Certified Dental Assistant Certificate is a certificate in Health Sciences programme taught at Okanagan College in Kelowna, Canada. The programme runs for 10 months, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition is CAD 5,500 per total for local students.
At a glance
Degree:Certificate
Field:Health Sciences
Duration: 10 months
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 5,500 / total
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The Certified Dental Assistant Certificate provides you the education, training and experience required by the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) for registration as a Certified Dental Assistant. You'll learn specific procedures and administrative tasks required to work in a dental office and how to best care for patients. A supervised practicum at the end of the program allows students to practice and gain hands-on experience. Upon graduation, you'll work as a certified dental assistant in dental offices under the supervision of a dentist.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Domestic applicants only, per the College's program page, and competitive - the College says the program regularly attracts more applicants than seats and advises applying early.
Academic base: B.C. secondary-school graduation or the equivalent, or being 19 or older and out of secondary school for a year by the first day of classes.
English 12 at 60 per cent, or one of the College's published alternatives.
Biology 12, Anatomy and Physiology 12, or the provincial-level ABE biology course, at 60 per cent.
Health and clearance requirements: a dental examination confirming healthy teeth and oral tissues; criminal record check clearance through the B.C. Criminal Records Review Program, begun only when Admissions instructs you; a negative tuberculin test within six months of applying, or documented follow-up after a positive result; and Red Cross or St. John Ambulance standard first aid plus Basic Life Support CPR level C completed no more than 12 months before the first day of classes. Current immunisation is strongly advised, with hepatitis B vaccination particularly recommended.
Selection: because places are limited, applicants are ranked on points, to a maximum of 9 - 2 points for chairside dental assisting experience in British Columbia or the equivalent, 4 points for work as a dental receptionist or dental laboratory technician or assistant (maximum 2 per position), 2 points for having done Okanagan College HLT 092 (Introduction to Dental Assisting) or its equivalent, a dental reception program, or some or all of another dental assisting program, and 1 point for having applied to the program in the immediately preceding year. Experience claims must be verified by the employer on the College's reference form, and study by official transcript. An applicant with points can be offered a seat ahead of one with none.
Applicants are advised to attend the program's annual orientation session, normally held in spring; the College notifies applicants of the date. Students in this program act as both patient and caregiver in simulated lab work.
Application Details
Start Date:Intakes published by Okanagan College for this program: August 2026 (Kelowna); January 2027 (Kelowna). Campus availability differs by intake and the program page shows which are still open.
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants only. No fixed closing date is published, but the College calls the program popular and strongly advises early application. Because it usually attracts more applicants than seats, selection is by points: up to 2 points for B.C. chairside dental assisting experience, up to 4 for dental reception or dental laboratory experience, up to 2 for completing Okanagan College HLT 092 or an equivalent dental assisting course, and 1 for having applied in the immediately preceding year, to a maximum of 9. Applicants with points are offered seats ahead of those without. As published, the August 2026 Kelowna intake is closed and the January 2027 Kelowna intake is open. (2026-27 Okanagan College Calendar.)
