This Chairside Dental Assistant Program is a blended package that will provide you with both the clerical and dental assisting skills that are highly valuable and sought after in a dental clinic environment. You will be trained to prepare patients for dental check-ups, assist the dentists in different procedures, and also do clerical duties like scheduling appointments and managing records.
Dental assistants work in dental clinics, hospitals, community health services, etc. As an integral part of the dental practice, you will have the skills to assist dentists directly with patient care.
This comprehensive dental assistant course is also 100% online. Enroll from anywhere across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
This Dental Assistant Diploma in BC has been reviewed and approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
*Completion of the Dental Assistant program offered by Edison College Canada does not qualify graduates to apply for certification with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) as a Certified Dental Assistant in BC or registration with other provincial dental assisting regulatory authorities. For more information about the process, visit the BCCOHP website.
Dental assistant programs are designed to prepare students to follow professional guidelines so that the patients get safe and infection-free treatment. The courses in this diploma are also carefully designed while keeping in mind the highest standards of ethics and professionalism to meet the industry standards.
Upon successful completion of this Dental Chairside Assistant Course, graduates will be able to:
• Apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be a safe, competent, and confident member of the dental health care team.
• Apply dental infection control and record management protocols consistent with published professional guidelines.
• Maintain a high level of professional behaviour, personal integrity, and ethics in the practice of dentistry and in dealing with patients under their care.
• Maintain patient and personal safety in the practice environment.
• Incorporate interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills in critical thinking, interpretation, reasoning, questioning, and decision-making.
British Columbia’s dental sector is one of the most active and consistently staffed areas of healthcare employment in the province — and demand for trained dental assistants is growing across every type of practice, from private clinics and orthodontist offices to community health centres and hospital dental departments.
In B.C., WorkBC has designated dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants as a High Opportunity Occupation — a provincial designation reserved for fields with strong, sustained demand over the coming decade. Dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants (NOC 33100) in B.C. can expect approximately 3,130 job openings between 2025 and 2035, with average annual earnings of $54,282 WorkBC — making this one of the most accessible and reliably in-demand health care career pathways in the province.
The B.C. employment outlook for dental assistants for 2025–2027 is rated Moderate by the Job Bank, with growth driven by two key forces: B.C.’s sustained population expansion and the rollout of federal dental coverage. As the province has experienced robust population growth in recent years, the Government of British Columbia has invested in expanding health care services — and the implementation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will likely increase demand for dental assistants further. Job Bank
Approximately 7,200 people currently work as dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants across B.C., with the overwhelming majority employed in ambulatory health care services — and the Mainland/Southwest region accounts for nearly two-thirds of all dental assistant positions in the province. CDI College Victoria and Vancouver Island represent a concentrated and accessible local market for graduates of this in-class Victoria program.
An important note about this program: chairside dental assistants in B.C. are not regulated and do not need to be certified to work WorkBC — meaning graduates of this 16-week diploma can enter the workforce directly as trained chairside assistants. Completion of this program does not qualify graduates to apply for certification as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP); for information on the CDA certification pathway, please visit the BCCOHP website.
Sources: WorkBC — NOC 33100 | Government of Canada Job Bank — Dental Assistant BC
Graduates of the Chairside Dental Assistant diploma are prepared for hands-on patient care and clinical support roles across the full spectrum of dental practice environments in B.C. Career opportunities include:
Clinical Chairside Roles:
Dental Support & Administration:
Industry & Commercial Roles:
Laboratory Settings:
Dental assistants work in dentists’ offices, community health centres, clinics, and educational institutions — supporting dentists, dental hygienists, and dental therapists during patient examinations and treatments, while also performing clerical duties. WorkBC The blended clinical and administrative training in this diploma prepares graduates for both the chairside and organizational functions of a dental practice — a dual-competency that many dental employers actively seek in a single hire.
Dental assistants work in some of the most stable and professionally rewarding healthcare settings available to graduates of a short-duration diploma program in B.C.:
Private Dental Clinics: The primary employer of dental assistants in B.C., accounting for the large majority of all positions in the province. General dentistry practices in Victoria, the Greater Victoria area, and Vancouver Island hire chairside assistants to support daily patient care, instrument sterilization, infection control, and administrative duties.
Specialist Dental Practices: Orthodontist, endodontist, prosthodontist, oral surgeon, and periodontist offices all employ dental assistants with specific chairside support skills — with specialist practices often offering higher wages than general practices. The blended curriculum of this program, covering a range of procedure types and patient care scenarios, prepares graduates to work across these specialty settings.
Hospitals & Community Health Centres: Dental departments within hospitals and community health organizations employ dental assistants for public oral health programs and hospital-based dental services. Dental assistants work in clean, well-lit dentists’ and orthodontists’ offices, hospitals, public health centres, clinics, and educational institutions — and typically work 40 hours per week, with some positions offering Saturday or evening hours. WorkBC
Pedodontist (Pediatric) Offices: Dental practices specializing in child patients employ assistants specifically trained in patient communication and accommodation for diverse patient types — skills developed directly through the patient care and interpersonal communication components of this program.
Dental Sales & Distribution: Graduates with clinical knowledge of instruments, materials, and dental procedures are well-positioned for entry-level roles with dental supply companies, product distributors, and dental manufacturing firms — roles that leverage the procedural and product knowledge gained in the clinical foundations and assisting courses.
Dental Laboratories: Dental laboratory assistants support dental technologists in fabricating dentures and other dental devices — providing an alternative career pathway for graduates interested in the technical production side of the dental sector.
A career in dental assisting in B.C. offers competitive healthcare wages with steady professional growth — and one of the fastest time-to-employment timelines of any health care diploma program available in the province.
In British Columbia, dental assistants (NOC 33100) typically earn between $24.00 and $36.00 per hour Job Bank — reflecting a reliable, above-minimum-wage entry into the healthcare sector immediately upon completing this 16-week program.
WorkBC reports average annual earnings for dental assistants and dental laboratory assistants in B.C. of approximately $54,282 WorkBC — a meaningful annual income for a program completed in just four months, with no prior healthcare experience required.
The provincial median hourly wage for dental assistants in B.C. is $30.00, with experienced professionals earning up to $36.00 per hour CDI College — with B.C., alongside Alberta and Saskatchewan, consistently among the highest-paying provinces for dental assistant roles in Canada.
Graduates who choose to pursue further training after entering the workforce have clear advancement pathways available. With additional training and licensing, a chairside assistant can become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) — and CDAs who wish to specialize can train in orthodontics or prosthodontics. WorkBC Individuals may also begin their careers as dental assistants and advance to the position of dental hygienist or therapist through further education and training WorkBC — making this diploma a strong professional foundation for those with longer-term ambitions in oral health care.
Please note that this program prepares graduates for chairside dental assisting roles in B.C. Completion does not qualify graduates to apply for CDA certification with the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP). For details on the CDA certification pathway, please visit bccohp.ca.
Sources: WorkBC — NOC 33100 | Government of Canada Job Bank — Dental Assistant BC
"Graduating from this program as a Mental Health and Addiction Community Support Worker has been a truly impactful experience. The education I received provided me with both the knowledge and practical skills needed to support individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges in a meaningful and compassionate way.
The instructors were supportive, knowledgeable, and brought real-world experience into the classroom, which made the learning feel relevant and applicable. I especially valued the focus on trauma-informed care, cultural awareness, and building genuine connections with clients.
This program helped me grow not only professionally but personally. I left feeling confident, prepared, and motivated to make a difference in my community. I’m grateful for the foundation it gave me and would recommend it to anyone looking to pursue a career in mental health and addiction support
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"I had a great experience completing my Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant program at Edison College. The course was practical, easy to follow, and really helped me feel prepared to work in the field. I would definitely recommend it to others."
"My experience at Edison College Canada has been very rewarding. The Community Support Worker program, especially the Mental Health and Addiction specialization, has helped me build confidence and real-world skills to support vulnerable individuals in my community. I feel more prepared for my future career."
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