Imagine yourself in a busy dental office working with adults and children and assisting a busy dentist. If you like a fast-paced, on-the-go environment and helping people achieve dental health, then the OCC Career Advantage Registered Dental Assistant program may be right for you. Our program includes a clinical rotation where you will get hands-on training in a dental clinic or a local dental office. OCC students train with industry-standard dental technology, and graduates are prepared to take the state and national registered dental assistant certification exams.

OCC graduates go to work in successful dental practices throughout Orange County and the Southern California region. We offer a short-term certificate program and the option to earn an associate degree. If you see the value in good oral health and are ready to help others achieve it, read on to learn more about our program.

A sampling of courses for these careers

  • Dental Anatomy
  • Chairside Techniques 1
  • Dental Materials
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Preventive and Community Dentistry
  • Dental Radiography 1
SEE COURSE CATALOG

 

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Program Details

Complete the certificate program, and you'll be well-prepared to enter a career in dental assisting. Earn an associate degree for even greater advancement opportunities.

View program detail in course catalog.

Dental Assisting-Registered

Learn dental radiology, preventative therapy, patient management, receptionist duties, expanded functions and office management. You will be prepared to work as a dental assistant at a private dental office, specialty practice, federal or state dental program or dental school. You also will have the knowledge and skills needed to take the California Registered Dental Assistant Exam and the National Certification Exam, and qualify for a state radiation license, as well as certifications for coronal polishing, pit and fissure sealant, and ultrasonic scaling for cement removal. 

 View program detail in course catalog.

Dental Assisting-Registered

Complete the Registered Dental Assisting Certificate of Achievement and the Associate in Science graduation requirements to earn an associate degree. Learn dental radiology, preventative therapy, patient management, receptionist duties, expanded functions and office management. You will be prepared to work as a dental assistant at a private dental office, specialty practice, federal or state dental program or dental school. You also will have the knowledge and skills needed to take the California Registered Dental Assistant Exam and the National Certification Exam, and qualify for a state radiation license, as well as certifications for coronal polishing, pit and fissure sealant, and ultrasonic scaling for cement removal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Programs That Might Interest You

Medical assistant with stethoscope and vitals chart smiles at camera

MEDICAL ASSISTING

Complete our certificate program to launch a career in medical assisting

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Woman sitting in front a girl places her fingers near her mouth to show speech during a lesson.

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT

Earn an associate degree to enter this field as an assistant to a pathologist

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A technician points to a specific point on an x-ray placed against a light

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY

Explore our associate-degree program to prepare for a career in diagnostic imaging

Learn More

Did you know?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people who have a certificate as
their highest level of education earned, on average, 20 percent more than
those whose highest education level is a high school diploma.

Our Team

Katie Ottoson
Katie Ottoson, M.S.
Counselor, CTE and
Career Services
Caryn Plum
Caryn Plum
Counselor, Allied
Health Careers