Dental Assisting Program FAQ

Our Dental Assisting program is an accelerated, 12-week hybrid course consisting of 166 total clock hours. The curriculum is specifically designed by practicing dentists to provide you with the core essential skills needed to begin a successful career in dental assisting.   

To provide the best balance of flexibility and practical experience, the program is structured into four integrated components:

• Online Theory (35 Hours): Enjoy the flexibility of completing your foundational classroom lectures online through our Learning Management System. You can study dental anatomy, terminology, and theory remotely at your own pace before attending your weekly labs.  
•  Hands-On Clinical Lab (88 Hours): Every week, you will train in person inside a real, functioning dental practice. You will get hands-on experience with modern dental software (Dentrix), digital scanners, dental photography, and chairside restorative assisting.    
• Basic Life Support / CPR (3 Hours): In-person BLS certification training is built into your lab schedule to ensure you are fully prepared for clinical emergencies.
• Clinical Externship (40 Hours): To complete your training, you will be placed in a local dental office to gain 40 hours of real-world, hands-on experience working directly with a practicing dentist and real patients.                                                                                     

Built-In State Certifications

Unlike many other programs, our 166-hour curriculum fully integrates three mandatory Dental Board of California certifications at no additional institutional cost:   

• Radiation Safety (32 Hours)   
• Infection Control (8 Hours)   
• California Dental Practice Act (2 Hours)   (Note: Students earn these state certifications by successfully completing the required module hours and passing the associated written and practical exams prior to graduation).

Our custom curriculum and online student portal gives you access to a total of 12 modules, each divided into sections containing lecture slides, quizzes, and tests. The modules include clinical instruction video guides and voiceover content, giving each student an individualized and personalized educational experience as if one of our Dental Assisting Instructors were right there with you! Students can also choose to go back and retake quizzes and tests to reinforce concepts, improve their grades, and study for the final exam.

Modern, Hands-On Training

Oceanpointe Dental Assisting Academy of San Jacinto's clinical training is structured around the latest standards and techniques in modern dentistry.

Our up-to-date curriculum is designed to give you the practical skills, technical understanding, and hands-on confidence you need to step directly into your new career and become a highly capable member of any oral healthcare team.

A Curriculum Built for Success

Oceanpointe Dental Assisting Academy of San Jacinto's custom curriculum has been carefully crafted and refined by a network of experienced dental professionals to provide you with the most relevant, useful, and up-to-date training.

Because our program is developed with direct input from practicing dentists, you will be trained from the perspective of your future employer. You will learn exactly what a doctor expects from their team members on day one.

Our goal is to give you a massive competitive edge in the job market. Through the use of modern dental technologies and proven clinical training techniques, our curriculum is built around the exact needs of today’s successful Dental Assistants. This includes graduating with your mandatory 32-Hour Radiation Safety, 8-Hour Infection Control, and 2-Hour CDPA state certifications!

Our program is designed to be completed in two parts (online learning and hands-on training) to ensure students graduate with the skill set they need to be a successful Dental Assistant. We feel strongly that online classes alone will NOT give you the full education necessary for the hands-on technical career that Dental Assisting requires.

A Schedule Designed for Your Busy Life

Our comprehensive 166-hour program is designed to be completed in just 12 weeks.

The first 10 weeks feature a flexible blend of self-paced online theory and hands-on Saturday clinical training inside our modern facility. To finish your training, you will complete a 40-hour clinical externship during Weeks 11 and 12. This final rotation allows you to apply everything you have learned in a real-world dental office setting before you graduate!

OceanPointe of San Jacinto has designed a schedule around our students’ needs so they don’t have to wait months to start the next class. Our new classes start every thirteen weeks with open enrollment for each session available for you to join at any point during the year.

Personalized, Small-Group Instruction

We intentionally keep our clinical classes small by maintaining a strict 6:1 student-to-instructor ratio.

This intimate class size allows us to dedicate focused attention to every student so no one gets left behind. Our goal is to provide you with highly personalized, hands-on training and expert guidance to create an exceptional and supportive learning experience!

While no educational institute can legally guarantee employment, what OceanPointe of San Jacinto can guarantee is that we’ll be with you every step of the way. With aid and guidance from OceanPointe of San Jacinto Student Advisors to help you land your first job as a Dental Assistant, our externship and job placement support provide the resources you need to be successful! Our broad professional network of dentists and dental practices includes affiliation agreements with some of the largest and most well-known dental support organizations in the country! What does this mean for you, the student? Upon enrollment, you will gain exclusive access to our private listing of all available externships and job opportunities, giving you a BIG advantage toward gainful employment in your new career. Our goal is to support you through every step of this journey as you transition out of the “classroom” and into a dental practice. Dental Assistants continue to remain in high demand, with job outlook expected to see huge growth through the coming years. Our goal is to ensure you’re able to get a job and start earning a paycheck ASAP!

Your 40-Hour Clinical Externship

A 40-hour externship is required to successfully complete our program, providing an invaluable bridge between classroom learning and the professional world. Externships can be completed right here in our onsite clinical facility during regular working hours.

We encourage students to treat their externship as an extended "working interview." It is an exceptional opportunity to showcase your new clinical skills, demonstrate your work ethic, and prove your value to a dental team. Many of our graduates use this hands-on experience to successfully transition into part-time or full-time employment!

Show Up Ready to Succeed

Because you will have already mastered your 32-Hour Radiation Safety, 8-Hour Infection Control, and 2-Hour California Dental Practice Act (CDPA) certifications during your coursework, you will step into your externship with total confidence.

Many students will line up interviews as they’re wrapping up the program, while others are more comfortable waiting until they’ve completed all program requirements before nailing down a job. The job placement support offered through our Student Advisor’s is your best tool and can open doors of opportunity that you won’t find elsewhere. We’re here to encourage, help, and support you during this exciting time as you start your new career!

No Hidden Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Everything you need to successfully complete our Dental Assisting program is included in your total program cost.

Upon enrollment, you will receive full access to Oceanpointe Dental Assisting Academy of San Jacinto's online student portal. Your itemized materials fee fully covers the use of all lab supplies, dental equipment, and clinical materials. We also provide your healthcare provider CPR/BLS certification and a set of clinical scrubs, so you never have to worry about unexpected, out-of-pocket expenses for your training!

The admissions process into OceanPointe of San Jacinto Dental Assistant training program is as easy as 1, 2, 3,4 and can be completed right here on our website in a matter of minutes! Your new career is just a click away. Here are the steps to get started:

Step 1: Click HERE to submit your enrollment application.

Step 2: Follow the prompts and pick from a variety of payment options based on your economic situation. We have financial assistance to fit every type of student, ensuring your education is affordable and cost-effective!

Step 3: Create your account and log in to get started with your online learning!

Your Graduation Credentials

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a formal Certificate of Completion from Oceanpointe Dental Assisting Academy of San Jacinto, proving you have met all the requirements of our comprehensive dental assisting training.

In addition to your program diploma, you will graduate with the official certificates for your Dental Board-approved courses, including your:

32-Hour Radiation Safety Certification

8-Hour Infection Control Certification

2-Hour California Dental Practice Act (CDPA) Certification

To ensure your resume stands out, you will also receive your CPR/BLS Certification and a personalized letter of recommendation from the school and our School Director, Dr. Deza. These are essential credentials to present to future employers, demonstrating that you are fully trained, certified, and ready to step confidently into the workforce!