Dental assistants cleaning teeth

Dental Assisting

Become a valued member of the dental team in one semester and be in one of the fastest-growing careers. As a Dental Assistant, you will make a positive impact on people's lives by providing a quality oral healthcare. COD's Dental Assistant program offers comprehensive and varied training, composed of both classroom and hands-on activities.  

Upcoming Classes

The classes are offered during fall and spring semester, currently enrolling for Spring 2024. Contact healthcare@cod.edu and receive information on the next Dental Assistant program!

Registration Information

Externship

Gain real-world experience through a 120-hour externship, while engaging with peers and instructors through an online platform. 120 externship hours are scheduled to best fit student needs within site availability. Students must have their own transportation and be available to complete the externship.

Please note: Externships most often take place during normal business hours and successful completion of the externship is required to graduate. Externship dates are given in advance to ensure ample time to make the necessary arrangements to complete this important requirement.

Information Session

Students are required to attend this introduction before registering for the Dental Assistant course. Topics covered include course logistics, expectations and an overview of dental curriculum. Register and attend the next information session.

Career Information

*The median annual wage for dental assistants was $44,820 or $21.50 per hour in May 2022. Employment of dental assistants is projected to grow 11 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. The aging population and ongoing research linking oral health and general health will lead to continued increases in the demand for preventive dental services. 

We are committed in supporting to advance your career, complete this program and get a head start of COD's Dental Hygienist program.   

Prerequisites

  • 18 years of age
  • High school diploma or equivalency
  • English proficiency
  • No prior criminal background

Due to the inherent requirements of the profession as a dental assistants, students must possess additional non-academic skills. Psychomotor skills (hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity), visual acuity (normal or corrected vision) sufficient for safe practice of dental assistant duties and communication skills (ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with patients, doctors and other personnel and the ability to follow written and verbal directions).

Essential Functions are generally required for all College of DuPage Health Career Programs. If the ability to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations result in the inability to meet identified student learning outcomes, the student may be at risk of not successfully completing the course and/or program.

Tuition and Financial Options

Tuition fee is $2,999 and includes externship. A payment plan is available
This program is approved for funding by the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). Check with workNet DuPage for eligibility requirements. Explore financial options for Continuing Education programs.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Assistants,
at bls.gov (visited Oct. 28, 2021).

 

The connections I made in the Dental Assistant program had a significant impact on my career plans and navigation toward them. Through the program, I met instructors and fellow students who were already working in the field, and they provided me with valuable insights and guidance.

Vraj PatelClass of Fall 2018

Contact Information

Continuing Education
Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1110
(630) 942-2208
Fax: (630) 942-3785
Email: CE@cod.edu

Front Desk Hours
  • Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Office hours may vary due to holidays and staff coverage.