What to look for in a college
Ontario dental assisting educational programs are offered at both Community Colleges and Career Colleges. The national standard for dental assisting education in Canada is the Level II intra-oral program. Admission requirements vary from college to college but generally applicants must have the Ontario Secondary School Diploma with Grade 12 English, Biology and Chemistry. Programs include theoretical, pre-clinical and clinical components. Students complete an 80-hour placement as part of the curriculum.
Public Community Colleges
All community college programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC). Accreditation identifies a program that meets predetermined national requirements and enables a dental assistant to work in any province or territory in Canada.
Community Colleges in Ontario Offering Dental Assisting Educational Programs
- Algonquin College
- Cambrian College
- Confederation College
- Durham College
- Fanshawe College
- George Brown College
- Georgian College
- Niagara College
- St. Clair College
Career Colleges
Career colleges must be registered and approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005. This Act ensures that private career colleges meet certain standards for the programs they offer as well as advertising, refund policies and instructor qualifications. In some Career colleges, students complete the Level I program and then apply for the Level II component. Career college programs must be ODAA-approved for a graduate to qualify for Ontario certification. Presently, no Ontario career colleges are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC). Graduates of Level II career college programs will be required to write the NDAEB exam and complete the NDAEB Clinical Practical Evaluation (CPE) to work outside of Ontario. Please review the NDAEB website for further information.
Career Colleges in Ontario with Dental Assisting Educational Programs approved by ODAA
- Algonquin Careers Academy
- Anderson College
- Cestar College of Business, Health and Technology
- CDI College
- College of Dental & Medical Auxiliaries, Canada
- LA’Cite College in Ottawa
- Medix College of Healthcare
- Oxford College of Arts, Business & Technology
- Southern Ontario Dental College
- Spark Health and Business Academy
- The Canadian Academy of Dental Health & Community Sciences
- The National Academy of Health & Business
- Toronto College of Dental Hygiene and Auxiliaries Inc.
- Trillium College
- Willis College
For more information, please visit the Ontario Ministry of Education.