How to Become a Dental Assistant
| Update: October 3, 2025
Dental assistants are vital to a dental office, performing both administrative and clinical tasks. This important role helps the entire office run more efficiently. Dental assistants may greet patients and help them feel comfortable before the exam, or they may assist chairside, ensuring the exam runs smoothly. UEI College’s Dental Assistant Program gives students all the training and knowledge they need to be successful in an entry-level dental assistant position.
If you’ve always had an interest in the dental field but were unsure where to start, becoming a dental assistant is an excellent first step. Dental assistants work in the front office as well as in the exam room, giving you a great overview of how a dental practice runs. The training for this role can be completed in as few as 10 months and may be easier to begin than you think.
How to Become a Dental Assistant
Thinking about a career as a dental assistant but not sure where to start? You’re not alone. With so many training options, choosing the right path can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. What's the best path to becoming a dental assistant?
Some people dive straight in with on-the-job training, learning directly from experienced dental teams. Others prefer a structured dental assistant program, which blends classroom instruction with hands-on labs and real-world practice.
Formal training can give you an advantage, helping you master essential skills, prepare for certification, and feel confident walking into your first role. It also opens the door to more opportunities as your career grows.
Whether you’re drawn to helping patients, managing records, or assisting with procedures, the best path is the one that fits your goals, learning style, and timeline. No matter which route you take, you’re setting yourself up for a rewarding career in the dental field.
Steps to Become a Dental Assistant
Becoming a dental assistant may be easier than you think. There is no official university degree or training required to become a dental assistant, but employers like to see a level of training before hiring. The good news is this training can be completed in as few as 10 months when you follow these steps:
Step #1: Obtain a High School Diploma
To begin training to become a dental assistant, you must have a high school diploma. Contact us to learn more about enrolling in UEI College's Dental Assistant Program. Our admissions representatives will provide you with all of the information you need to enroll in the program.
Step #2: Explore Dental Assistant Training Programs
Finding the right dental assistant program is vital to your success. UEI College's Dental Assistant Program will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on training you need to provide value at a dental office from day one. Our program will teach you how to assist dentists during exams and ensure the equipment is sterilized between patients. These skills require the type of proper training that potential employers like to see on your resume.
Step #3: Enroll In and Graduate From a Dental Assistant Program
Training that is hands-on with real equipment and patients will serve you well. Our program will teach you all the fundamentals of being a dental assistant and provide opportunities to practice your skills during in-person, hands-on labs.
UEI College’s program also includes a 170-hour externship at the end of the course to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. This valuable experience is your chance to take your learning to the next level. During an externship, students build connections in the field and learn directly from current dentists or dental assistants. Many employers may choose to hire dental assistant externs.
Step #4: Complete Any Necessary Steps to Work in Your State
Different states have different requirements for dental assistants. You can find an outline of the different requirements for your state on the Dental Assistant National Board Website. Most states require dental assistants to be supervised by a licensed dentist and have training in infection control and basic life support in case of emergencies.
Step #5: Begin Applying for Positions
Once you have completed training and all the necessary steps to be eligible to work in your state, it’s time to start applying for positions. A detailed resume and confidence in your skills will help you stand out in a competitive market.
When you complete your training through UEI College, you will end with an externship experience. This opportunity not only lets you practice your skills but also provides a chance to make contacts with folks currently working in the field. Some students are hired by their externship site.
UEI College also works with students through our Career Services Department. We will help you update your resume, find hiring opportunities in your area, and prepare for your interview.
We know setting you up for success doesn’t happen only in the classroom. Finding an entry-level position, you can love is important! Our program prepares you for an entry-level position as a Dental Assistant, Surgical Dental Assistant, Orthodontic Assistant, Orthodontic Technician, or Oral Surgery Assistant.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Dental Assistant?
Becoming a dental assistant is a great way to begin working in the dental field quickly and build a career for years to come. While it takes training to jump into an entry-level position as a dental assistant, you can complete training and be prepared for an entry-level position in as few as 10months through UEI College.
Dental assistants help all over the office and will become acquainted with how other positions within the office operate as well. If you have always dreamed of working in the dental field but were unsure which position interests you the most, becoming a dental assistant is a great way to find out.
What Are the Benefits of Becoming a Dental Assistant?
Dental assistants play a vital role in a dental office, and as such, there are many benefits to becoming a dental assistant. Here are a few:
- Quick training: One of the biggest benefits of this career is how quickly you can get started. You can enroll in UEI College’s Dental Assisting program today and learn the fundamental skills and concepts needed to jump into an entry-level position in as few as ten months. If you want to change your career or begin a new one in the medical field in less than a year, dental assisting is a great option.
- Learn Skills: Proper dental health is tied to proper general health. The need for professionals to help people in this area isn’t going away any time soon. With quality training, you can be prepared to work in this field and take your skills anywhere.
- Opportunities for growth: Being a dental assistant doesn’t mean you can only work in a general dentist’s office. There are many specializations for dentists. You could have a special interest in working for a dental surgeon, an orthodontist, a pediatric dentist, or a periodontist. Any dental office needs good dental assistants, and as you explore new specialties, you may find new opportunities to grow within the field and learn more about how the health of a person’s mouth affects their entire body.
- Rewarding position: Dental assistants are part of the team that helps people develop a healthy, confident smile. One of the biggest benefits of becoming a dental assistant is getting to know the patients you serve and knowing you’re helping provide the best care possible.
Why Choose UEI College to Become a Dental Assistant?
UEI College’s Dental Assisting program provides all the skills and knowledge you need to prepare you for an entry-level position in the field in less than a year. Our program is built on a unique hybrid model. Students attend lectures and complete assignments online, and come to in-person classes twice a week to put those concepts into action through hands-on experiences. The eight modules in this program include:
- Dental Science/Medical Emergencies
- Dental Anatomy and Physiology
- Radiography
- Dental Material
- Preventative Dentistry
- Dental Specialties
- Prosthodontics/Administrative Assistant
- Externship
Through these courses, students will learn:
- Human development and facial structure
- How to take and record vital signs
- CPR
- How to manage dental emergencies
- Infection control
- Proper sterilization techniques
- The different dental instruments
- How to chart
- How to take dental X-rays
- How to mix cement, plaster, and liners for dental impressions
- Proper dental hygiene
- Denture adjustment
- Dental specialties
- Computer skills
- Professionalism
If any of those topics sound interesting to you, we invite you to take a tour of the UEI College campus nearest you to learn more about how you can enroll and get started learning!
Do Dental Assistants Perform Hands-on Training?
At UEI College, Dental Assistants perform hands-on training. Our campus laboratories are well-stocked with equipment and tools to help students put the concepts they have learned into practice.
Our programs are built to give you experience in the real world. That is why our students come to campus for in-person learning, where they practice skills on their fellow students and on dummies. We simulate real office visits throughout the program. To add to the experience, our students complete a 170-hour externship in a local dental office. This gives them the chance to shadow current dental assistants and dentists to learn from them and gain new skills they can use moving forward.
How to Apply to UEI College’s Dental Assistant Program?
Applying to UEI College’s Dental Assisting program starts with a call! Give us a call or fill out an online form, and one of our admission representatives will be in touch.
If you’re near a campus, we invite you to come in during our business hours and take a tour. You’ll see our classrooms and labs and meet the instructors.
After the tour, you’ll meet with our financial aid team to discuss any options available to help cover the cost of your education. We know paying for school is never easy, but financial available to those who qualify.
It’s a good idea to bring a copy of your high school diploma with you to speed up the enrollment process.
Get Your Training at UEI College
If you feel like starting a career in the dental field is the right move for you, UEI College is prepared to offer you the resources and training you need to be successful in finding an entry-level position as a dental assistant. We offer ongoing enrollment, so you can enroll today and get started on the next start date. Imagine beginning a new career in as few as 10 months!
Our program offers students flexibility. We know life gets busy, and you may have to work while you go to school. That’s why we offer day and evening classes on a hybrid schedule. Students complete assignments online and attend live lectures online and then come to campus just twice a week to practice skills in-person with real equipment and tools.
Compassionate, experienced instructors are what really drive our programs. Our instructors have experience working in the field and will take the time to ensure students understand the concepts being taught before moving on. We are also proud of our ambassador program, which encourages students to get involved on campus and help inspire other students.
“My personal and professional experience working with a diverse student population has been very rewarding as an instructor at UEI,” said Yolanda Puente-Benson. “The students I’ve worked with had many challenges in their lives. However, with proper guidance and a lot of nurturing, in a careful and safe environment, they were able to overcome their challenges, excel and empower themselves.”
At the conclusion of the Dental Assisting Program, UEI College students complete a 170-hour externship in a local dental office. Under the supervision of a dentist, hygienist, or dental assistant, you’ll have the chance to practice your skills, learn new methods, and witness dental procedures. This valuable training is the cherry on top for students who feel ready to enter the job field.
As you begin your job search, UEI College is still there to help. Our career services department works with students to update their resumes, apply for jobs, and schedule interviews. We are here to support you every step of the way!
If you’re ready to build a career you can be proud of, we are ready to help.
