About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 1 Year Certificate
  • Campus: Welland
  • Code: 0101 P0101
  • Delivery Length: 1 Year
Competitive Program
Apply Now Connect With Us Book a Tour or Info Session

Overview

Do you have an aptitude for meticulous work and the desire to be part of an integrated healthcare team that provides oral care to individuals of all ages?

As a Dental Assistant, you play a key role in a dental practice and have the knowledge and practical skills needed to help patients achieve their oral health goals.

Highlights

  • Over 400 hours of hands-on, experiential learning in Niagara College’s modern, fully-operational dental clinic and labs.

  • Unique interprofessional education experience in both classroom and clinical environments.

  • Gain practical experience in a dental office field placement and combine theory with real-world experience.

  • Accredited by the Commission of Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC).

  • Graduates are eligible to write the entry to practice National Dental Assisting Examination Board (NDAEB) exam followed by certification by the Ontario Dental Assistants Association after successful completion of the NDAEB exam.

Career Opportunities
  • Community dental health
  • Dental supply practice
  • Education
  • General dental practice
  • Insurance company
  • Product research
  • Sales
  • Specialty dental practice
Back to Top

Courses

Term one (2025 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
COMM1160 Communication in Healthcare I 3
DENT1102 Dental Radiography I 3
DENT1107 Dental Assistant Business and Computer Concepts 3
DENT1109 DA Preclinic Principles and Theory I 8
DENT1114 Sciences in Dentistry for Dental Assistant I 3
DENT1122 Oral Health Prevention Promotions 3
DENT1124 Dental Materials and Lab I 3
Term two (2026 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
DENT1201 Dental Radiography II 3
DENT1209 DA Preclinic Principles and Theory II 8
DENT1210 Restorative Clinic 3
DENT1214 Sciences in Dentistry for Dental Assistants II 3
DENT1224 Dental Materials and Lab II 3
DENT1312 Clinical Placement - Dental Assisting 2
HLTH1020 Introduction to Interprofessional Education and Practice 3
PRAC1175 Field Placement - Dental Assisting 2
Learning Outcomes Term: 1254

  1. Maintain client and personal safety in the practice environment.

  2. Contribute to the development of a comprehensive client profile by using a variety of data collection methods in collaboration with the client and other health professionals and in compliance with privacy legislation

  3. Contribute to the development of a comprehensive plan for oral health services and programs in collaboration with the client and other health professionals

  4. Provide oral health services and programs, as identified in the comprehensive plan and as permitted within the scope of practice.

  5. Contribute to the evaluation and reporting of appropriate aspects of the oral health services and programs by using a variety of sources including the client profile

  6. Act in a professional and competent manner.

  7. Maintain client records and manage office procedures in compliance with relevant legislation and regulations

Back to Top

Admission Requirements

Domestic Students: Important Admissions Dates and Deadlines
This program is
competitive
and has important application deadlines, which can be found at niagaracollege.ca/deadlines/.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent including the following required course(s):
  • English – any Grade 12 (C) or (U), or equivalent
  • Mathematics – any Grade 11 (C), (U), or (M), or equivalent
  • Biology – Grade 11 (C) or (U) or Grade 12 (U)
  • Chemistry – Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U) or
  • Physics – Grade 11 (U) or Grade 12 (C) or (U)
Selection and Ranking

Applications are evaluated based on the published admission requirements. When the applicant provides proof of meeting the requirements, an offer of admission can be issued, provided space is available in the program.

In the event the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available seats in the program, selection will be based on Ontario residency and the most senior level final grade available in required courses at the time of ranking.

Learn more about admission decisions for competitive programs.

Program Requirements
Important

Specific due dates for the following requirements: Communicable Disease Surveillance, First Aid/CPR and Criminal Record Check (as outlined below) will be included in the documentation posted to MyNC under "My Documents". Some program requirements could take several weeks to complete. All documentation must be submitted and cleared by the specified due dates otherwise you risk losing your acceptance into the program.

Communicable Disease Surveillance
  • The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of the program.
  • Please view the CDS Form and Checklist for health requirements at niagaracollege.ca/cdsform/.
  • If the CDS process is not completed your placement, clinic or co-op opportunity will be denied.
First Aid and CPR
  • Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) is required.
  • CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Level BLS (Basic Life Support) / HCP (Health Care Provider) must be renewed annually.
  • All certifications must be met and remain current or placement/clinical will be denied and/or the student will be withdrawn from their current placement/clinical.

  • Students must provide copies of their certification for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) at Level HCP (Health Care Provider), Adult/Child/Infant one and two rescuer CPR with AED and first aid for choking including artificial resuscitation using both pocket mask and bag-valve mask. (This program is designed for those with specific health care responsibilities).

Criminal Record Check
  • A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) which is less than 6 months old is required at the beginning of the program.
  • Students are responsible for maintaining annual CRC-VSS documentation.

  • Students will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) in order to be cleared for placement/clinical. Please note, in order to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), students must be 18 years of age or older. If a student is not 18 years of age or older at the start of this program, they will experience delays in progression through the program.

Student Dress Code
  • A student dress code is in effect for clinical courses.
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.

Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products. (learn more)

Computer/technology requirements may be subject to change without notice.

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

Back to Top

Availability

Domestic Students: Important Admissions Dates and Deadlines
This program is
competitive
and has important application deadlines, which can be found at niagaracollege.ca/deadlines/.
Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

Back to Top

Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Dental Assisting (Levels I and II) program below.

  For detailed information about these pathway options visit niagaracollege.ca/pathways/.

Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

Back to Top

Tuition

Back to Top

After touring other colleges, I felt Niagara College could offer the most opportunities. Returning to school as a mature student with a family to care for was quite difficult. The staff and teachers have really been great and helped make the transition back to school much smoother than I anticipated. I’m glad I chose Niagara College and I know the Dental Assisting program was a great choice.

Tanya Bernier, program graduate

I enjoyed going to Niagara College because the faculty have such high expectations all the students. Students have the opportunity to work on clients in Restorative and Preventive Clinics. Faculty helped enable us to excel in the dental field with confidence.

Jess Wood, program graduate

My experience at Niagara College has been exceptional. Students are taught by professional faculty that help each individual successfully meet their learning objectives. Students receive adequate resources that are available at any time, including the latest technology in a newly designed clinic that enables students to advance and update their knowledge. In addition, students have the opportunity to train under the guidance of professional dentists and work with members of the community to enhance special skills and succeed in the dental field.

Gina A. Guevara, program graduate
Back to Top

#myncstory

Skip Media Slider
Back to Top

Personalize your Niagara College experience in 60 seconds!

Create Your Custom Viewbook

Explore Similar Programs

Image for Dental Hygiene
Dental Hygiene
Image for Pre-Health Sciences – Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas
Pre-Health Sciences – Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas
Image for Dental Office Administration
Dental Office Administration
Back to Top