Dental Office Receptionist Certificate

Overview

The Dental Office Receptionist certificate program at the University of the Fraser Valley equips students with essential office administration skills alongside specialized dental knowledge. This program prepares graduates to meet the demands of various roles, including positions in dental offices, dental supply companies, insurance companies, and dental laboratories. Graduates emerge with strong communication and administrative skills vital for supporting any dental team.

Program Format

• Credential: Certificate
• Format: Full-time
• Delivery:
  • In-person classes on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Clearbrook campus
  • Asynchronous online classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Duration: 5 months
• Days and Times: MondayThursday, 9:00 AM2:30 PM
• Tuition: $5,980 (tuition is subject to change and textbooks are not included)
• Financial Aid: Program eligible for financial aid
• Practicum Required: Yes
• Start Dates: September
• Application Deadline: Students may apply at any time and will be considered for the next available intake.

Entrance Requirements

Admission to the program requires compliance with established entrance requirements outlined in the UFV Academic Calendar. Additionally, candidates may be required to undergo a satisfactory Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening for the practicum, depending on the host's requirements.

Program Outline

Skills and Knowledge

Students can expect to gain proficiency in the following areas:

• Roles and responsibilities of the dental receptionist
• Familiarity with tooth anatomy, dental terminology, and dental procedures
• Understanding dental fee guides, codes, insurance companies, and billing procedures
• Management of dental payment plans and estimates
• Booking and maintaining dental appointments and recall systems
• Dental office procedures
• Proficient use of dental computer software
• Effective oral and written communication skills

Course Details

Practicum

The program includes a two-week practicum that delivers valuable work experience and exposure to the dental office environment. To qualify for this module, students must complete all prior coursework with a minimum grade of A-.

For students residing in the Fraser Valley or Lower Mainland, UFV facilitates the arrangement of practicum placements. Students living beyond this area are responsible for securing their practicum site and must submit details for approval to ensure it meets program standards.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of all required courses and adherence to grade expectations, students can apply for graduation. The graduation application fee applies, and notifications regarding the availability of diplomas will be communicated via email.

Withdrawal Deadlines

Details regarding refund and withdrawal schedules can be found in the School of Continuing Education's documentation.

Additional Information

Students should be aware that participation in online components necessitates a computer or laptop (PC or Mac) with dependable internet and up-to-date software. Additional supplies may include scrubs and appropriate footwear based on practicum assignments, as well as basic school supplies like notebooks and pens.

This program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become skilled dental office receptionists who are in demand in various settings like dental offices, dental supply companies, insurance companies, and dental labs.

Objectives:

• Combine office administration skills with specialized dental knowledge.
• Develop strong communication and administrative skills to support any dental team.

Program Description:

This 15-week program follows a hybrid format:

• Mondays: On-campus sessions

Delivery:

• Mondays–Thursdays, 9:00 am–3:30 pm
• Location: Abbotsford — Clearbrook Centre

Tuition:

• \$5,610 (subject to change without notice)
• Financial aid available

Practicum:

• Yes, two practicums are included:
• 2-day clinical practicum
• 89% of graduates secure employment upon completion.
• Grads work in various locations including Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack, Langley, Maple Ridge, Surrey, Delta, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Alberta, and even as far as Australia.

Outline:

Skills and Knowledge:

• Role and responsibilities of the dental receptionist
• Dental anatomy, terminology, and procedures
• Dental fee guides, codes, insurance companies, and billing procedures
• Dental payment plans and estimates
• Booking and maintaining appointments and recall system
• Dental computer software
• Effective oral and written communication skills

Courses:

• Communication
• Dental Terminology
• Insurance
• Treatment and Payment Plans
• Computer Skills
• Practicum Orientation
• Practicums (2-day clinical, 2-week administrative)
• Review

Practicums:

• Two mandatory practicums provide work-like experience in the dental field.
• Successful completion of all previous coursework and attendance requirements is necessary for practicum participation.
• Practicum schedule reflects the hours of the practicum host.
• Practicum location assignments are made by Continuing Education, aiming to place students near their residence city but not guaranteeing it.
• Students are responsible for transportation to the practicum site.
• Finding your own practicum site is possible with departmental approval.
• 89% of graduates secure employment upon completion.
• Graduates work in diverse locations across Canada and internationally.

Other:

• Textbooks can be found using the UFV Bookstore's textbook search tool.
6324 Changes may occur after this date.

The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) is a fully accredited, public university located in the beautiful Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, just east of Vancouver. Enrolling approximately 15,000 students per year across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, as well as a growing presence in Chandigarh, India, UFV is a comprehensive university that combines the variety of a large institution with the small class sizes and personal connections of a community-focused one. Students come to UFV to learn in a hands-on environment where they know their instructors and are known in return.

UFV is situated in the traditional territory of the Stó:lō peoples. The Stó:lō have an intrinsic relationship with what they refer to as S'olh Téméxw (Our Sacred Land), and UFV expresses its gratitude and respect for the honour of living and working in this territory.

Changemaking

At UFV, changemaking is not a slogan; it is the organizing principle of the university's identity. As a designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, UFV prepares students to lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to stronger communities through innovation, reciprocity and a shared commitment to positive social change. Changemaking at UFV means turning knowledge into action, connecting learning to the real challenges facing communities in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia and the world beyond.

Academic structure

UFV is organized across six colleges, faculties and a school:

• College of Arts
• Faculty of Education, Community, and Human Development
• Faculty of Applied and Technical Studies
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Business and Computing
• Faculty of Science
• School of Graduate Studies

Programs

UFV offers more than 100 programs across academic, vocational, continuing education and trades pathways, including three master's degrees, 21 bachelor's degrees with majors, minors and extended minors in more than 35 subject areas, four graduate certificates, and more than a dozen trades and technology programs. Programs are available across a wide range of disciplines:

• Arts, humanities and social sciences: Bachelor of Arts in History, English, Philosophy, Communications, Political Science, Indigenous Studies, Global Development Studies, Latin American Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and more
• Business and management: Bachelor of Business Administration, Business Administration Diploma and Certificate, Agriculture Management BBA, Trades Management BBA, Accounting Certificate, Marketing and Sales Certificate
• Computing and technology: Computing Science BSc, Computer Information Systems (Bachelor, Diploma, Certificate), Automation and Robotics Technician Diploma, Engineering Physics Mechatronics Diploma, Engineering Common Core Certificate
• Creative arts and design: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic and Digital Design BFA and Diploma, Creative Writing BA and BFA.
• Education: Bachelor of Education, Adult Education Degree, Early Childhood Education Certificate and Diploma, TESL Certificate, Master of Education (Educational Leadership and Mentorship)
• Health sciences: Nursing BSc, Practical Nursing Diploma, Certified Dental Assistant Certificate, Child Life and Community Health Graduate Certificate
• Social work and human services: Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Social Work, Child and Youth Care BA, Social Service Worker Diploma (Indigenous Focus)
• Trades: Carpentry, Electrician, Plumbing and Piping, Welding, Automotive Service, Automotive Collision Repair, Cabinetmaking, Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation, Electronics Technician, and Culinary Arts Certificates
• Indigenous studies: Indigenous Studies BA, Stó:lō Studies Certificate, Social Service Worker (Indigenous Focus) Diploma
• Upgrading and access: Adult Basic Education, English Language Studies, Workplace TASK for adults with disabilities

Campuses

• Abbotsford (main campus): 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7M8 — the largest campus, home to the majority of UFV's faculties, research institutes, library, athletics facilities, housing and student services
• Chilliwack: a full-service campus offering a wide range of programs in the eastern Fraser Valley
• Mission: delivering programs and services for Mission-area students
• Hope: outreach and programming for the Hope community
• Chandigarh, India (UFV India): UFV's international campus, extending the university's reach to South Asia

Sustainability

UFV has achieved a Gold sustainability rating from AASHE (the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education), recognising its performance across environmental, social, and governance sustainability dimensions. Sustainability is embedded across campus operations, curriculum and community engagement, and UFV's Peace and Reconciliation Centre has earned international recognition for its work in restorative justice and reconciliation.

Open education

UFV is a leader in open education in British Columbia, committed to making learning more affordable and accessible through open textbooks, open educational resources and flexible learning models. Students who take courses using open textbooks save significantly on the cost of materials, reflecting UFV's belief that quality education should be accessible to everyone regardless of financial means.

Indigenous UFV

Indigenous affairs and reconciliation are woven through UFV's institutional identity. The Indigenous Affairs office, the Indigenous Student Centre, and dedicated programs in Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies reflect a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous students, honouring Indigenous knowledge and advancing reconciliation with the Stó:lō peoples on whose territory the university stands. UFV is actively engaged in implementing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action in its academic programs and institutional culture.

Research

UFV is an active research university, with faculty engaged in applied and community-focused research across all disciplines. The Centre for the Social Sciences and Humanities, the Peace and Reconciliation Centre, the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, and multiple research chairs bring structured research activity to the Fraser Valley community. UFV's research approach emphasises community engagement and real-world impact, consistent with its Changemaker Campus identity. Alumni have gone on to achieve notable research and professional milestones, including the development of North America's first mobile, modular soil-washing facility by a UFV alumnus in 2026.

Student life and housing

UFV offers a full range of student services, housing, and co-curricular programming to support student success and wellbeing. The new EverGreen residence on the Abbotsford campus offers modern suites and social spaces. A shuttle bus service connects campuses. Cascades Athletics supports varsity and recreational sport. CIVL Radio gives students a student-run campus radio station. The Academic Advising Centre, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights Office, and a dedicated Safe Student Community programme round out UFV's student support offer.

Contact

• Main address: 33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC, Canada V2S 7M8
• Phone: 1-604-504-7441
• Toll-free: 1-888-504-7441
• Email: info@ufv.ca

Why UFV

1. A fully accredited Canadian public university enrolling approximately 15,000 students, offering more than 100 programs from trades certificates through to master's degrees
2. A designated Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, preparing graduates who lead collaboratively, think critically and contribute to positive social change
3. Small class sizes with accessible, dedicated faculty across campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, plus a growing international campus in Chandigarh, India
4. A Gold AASHE sustainability rating and a nationally recognised Peace and Reconciliation Centre, reflecting UFV's commitment to environmental and social responsibility
5. A leader in open education in British Columbia, making learning more affordable through open educational resources across all programs
6. Deep Indigenous roots, with dedicated Indigenous Affairs and Indigenous Student Centre offices, Indigenous Studies and Stó:lō Studies programs, and active reconciliation commitments on Stó:lō territory
7. Located in the Fraser Valley, one of Canada's most scenic and economically dynamic regions, with easy connections to metropolitan Vancouver