Become a Dental Assistant in Illinois 8-Week Certification Program
State-approved dental assistant training program in Chicago, Illinois
State Approved - No Experience Required
8-Week Program
Upcoming Dental Assistant Certification Program Date
March 11th, 2026
Class Schedule
Wednesdays 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM CST
Live interactive sessions via Zoom
Our 8-week hybrid dental assistant certification program covers patient care, chairside support, dental anatomy, infection control, and office administration. Live interactive sessions held via Zoom every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST, designed for career changers in Illinois with no prior dental experience required.
Dental Assistant Certification Program Syllabus
Comprehensive 8-week curriculum designed to prepare career changers in Illinois for success as a dental assistant
1
The Evolution of Dental Assisting
- Basic Tooth Identification and Morphology
- Understand Essential Dental Terms used in Daily Practice
- Learn how to navigate different tooth numbering systems
2
Dental Anatomy & Charting
- Learn the different classes of dental caries and what they mean
- Get familiar with clinical and anatomical charting protocols
- Explore how to educate patients using anatomy visuals and clear explanations
3
Office Workflow & Ethics
- Get familiar with common dental abbreviations and their meanings
- Master essential dental terminologies used in documentation and communication
- Understand the layout, roles, and flow of a typical dental office
4
Instrument and Materials
- Learn standard tray setups for various dental procedures
- Get to know essential dental instruments and their uses
- Explore the full armamentarium every assistant should recognize
5
Dental Specialties
- Understand the role of each dental specialty in patient care
- Learn how tray setups vary across specialties like ortho, endo, perio, and more
- Get familiar with common procedures unique to each specialty
6
From Classroom to Clinic
- Bridge the gap between theory and hands-on practice
- Learn what to expect during your first days in a dental office
- Build confidence in applying your skills chairside
7
Introduction to Dental Imaging Devices
- Understand the basics of dental X-ray equipment and how it works
- Learn essential safety protocols and radiation guidelines
- Get introduced to digital sensors, scanners, and imaging software
8
Real-World Experience
- Upon course completion, Dental AssistEd provides job placement assistance to help connect you with dental offices across the states we serve
- Apply everything you've learned in a real clinical setting
- Get mentored by experienced dental professionals in your first role
Enroll in Our Illinois Dental Assistant Certification Program
Join our 8-week state-approved dental assistant training program in Chicago. No prior experience required. Limited seats available.
Enroll NowDental Assistant Requirements by State
Click any state to view dental assistant training requirements, certifications, and scope of practice rules
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Illinois Dental Assistant Program Rules and Statutes
Student complaints must be submitted in writing to the Board (Section 85(i)(1) of the Act).
Information about the complaint may be submitted online through the IBHE website (www.ibhe.org).
Additional information regarding the complaint process can be obtained by contacting the Board at:
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools
1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield IL 62701
Phone Number: (217) 782-2551
Fax Number: (217) 782-8548
DentalAssistEd is not accredited by a US Department of Education recognized accrediting body.
DentalAssistEd is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about becoming a dental assistant in Illinois through our 8-week certification program
General
The Become a Dental Assistant program is an 8-week hybrid certification program designed for career changers with no prior dental experience required. It covers dental anatomy, patient care, chairside support, infection control, office administration, and dental imaging. Live sessions are held every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST via Zoom, followed by job placement assistance to help you start your career in a dental office.
Live sessions are held online via Zoom every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST. Dental AssistEd is based at 8755 West Higgins Rd, Chicago, IL 60631. After completing the program, our team provides job placement assistance to help connect you with dental offices across the states we serve.
The online portion of the program is accessible to anyone, and job placement assistance is available across all states we serve. If you are unsure whether we serve your area, contact us at [email protected] to discuss your options.
Eligibility
No prior dental experience is required. The Become a Dental Assistant program is specifically designed for career changers who are new to the dental field. All foundational knowledge is covered in the 8-week curriculum.
Students must be at least 16 years of age to qualify for WIOA grant funding. There is no upper age limit. If you are unsure about your eligibility, contact us at [email protected] or (847) 323-7572.
Pricing & Enrollment
The Become a Dental Assistant program is $3,700. This includes all 8 weeks of live online instruction, course materials, and job placement assistance. Eligible Illinois residents may qualify for WIOA federal grant funding that can cover the full cost of the program. Learn more about grant funding below.
You can enroll directly through our enrollment form. If you have questions before enrolling, you can also book a free discovery call with our team.
New cohorts are available multiple times throughout the year. View the upcoming program dates on this page or contact us at [email protected] to be notified when new dates are added.
Schedule & Format
Live sessions are held every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM CST via Zoom. The program runs over 8 weeks and includes self-paced study materials in addition to the live sessions. The hybrid format is designed to fit around your existing schedule.
The program is a comprehensive 80-hour curriculum combining live online instruction and self-paced coursework covering everything you need to start working as a dental assistant.
Yes. The program is designed to be flexible. Live sessions are only two hours per week on Wednesdays, and the remaining coursework is self-paced. This allows most students to continue working while completing the program.
Grant Funding
Yes. Eligible Illinois residents may qualify for WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) federal grant funding that can cover the full $3,700 cost of the program with no repayment required. Contact us to find out if you qualify.
You may qualify if you are an adult 18 or older with income eligibility, a dislocated worker, a youth between ages 16 and 24, or a Chicago or Cook County resident. Contact us at (847) 323-7572 or book a discovery call to discuss your eligibility.
Yes. The WIOA grant covers full program tuition, registration fees, required textbooks, learning materials, and training supplies. There is no repayment required. Your responsibilities include attending all classes, communicating with your career coach, completing the program, and seeking dental employment after graduation.
Accreditation
Dental AssistEd is a PACE-accredited training provider recognized by the Academy of General Dentistry and is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Note: Dental AssistEd is not accredited by a US Department of Education recognized accrediting body.
Yes. Upon successful completion of the 8-week program, you will receive a certificate of completion from Dental AssistEd. This certificate demonstrates your foundational training as a dental assistant to prospective employers.
Career & Job Placement
After completing the 8-week program, Dental AssistEd provides job placement assistance to help connect you with dental offices across the states we serve that are looking to hire trained dental assistants.
Yes. Dental AssistEd provides job placement assistance to help graduates connect with dental offices across the states we serve that are actively looking to hire. While we cannot guarantee employment, our team works to match qualified graduates with hiring dental practices in their area.
Yes. After gaining the required clinical hours, graduates can pursue advanced certification courses offered by Dental AssistEd including Illinois Coronal Polishing, Illinois Pit and Fissure Sealants, and eventually the EFDA Restorative certification. View all hands-on courses for more details.