Health Programs

Dental Assistant

• 10–Month Certificate Program
• Offered at the Nanaimo campus
• Program Fees: Domestic Students, International Students
• Apply for Admission: Forms and Information

The Program

This program, approved by the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia (CDSBC) and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and values necessary to be a member of the dental team, providing care, support and services for individuals of all ages.

Upon successful completion of the program students will be granted a certificate. Students must then write an National Board exam which, combined with the certificate, makes them eligible to apply for registration and licensure with the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA – Level II).

Career Opportunities

Graduates will work under the supervision of a dentist and may find employment in various settings including general and specialty dental practices, hospital dental clinics, community health agencies, and educational institutions. Most Certified Dental Assistants are employed in private general practice.

Admission Requirements

• General admission requirements apply.
• English 12 with minimum “C” grade, or equivalent.
• Biology 12 with minimum “C” grade, or equivalent.
• Good personal health; 20-20 vision with correction is required.

Recommendations for Admission

• Chemistry 11 or 12.
• Basic computer skills.
• Basic Dental Terminology (available through Continuing Education at Vancouver Island University).

Notes on Admission

• Note: The following documents are required for the first day of classes.
• A completed Immunization Requirements Form. The health immunization form must be signed by the public health nurse.
• Proof of W.H.M.I.S. training. Note: An online W.H.M.I.S course can be taken through the Vancouver Island University Powell River Campus.
• Evidence of current CPR Level C certification or Level HCP (healthcare provider).
• Criminal Record Check. Fieldwork and/or practicums will require a satisfactory criminal record check prior to placement. Criminal Record Checks are requested through VIU and processed through the Ministry according to the Criminal Records Review Act. A check completed through the RCMP is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Act. A criminal conviction may interfere with eligibility for licensure.
• An interview may be required.
• Students with back problems or an inability to work freely in confined spaces may have difficulty meeting the physical demands of this profession.
• Skin allergies may be adversely affected by some dental materials.

Recommended Personal Characteristics

Before applying for this program, students should learn as much as possible about this career. We encourage students to spend at least one day in a dental office observing the CDA.

Students with the following characteristics can anticipate success in the program and in their future career as a CDA:

• sensitivity to the needs of others;
• good manual dexterity to enable safe, skillful use of instruments while working in the mouth;
• a mature, positive self-image with high standards of personal and professional integrity;
• ability to move freely in confined spaces;
• ability to speak confidently with people of all ages;
• ability to pay close attention to detail over considerable periods of time;
• ability to work quickly with accuracy and neatness;
• ability to manage time effectively and handle responsibility;
• excellent oral and personal hygiene;
• willingness to participate in a team environment being respectful of the ways in which others organize and execute their work.

Start Date and Application Deadline

The program starts in September and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. For further information regarding program contacts check the Program Availability List.

Program Outline

Updated: November 10, 2011