Dental Assisting Certificate
The complete 12-week path from zero experience to chairside-ready.
What you’ll learn
- Assist chairside with four-handed dentistry
- Take and process dental X-rays safely
- Sterilize instruments and run infection control
- Mix materials and take accurate impressions
- Set up trays for common dental procedures
- Respond to emergencies with CPR/BLS
- Chart, schedule and communicate with patients
- Prepare a resume and interview for your first DA job
Course content
Phase 1 · Weeks 1–3Foundations3 weeks · 19 lessons
- Week 1 · Welcome to Dentistry & Infection ControlDental team roles · OSHA & PPE · Hand hygiene6 lessons
- Week 2 · Dental Anatomy & Tooth NumberingUniversal numbering · Tooth surfaces · Oral landmarks7 lessons
- Week 3 · Instruments & Tray SetupsHand instruments · Handpieces · Tray systems6 lessons
Phase 2 · Weeks 4–8Clinical skills5 weeks · 32 lessons
- Week 4 · Chairside & Four-Handed DentistryInstrument transfer · HVE suction · Patient positioning7 lessons
- Week 5 · Dental Radiography IRadiation safety · Film & sensors · Bitewings6 lessons
- Week 6 · Dental Radiography IIPeriapicals · Full-mouth series · Error correction6 lessons
- Week 7 · Dental Materials & ImpressionsAlginate · Cements · Study models7 lessons
- Week 8 · Restorative & Specialty ProceduresFillings · Crowns · Endo & oral surgery assist6 lessons
Phase 3 · Weeks 9–10Patient care & office2 weeks · 11 lessons
- Week 9 · Patient Care & Emergencies (CPR/BLS)Vital signs · Medical history · CPR/BLS certification6 lessons
- Week 10 · Front Office & Dental RecordsCharting · Scheduling · Patient communication5 lessons
Phase 4 · Weeks 11–12Certification & externship2 weeks · 11 lessons
- Week 11 · Clinical Skills Check-offsCompetency exams · Live practice · Feedback sessions6 lessons
- Week 12 · Final Exam, Career Prep & ExternshipFinal exam · Resume & interview · 80-hr externship launch5 lessons
Is this program for you?
Requirements
- Free on Fridays8 AM – 5 PM for 12 weeks
Who it’s for
A typical Friday
- 8:00Sterilization & setupGloves on. You prep operatories and run real sterilization cycles.
- 9:00Lecture blockShort, focused theory with Dr. Agarwal: anatomy, materials, procedures.
- 11:00Chairside labFour-handed dentistry on real chairs, with real instruments.
- 12:30Lunch & study groupRecharge with your cohort. Small class, big support.
- 1:30Radiography labPractice positioning and exposure on the clinic’s X-ray equipment.
- 3:30Impressions & materialsMix, pour and trim. Hands-on until it’s second nature.
- 4:30Skill check-off & debriefSign off a skill, review the week, preview next class.
- 9 hours, one day a week8 AM – 5 PM every Friday · 6 hands-on blocks + lunch & study group
This program includes
- 176 hours of training (49 lecture + 47 lab + 80 externship)
- Textbook and workbook
- Scrubs (2 sets)
- Clinical supplies and instruments
- CPR/BLS certification
- Dental radiography training
- 80-hour externship placement
- Job placement assistance
- Resume and interview preparation
- Certificate of completion
Paid separately: Background check (~$40) · TB test (~$25) · Hepatitis B vaccine (Free at many clinics). We accept Cash, Check, Zelle, All major cards.
After you graduate
- 80-hour externshipReal patients in Dallas dental offices, supervised.
- Certificate + CPR/BLSGraduate with both, at no extra cost.
- Resume & interview prepOne-on-one help to present your new skills.
- Job placement helpIntroductions to dental offices that are hiring.
Your instructor
Program Director & Lead Instructor · Boston University School of Dental Medicine
- 4.9 Google rating
- 40 graduates
- 11+ Years in clinic
- BU Dental Medicine
- 176 Hour program
- DMD · BU
Dr. Rohini Agarwal brings over 11 years of clinical dentistry experience to Brilliant Dental Assisting. A graduate of Boston University's School of Dental Medicine, she combines real-world expertise with a passion for training the next generation of dental professionals.
“I teach the exact skills my own clinic hires for, on the same chairs my patients sit in.”
Student reviews
- Job offer before externship ended
This program changed my life! Dr. Agarwal is an incredible teacher. I got a job offer before I even finished my externship.
Maria Gonzalez
Graduate · Class of 2025
- Retail → dental office in 12 weeks
Weekend classes let me keep my weekday job. In just 12 weeks, I went from retail to a dental office. Best decision ever!
Ashley Thompson
Graduate · Class of 2025
Frequently asked questions
Do I need prior dental experience to enroll?
No. The program is built for complete beginners and career-changers. We start from the basics in week one.
What is the class schedule?
Classes meet one day a week, 8 AM to 5 PM, for 12 weeks: the English batch on Fridays and the Spanish batch on Sundays. Most students keep their weekday job.
What does the tuition include?
Everything: 176 hours of training, textbook and workbook, 2 sets of scrubs, clinical supplies, CPR/BLS certification, radiography training, an 80-hour externship placement, job placement help and your certificate.
Is a payment plan available?
Yes. Pay $3,000 in full ($100 admission + $2,900 before class), or $3,300 on the plan ($100 admission, $200 first payment, then 10 weekly payments of $300).
What is the externship and where is it?
An 80-hour placement working with real patients in Dallas-area dental offices under professional supervision. It bridges class and your first job.
Skill booster
CPR / BLS for Healthcare
AHA-style Basic Life Support certification course.
- BLS for healthcare
- Adult & child CPR
- Certification card
Next dates on requestSkill booster
Dental Front Office & Billing
Scheduling, insurance basics and practice software.
- Scheduling
- Insurance basics
- Practice software
Next dates on requestSkill booster
Infection Control & OSHA
Sterilization, PPE and compliance in one focused day.
- Sterilization cycles
- PPE & OSHA
- Clinic compliance
Next dates on request
