Become a Dental Assistant on the Central Coast
Dental Assistant Bootcamp
September 24 – November 7, 2024
Online and in-person
San Luis Obispo County Office of Education
New Session Coming Soon
Join our interest list to be notified about upcoming sessions.
Brighten Your Future
Dental assistants are needed in SLO County. Learn how you can start a new career.
Dental Assistants are In-Demand in SLO County and the Central Coast
Average local wages are $20-$25/hr for dental assistants. Once you’re hired, you can get licensed to become a Registered Dental Assistant with wages averaging $25-$30/hr.
Thank you to our sponsors.
To continue offering this valuable training at an affordable cost to participants, we are seeking financial support from the dental community. Donate here to become a sponsor.
2024 Bootcamp Schedule
- Introduction to Dental Assisting
- Chairside Assisting and Charting
- Dental Office Field Trip-Instruments
- Common Procedures/Terminology
- Introduction to Dental Assisting
- Resume Building/Interview Skills
- Dental Specialities and Chairside Assisting
- Infection Control
- Infection Control
- Dental Practice Act
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Customer Service/Professionalism
- Dental Office Operations/Roles
- Oral Hygiene/Career Paths
- Job Fair
- X-Ray Certification
- X-Ray Certification
*Schedule is subject to change based on instructor availability
*10-15 additional online instructional hours/homework each week outside of class
Hear from Dental Assistants in SLO County
Day in the Life of a Dental Assistant
Why Become a Dental Assistant?
Stephanie
Registered Dental Assistant
Ila
Dental Assistant Bootcamp Graduate
Lexy
Dental Assistant Bootcamp Graduate
Erika
Dental Assistant Bootcamp Graduate
Summer
Dental Assistant Bootcamp Graduate
Meghan
Dental Assistant Bootcamp Graduate
What Our Graduates Have to Say
Alison Demorales
"Learning from teachers with years of experience in the field was so valuable and seeing their passion for dentistry made me excited to get started."
Heather Castelberry
"I feel like I was able to show my daughter that it is never to late in life to achieve your dreams and follow your heart. "
Jose Angel Licona
"Everyone at the program was great, very informative and very nice and welcoming and this changed my trajectory of my career."
Breanna Florentino
"Not even a week after the course ended, I already got multiple job offers. I am so grateful that I took this course."
Course Descriptions
- Customer Service
- The purpose of this course is to provide expectations and standards for interacting with dental patients, coworkers, and everyone you may interact with in the course of your job.
- Dental Practice Act
- The purpose of this course is to serve as a guideline for dentists, orthodontists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and other professionals in the dental field who are working in the state of California. The course is to inform about the rules and regulations for safely and legally practicing dentistry in accordance with the California Dental Practice Act.
- CPR/Basic Life Support
- The AHA's BLS Course is designed for healthcare professionals and other personnel who need to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings.
- Infection Control
- The course will provide students with basic concepts, step-by-step procedures, and the current regulatory aspects related to infection control and office safety.
- X-Ray/Radiation Safety Certification
- This comprehensive certification course equips dental assistants with the essential knowledge and skills to safely handle and operate dental radiographic equipment. The course covers the principles of radiation safety, including the biological effects of radiation, proper protective measures, and the correct use of radiographic equipment in compliance with state and federal regulations. Participants will also learn about patient positioning, exposure techniques, and the importance of minimizing radiation exposure to both patients and staff. Upon completion, dental assistants will be prepared to safely and effectively perform radiographic procedures in a dental practice, ensuring the highest standards of patient care and safety.
FAQs
Why become a dental assistant?
If you’re interested in starting a stable career with regular hours in a rewarding career, becoming a dental assistant is an excellent starting point. Dental assistants play a crucial role in patient care and work closely with dentists during procedures and can be an entry to additional career opportunities.
What is the job outlook and salary?
Dental assistants are in high demand, especially on the Central Coast. Starting pay: $20-$25 per hour. With additional training, you can become a Registered Dental Assistant and earn $25-$30 per hour.
What are the career benefits?
Variety: Dental assistants handle diverse tasks.
Flexibility: Enjoy options for full- or part-time positions.
Superior working conditions: Work in a clean, pleasant, people-oriented environment.
Personal satisfaction: Experience fulfillment from one-on-one patient interactions.
What does a dental assistant do?
Dental assistants provide essential support to dentists, including:
Patient care assistance.
Dental instrument cleaning and preparation.
X-rays and lab tasks under dentist supervision.
Maintaining dental records.
Scheduling appointments and assisting with billing.
What does a day in the life of a dental assistant look like?
Work with dentists, hygienists, and patients.
Provide chair-side support.
Prepare instruments and equipment.
Document patient medical history and vital signs.
Explain dental hygiene to patients and ensure their comfort.
What are the necessary skills needed to become a dental assistant?
Soft Skills:
Be friendly and personable
Good communication skills
Dedication and reliability
Interest in learning
Technical Skills (Get at our bootcamp):
Infection Control certification
BLS/CPR
Dental Practice Act.
Effective communication as part of a team
Embark on a fulfilling career journey as a dental assistant. Join our bootcamp to gain the skills needed for success in this dynamic and rewarding field. Complete the online application form to register for our upcoming bootcamp.
Take the Next Step
Join our interest list to be notified about upcoming sessions.