March 3 – 9 is Dental Assistants Recognition Week and CWI’s Dental Assisting program will be on-site at NMEC to help the community brush up on all things teeth.
Read more about Support Your Teeth During Dental Assistant’s WeekDental Assistant – Online
Empower Your Dental Career with Exceptional Online and In-Person Training
Program Overview
Dental assistants are the cornerstone of a smooth-running dental office, often being the primary point of contact for patients. In College of Western Idaho's (CWI) online Dental Assistant program, offered through Workforce Development, you will learn to play this critical role effectively. This self-paced program, combining 300 hours of online training with 100 clinical hours, can be completed in as little as 12 months.
You will learn to assist dentists during procedures, sterilize instruments, take dental impressions, manage office records, including billing and paperwork, and provide exceptional patient care. Your training will also cover important topics like HIPAA rules, endodontic procedures, embryology, and dental imaging. CWI is committed to helping you find a suitable clinical placement within our vast network of dental organizations.
Learning Opportunities
- Assisting in Dental Procedures: Learn to support dentists effectively during various dental treatments.
- Instrument Sterilization & Dental Impressions: Master the art of sterilizing instruments and taking dental imprints.
- Office Management Skills: Acquire skills in managing dental records, scheduling appointments, and handling billing.
- Patient Care & Communication: Enhance your ability to greet, care for, and instruct patients on oral care.
- Comprehensive Dental Knowledge: Gain knowledge in HIPAA regulations, dental anatomy, and imaging techniques.
- Clinical Experience & NELDA Preparation: Prepare for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam with hands-on clinical experience.
Areas of Study
Minimum age requirement to start this program is 18.
Degrees & Certificates
Certificate of Completion
Career Opportunities
Postsecondary Teachers
1109
Annual Openings*
$35.10
Hourly Median Wage*
$73,008
Annual Median Salary
18.28%
Growth (2025 – 2035)*
Dental Assistants
Perform limited clinical duties under the direction of a dentist. Clinical duties may include equipment preparation and sterilization, preparing patients for treatment, assisting the dentist during treatment, and providing patients with instructions for oral healthcare procedures. May perform administrative duties such as scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes.
533
Annual Openings*
$18.11
Hourly Median Wage*
$37,669
Annual Median Salary
14.86%
Growth (2025 – 2035)*
*Data sourced from Lightcast™, a labor market analytics tool, and limited to the state of Idaho. Contact CWI Institutional Research for questions regarding this data. Career pathways may require further education beyond CWI.
Registration
Step 1
- Review online training details including:
- a program overview and outline
- cost and payment options
- career information
- and more.
Step 2
- Complete registration and payment through CareerStep.
Financial Information
Payment in full or satisfactory payment arrangements for Workforce Development classes are required at the time of registration. Payment and funding options are available.
Advising
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