The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, in Edmonton, offers a one-year dental assisting certificate program. Students learn about patient care procedures in both general and specialty dentist offices. They also study radiography, dental anatomy, employment skills and workplace safety.
Students are required to complete clinical experiences in general dentist practices and at dental clinics run by the University of Alberta and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Following the program, students can register for practice after successfully completing the National Dental Assisting Examining Board written exam, which allows them to complete intraoral duties as a Level 2 dental assistant. The dental assisting program, which also is available online, is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
11762 - 106th St.
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T5G 2R1
780-471-8930
nait.ca
Nova Scotia Community College, in Halifax, offers a Level 2 dental assisting certificate program. Courses in the one-year program cover topics such as dental sciences, dental records, chair-side procedures and preventive dentistry. Students learn dental assisting skills, such as anticipating a dentist's needs and delivering instruments and materials. In addition, they learn how to perform skills such as working with liners and bases and applying matrices and wedges.
The program also includes clinical rotations at the Dalhousie University Dental Clinic and the IWK Health Centre. Program graduates must complete the Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia national exam for licensure. The dental assisting program at Nova Scotia Community College is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
Nova Scotia Community College
P.O. Box 220
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada B3J 2M4
902-491-4911
nscc.ca
Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, British Columbia, offers a 10-month dental assisting program that is approved by the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia, which regulates dental assistants in the province. Students who complete the program and the National Dental Assisting Examining Board exam can then apply for registration/licensure as a Level 2 certified dental assistant. The program includes courses on clinical support theory, professionalism and dental office management. Students also complete practicum experiences in general dentist practices.
Following the program, students can find work in dental offices, community health agencies, schools and hospital dental clinics. Vancouver Island University's dental assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
Vancouver Island University
900 Fifth St.
Nanaimo, British Columbia
Canada V9R 5S5
888-920-2221
mala.ca