Education · 1 of 5

The path

One school year, one national exam, then register in your province.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Grade 12 English, plus biology and chemistry at most colleges.

2. 2

   Dental assisting certificate

   8 to 12 months

   8 to 12 months at a college. Chairside assisting, X-rays, instrument sterilization, taking impressions, and a clinic placement. Look for a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.

3. 3

   NDAEB (National Dental Assisting Examining Board) exam

   After graduation

   One national written exam. Nine provinces require it for new graduates. Graduates of non-accredited programs also do a hands-on clinical evaluation.

4. 4

   Register or certify in your province

   A few weeks

   A regulatory college in most provinces. In Ontario, the Ontario Dental Assistants Association certifies Level II assistants instead.