Program Mapper: View course options for these programs, below.
Dental Assisting Certificate = 32 units (2 semesters)
Dental Assisting Associate in Science Degree = 60 units (2 years)
Dental Assistant Program Application Dates and Health Science Application Login
Dental Assistant Workshops Dates
Across the country, there is a profound shortage of qualified Dental Assistants and Registered Dental Assistants. Our program prepares students to satisfy this need. As a Dental Assistant you will be involved in a variety of duties including managing the front office, preparing the patient, taking radiographs, and mixing dental materials.
The Dental Assisting Program is a two-semester program that includes patient care experiences in a fully equipped on-site facility, with students assigned to clinics or dental offices for their externship experiences. Registered Dental Assistants not only are supportive members of the dental team, but also perform important in-mouth, oral procedures under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
After completion of dental assisting requirements, students may also earn a Dental Assisting Associate in Science Degree.
The job market for successful graduates consists of general dentistry as well as specialties in various disciplines such as oral surgery, orthodontics, pedodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and periodontics. These office settings vary from private to group practice, but also consist of supportive industries such as dental laboratories, insurance industries sales, and education.
The Cypress College Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements. The program also is accredited by the Dental Board of California, the Accrediting body for dental professionals in California through the Department of Consumer Affairs.
In the dental programs, there is potential for exposure to bloodborne and infectious disease by way of saliva and blood. The Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs at Cypress College require students to wear personal protective equipment for safety when working with classmates and patients in various dental procedures. Students in the program receive theory and practice regarding infection control procedures and prevention of exposure to bloodborne and infectious disease.
After successful completion of the Dental Assisting Program, students are eligible for certification in the following areas:
The goal of the Dental Assisting Program is to provide the student with the educational opportunity to attain the academic knowledge and competence necessary to qualify for both the National Certification
Examination and the California State Registered Dental Assistant Examination, and to prepare the student for dental assisting entry-level employment as an integral member of the dental health team.
In Compliance with the Dental board of California and the Dental Practice Act, all applicants for the Registered Dental Assistant examination must:
High School graduation or college degree required to apply to the Dental Assisting program. Applicants still completing high school courses will be required to provide proof of high school graduation no later than June of the year applying.
English 100C or ENGL 101C or ESL 110C College Writing with a letter grade of “C” or better, or in progress, beginning January 2025.
General Education and Graduation Requirements for Associate Degree option
The following General Education/Graduation areas are required for the Associate Degree. For options refer to the Associate Degree requirements in the catalog. All general education courses must be completed with a “C” or better. Please refer to the Cypress College Catalog for current Native General Education requirements.
Curriculum
Semester I (Fall)
Semester I Units – 16.0
Semester II (Spring)
Semester II Units – 15.5
Health Science Counselors
Division of Health Science
Cypress College
9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA 90630-5897
(714) 484-7015
Health Science Applications Office
Health Science Building/TE3-217
Cypress College
9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA 90630-5897
healthscience@cpresscollege.edu
Graduate from a Board-approved RDA educational Program minimum of 800 hours (approximately 8 months); or take an alternate pathway provided by the board.
Complete Board-approved courses in coronal polishing, radiation safety and dental sealants before a license will be issued.
Applicants must successfully pass the RDA and Law & Ethics written examinations.
The applicant must have no criminal record, or the board must determine that a past record poses no threat to the public and or the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The applicant must report on the application for licensures, any convictions or pleas of nolo contendere, even if the conviction was dismissed. Making a false statement on an application regarding past conviction is cause for denial of a license, regardless of the nature of the crime or how long ago it occurred. Finger printing is required and checked through the Department of Justice and or the Federal Bureau of investigation.
The North Orange County Community College District, in compliance with all applicable Federal and State Laws, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, age, religion, disability, sex, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures, or practices. The district is also committed to maintaining campuses that are free of harassment, drugs, and alcohol.
Review the program webpage for program information and the program application information page for prerequisite requirements and selection criteria.
Complete the sample application to prepare for the online application (see below).
Attend a Health Science Workshop (optional, but strongly recommended).
Speak with a Health Science Counselor about any questions or concerns regarding application (optional).
Apply to Cypress College as a general student and obtain a myGateway Student ID Number (example @01234567). It can take up to five business days. Applying to a Health Science program is a separate application.
Review the myGateway instructions on the Cypress College website.
Be prepared to upload a PDF copy, within the Health Science online application, of one of the following items required to apply to the Dental Assisting program: an unofficial High School transcript showing graduation, a copy of High School diploma, or a copy of an unofficial college transcript with a college degree posted on the transcript. For applicants still completing High School, a copy of the High School diploma must be provided not later than June of the year applying to the Dental Assisting program.
Dental Assisting applicants have the option to send official transcripts from other colleges to Cypress College Admission and Records. Submitting official transcripts for the Dental Assisting application is not required if you upload proof of high school or college graduation within the Health Science online application. Admission and Records will not accept transcripts opened prior to submission, PDF documents sent from a student, unofficial transcripts, or a Cypress College transcript. Allow 5 or more business days for transcripts to be processed. All transcripts must be submitted and processed by the official transcript due date.
To digitally send a transcript (directly from school to school) –
Use incomingtranscripts@cypresscollege.edu or choose Cypress College (if the option is provided during the ordering process)
To mail official transcripts to Cypress College use this address:
Cypress College
Admission and Records-Transcripts
9200 Valley View St.
Cypress, CA 90630
NOTE: If you sent official transcripts to Cypress College before being provided a Cypress College or Fullerton College student ID number (same number is used for both colleges), you must contact Cypress College Admission and Records and request for your transcript to be uploaded to your ID number in the transcript database.
Log into the online Health Science Application using myGateway credentials (8-digit student ID, also called a “banner ID,” and an accompanying password).
Fill in the Health Science online application for the chosen program. Only one application is allowed per application period. It is the applicant’s responsibility to fill in the application fully and correctly.
Upload a PDF document within the Health Science online application to show proof of high school or college graduation, if needed. Possible items: an unofficial transcript showing a college degree has been awarded, an unofficial High School transcript showing graduation, or a copy of High School diploma.
Once completed, click the submit button. A confirmation email will be sent containing the application number and other information.
Failure to provide a complete application will result in an ineligible application.
Exception: For applicants still completing High School, a copy of the High School diploma must be provided no later than June of the year applying to the Dental Assisting program. A copy of the High school document should be emailed to healthscience@cypresscollege.edu.
An applicant’s account will be locked once an application is submitted online. Updates or changes can be completed during the program’s next application period.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to log into their Health Science online application prior to the official transcript due date to ensure that all required items are checked off as received.
Allow five (5) business days for official transcripts to be checked off within the Health Science online application AFTER Cypress College Admissions and Records has received the official transcript.
If the transcript processing time has passed and an item has not been checked off within the Health Science online application, it is the applicant’s responsibility to contact Cypress College Admission and Records to confirm that the most current version of the official transcript was received AND uploaded to the Cypress College transcript database.
Any required items not checked off within the Health Science online application after the official transcript due date will not be updated. NO EXCEPTIONS.
The Health Science Applications Office will contact all applicants with a notification letter email no later than May 1 for fall consideration. The notification letter will be sent to the email address used on the application. Please do not contact the college for a status update before the notification letter date unless instructed to do so by the Health Science staff or faculty.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the Health Science Applications Office by May 2 if a notification letter email was not received. The deadline to respond is about three business days. Failure to respond to an Accepted and Alternate status notification letter email will result in the application being marked as declined and will be removed from the roster. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Applicants can view their status and application comments by logging into their Health Science Application.
Ineligible applications: It is the applicant’s responsibility to inquire about the reason their application was ineligible and correct any errors during the next application period.
If an applicant would like to discuss the application once applicants have received the notification letter, please contact a Health Science Counselor during business hours: Health Science Express Counseling-Cranium Café Lobby, or call (714) 484-7015 for appointment (if available) or Counselor hours of availability for virtual “walk-ins.”
Eligibility to apply (all answers must be “Yes”):
Will be 18 years of age at the time of program completion?
High school graduation or passing of the General Education Development (GED) OR high school proficiency test by the start of the program OR an associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited college/university?
List high school name on application. If using a college degree, list college on application and upload the unofficial transcript with degree posted on transcript, within the online Health Science Application. List full college name on application. DO NOT list districts or abbreviations. Accepted abbreviations are UC for University of California and CSU for California State University. Accepted examples: UC Irvine, CSU Long Beach.
Dental Assisting Certificate, 32 units
Dental Assisting Associate in Science Degree, 60 units
Depending on the number of prerequisites required and the number of units taken each semester, completing the certificate or the degree can take from two semesters to two years.
The program is $46 per unit for California residents, not including books, fees, and supplies. Units vary by course, but the average is three units per course. The unit cost for the certificate and associate degree will vary depending upon the number of prerequisites needed. Most students also qualify for some form of financial aid.
Please be prepared to meet the following estimated expense that will be incurred before the program begins and during.
Description | Approximate Cost |
Tuition | $1,472 |
Lab Fees includes all classes | $363 |
Parking Permit-per semester $35 | $70 |
Textbooks for entire program | $610 |
Description | Approximate Cost |
Purchase Blue and Green Teeth | $45 |
Patient radiology fee for 4 patients paid the first semester (4 x $25) | $100 |
Safety Glasses (2) | $6-10 |
Student membership American Dental Assistant Association (ADAA). This includes your student liability insurance for $10 optional. | $45
$10 |
CPR Card (paid at time CPR is taken) | $55 |
Clinical Attire-3-4 sets ($30/set) | With White Socks$90-120 |
Clinical rubber-soled white shoes | $50 |
Required-Hepatitis Vaccine and physical (may be covered by medical insurance or available at Student Health Services By Appointment) | $180 |
3 pairs Rubber Utility Gloves | $10-15 |
Description |
Pocket organizer with appointment calendar |
Large 3-ring binder with index dividers for clinical handouts, grading and charting criteria for reference during clinical. |
2-inch binder with dividers ( for externship paper) |
Plain wristwatch with second hand. Timex nurse’s watch is adequate. |
1 box of 45 gal clear trash bags |
Plastic clipboard with surface that allows for cleaning |
Plastic Container 16½ x 13 x 6¾ inch (for storage of all items) (No bigger) |
Hole punch |
1 box of paper clips |
Pencils and Pens |
1 red and blue pencil (Good quality) |
Small stapler |
1 can of air spray (electronics type) |
1 box of Ziploc bags—sandwich size |
Egg of Silly Putty |
Modeling Clay (3 colors; not play-dough) |
Feminine hygiene items |
Aspirin |
Deodorant |
Hand lotion |
Nail kit |
Toothbrush/paste |
Hair Bands/clips |
Brush |
Upon Completion of your program you are eligible to take the State and National Exams these are the approximate costs. Costs are subject to change at anytime.
Description | Approximate Cost |
(State) RDA Registration Application | $120 |
RDA Written Exam | $38.50 |
(National) CDA-Certified Dental Assistant Exam | $380 |
You’ll be able to work in general dentistry as well as various specialties like oral surgery, orthodontics, pedodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and andperiodontics. Salaries range from $31,160 to $46,000.
Office settings vary from private to group practice, and supportive industries such as dental laboratories, insurance industries sales, and education.
Dental Assisting Instructor
Program Mapper: View course options for these programs, below.
Dental Assisting Certificate = 32 units (2 semesters)
Dental Assisting Associate in Science Degree = 60 units (2 years)
Related Links:
Please consider attending an information workshop about Cypress College Health Science Programs. The Health Science Workshop Schedule and Reservations link is here: http://news.cypresscollege.edu/Documents/health-science/Health-Science-Workshop-Series.pdf