Program Overview

Dental Assisting (Levels I and II)

Program Overview

If you have an interest in helping others in an oral health care setting and becoming a valued member of a dental team in your community, this may be the profession for you. Students will acquire knowledge, skills and training in the professional behavior necessary to work as a Level II dental assistant, providing education and care in a variety of dental settings. Clinic practice and field placements give students experiential learning opportunities so they can embark on their careers with skills and confidence.

Intakes and Availability

• September 2025: Waitlisted (Domestic), Closed (International)
• January 2026: Open (Domestic), Closed (International)
• May 2026: Open (Domestic)

Program Highlights

• Success Stories
• Resources

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U) (minimum 60 per cent)
• Grade 11 or 12 biology (C, M or U)
• Grade 11 or 12 chemistry (C, M or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

• Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math.
• DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program.

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $3,985 (CAD)
• Year one international: $16,571 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Dental Sciences (DENT 1102)
• Clinic Theory 1 (DENT 1103)
• Clinic Practice 1 (DENT 1104)
• Dental Materials (DENT 1105)
• Oral Health and Prevention (DENT 1106)
• Dental Radiography 1 (DENT 1107)

Career Options

• Clinical coordinator
• Dental assistant

Clinic Requirements

• Clinic practice is an opportunity for students to extend learning and apply practical skills before entering their field placement experience.
• Field placement allows students to gain experience beyond the clinical environment within a general dentistry setting in the community.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

• Please visit our pathways page to learn more about how you can transfer your credits towards a degree.

Tech Requirements

• To help students have the best remote learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for each program based on course needs and software requirements.

Program Details

• This one-year Ontario college certificate program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
• It provides access to academic studies, clinical experience and current radiography techniques.
• You will finish the program by completing a field placement experience within the community to further prepare you to work effectively as a Level I and II dental assistant as part of an oral health-care team.

Program Learning Outcomes

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 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.

Costs

• The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks.
• There may be additional costs; however, not all courses require textbooks.

Semester 1

• Tuition: $1,992.38
• Program Fee: $1,463.73
• Ancillary Fee: $493.77
• DCSA Ancillary Fee: $430
• Total: $4,379.88

Semester 2

• Tuition: $1,992.38
• Program Fee: $0
• Ancillary Fee: $493.77
• DCSA Ancillary Fee: $120
• Total: $2,606.15

Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.