One-year program. Competitive Salaries. No prerequisites.

The Dental Assisting Certificate of Achievement program at PCC is a one-year program that prepares you to begin a career in dental health care. Upon completion of the program, you will be eligible to take the necessary exams to become a certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and obtain license as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).

  • Program Length:

    10 Month Full-Time = Two semesters + 1 intersession or options for Part-Time Pathways are available 13 and 24 month 

  • Program Completion:
    • Certificate of Achievement 
    • Eligible for Dental Assisting National Board exam & California Registered Dental Assistant exam
      Certificates
    • 8 hour infection control and 2-hour Dental Practice Act
    • Oral Radiology
    • Pit and Fissure Sealants
    • Coronal Polishing
    • Ultrasonic Scaling for orthodontic cement removal
      Occupational Skills Certificate
    • Entry-Level Dental Assisting
    • Orthodontic Assistant

    Occupational skils certificates are State specific certificates not a part of CODA.

  • Program Accreditation:


    Pasadena City College offers the following allied health education programs (including Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting and  Restorative Dental Technology programs) will undergo accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) on March 26 – 28, 2024.

    In accordance with CODA requirements, Pasadena City College requests comments from interested third party individuals. Comments must be sent to CODA at least 60 days before the scheduled site visit.

    The deadline for Pasadena City College Third Party Comments is January 26, 2024.
    Comments should be emailed to the appropriate CODA staff. Email addresses are available here.

    Comments must pertain only to the standards relative to the predoctoral or advanced education programs as listed above, or policies and procedures used in the accreditation process.

    Third parties include communities of interest and the public such as faculty, students, program administrators, dental-related organizations, patients, and consumers.

    Signed or unsigned comments will be considered. All relevant comments will have names and/or signatures removed and will then be referred to the program at least 50 days prior to the site visit for review and response. Negative comments received after the established deadline of 60 days before the site visit will be handled as a complaint.

    A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the commission’s policy on third party comments may be obtained by contacting the commission at 1-312-440-4653 or by email.

What is a Dental Assistant?

A Dental Assistant is an important member of the dental health team. Working in dental offices, hospitals, clinics, dental schools and professional sales, dental assistants greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of quality oral health care. A career in dental assisting offers a variety of procedures and tasks, including:

  • Assist with and provide direct patient care including helping the patient feel comfortable before, during, and after treatment.
  • Take and develop dental radiographs (x-rays)
  • Sterilize instruments
  • Take impressions
  • Perform office management tasks
  • Communicate with other health care professionals, dental suppliers and insurers

Is Dental Assisting for you?

A career in Dental Assisting will offer you variety, flexibility, excellent working conditions, and personal satisfaction. To succeed in our program and this career field, you must be a team-oriented individual who enjoys working with people. This career is for you if you have good hand/eye coordination, like working on a schedule, communicate effectively in both verbal and written language, and seek satisfaction in helping others. Learn More.

Get Started

Applications windows are April 30 - June 30 (Fall Enrollment) and October 1- December 1 (Spring Enrollment) 

Find Out How to Apply or Apply Now