus. Please check with an admissions advisor for program length information.

Call us to find out when the Dental Assistant Program starts at a Concorde campus location near you. Program start dates can also be found in the campus catalog located at https://catalogs.concorde.edu/.

According to BLS.gov, the National Employment Demand (2022-2032) for the Dental Assistant job field is projected to grow 7%. Keeping proper oral health is key to keeping healthy overall. Therefore, the demand for dental services is expected to rise as the population ages.

**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.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

Dental Assistants work with dentists and dental hygienists to help patients feel comfortable and happy about oral health. From assisting with dental procedures such as fillings, crowns, and extractions, no two days are the same if you become a dental assistant. Dental Assistants can enjoy a rewarding experience and have the opportunity for career advancements.

Concorde incorporates real-world training and off-site clinical experiences in our programs.

For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.

The Dental Assisting (Diploma) program at Concorde can be completed in as little as 11 months. This program is only offered at the Memphis campus. Please check with an admissions advisor for program length information.

Call us to find out when the Dental Assisting (Diploma) program starts at a Concorde campus location near you. Program start dates can also be found in the campus catalog located at www.Concorde.edu.

For program-specific tuition information, please see the campus catalog.

According to BLS.gov, the National Employment Demand (2022-2032) for the Dental Assistant job field is projected to grow 7%. Keeping proper oral health is key to keeping healthy overall. Therefore, the demand for dental services is expected to rise as the population ages.

**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.htm Projections are national. Local job market demand may vary.

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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.