Dental Office Assistant

What to expect from the program

In this program, you will develop your administrative skills with an emphasis on the needs of a dental sector, including: 

• Dental health record management skills, including established guiding principles, laws, and regulations 
• Professional, person-centred oral, electronic, and written communication skills   
• Privacy regulations, laws, and ethics standards 
• Correct pronunciation, spelling, and proper abbreviations of dental terms and procedures in oral health care communication and documentation  
• Identify and classify the basic anatomy of oral structures and dentition 
• Apply the principles of disease transmission, infection control, and workplace safety in dentistry  

Graduate with experience

NorQuest College believes in the importance of on-the-job experience that provides an enriched learning opportunity. 

You’ll graduate from this program with 150 hours of work experience from a practicum. 

Your practicum may be in your community or close by. Your schedule may include day, evening, or night shifts any day of the week, including weekends and holidays. You will work full-time during the practicum and provide your own transportation to the facility. 

Flexible learning

This program is designed to be accessible and meet students where they are at in their lives, regardless of background. It offers:  

• Flexible delivery options, including blended or online anytime, full time or part time  
• Frequent start dates  
• Compressed learning to an in-demand credential in 12 weeks  
• Multiple admission pathways, even for those without traditional academic qualifications  

Recommended qualifications

Students are more likely to be successful in this program if they: 

• Have access to a PC computer with a stable Internet connection 
• Have keyboarding and basic computer skills 
• Can type 40 words per minute before the program starts 
• Are able to dedicate 40-50 hours per week for full-time studies 

This program is not suitable for international students as the work permit needed for the practicum may not arrive in time. 

Career opportunities

Graduates have opportunities to work in general and specialty dental practices, dental labs, dental insurance companies and dental supply or manufacturing companies.

For more information about the career see:

• ALIS OCCinfo for an occupational profile
• ALIS WAGEinfo for salary information

What to expect as a dental office assistant

Students are more likely to be successful in this career if they: 

• Are interested in the administrative aspects of an oral health clinic 
• Enjoy working with the public in a health care setting 
• Are physically and emotionally able to manage workplace demands 
• Are able to work shift work, including evenings and weekends 
• Work well in a team environment 
• Enjoy administrative tasks and are committed to customer service