Become A San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning

Dental Assistant In Just 15 Weeks!

Flexible Learning Schedule

Saturday Classes

There are 3 cohorts a year! Convenient, flexible, and affordable, your success is our top priority. Start earning a competitive salary in the growing field of dentistry in 15 weeks!

Exempt postsecondary educational institution by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Apply for FREE

What our SDCDS Members Have to Say

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One of the most pressing issues facing the dental profession right now is the shortage
of qualified dental assistants. Practices across San Diego County, and across the
country, are struggling to find trained staff who are ready to step into a clinical setting
with competence and confidence. This shortage not only affects dental teams but also
delays patient care and limits access.

The SDCDS Academy of Learning is directly addressing this problem by creating a
reliable pipeline of well-prepared professionals. Students are graduating with real-world
skills, professionalism, and a strong foundation in patient-centered care. As a result,
local dental practices gain access to a workforce that is trained to meet modern
demands from day one. It’s a solution we desperately need, and it’s being led by the
organization we trust most.

Virginia Mattson, DMD

The SDCDS Academy of Learning is a game-changer not just for the dental community, but for the individuals who choose to enroll. This program offers students a high-quality, hands-on education at an affordable price, making a career in dental assisting more accessible than ever before.

What makes this program truly stand out is that it was built by the San Diego County Dental Society, an organization with a long-standing reputation for excellence, integrity, and community impact. That means students are learning from a curriculum designed by dental professionals who understand exactly what skills are needed to succeed in today’s dental offices.

Dr. Brad Sainsbury, D.D.S, M.S.

San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning

We’re new. But we’re not just another dental assisting school.

SDCDS Academy of Learning prepares students with the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills needed to begin a successful career in dental assisting. Graduates will be ready for employment in dental offices and equipped to pursue advanced opportunities in the dental field—opening doors to lifelong professional growth in a vital, science-driven industry.

Why Should I Become A Dental Assistant?

Great Pay and Benefits

Pursue a career path that can lead to a stable income, health and dental benefits, 401k options, and generous time off.

11% Job Growth Rate

Dental assisting is one of the FASTEST-GROWING occupations in the United States. Just in the San Diego area, there is a HUGE DEMAND for skilled dental assistants. You will not have trouble finding a job, but rather have the problem of deciding which dental office to work for.

Work/Life Balance

Dental offices are usually open 8-5 during the weekdays. This allows dental assistants to work predictable hours, have the weekends free, and find a great work/life balance compared to most jobs!

Make A Difference

As a dental assistant, you will be providing a vital service to your community. You will be helping people to maintain their oral health, which in turn will lead to a better overall quality of life!

Only 15 Weeks!

Our accelerated dental assisting program is only 15 weeks long, meaning that you will be trained and ready to start your new career fast!

Why Should I Choose San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning

You’ll Be Ready To Thrive In Your New Career

At San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning, you will be taught by practicing dentists in the San Diego area. Our instructors, which include Dr. Young and supporting staff, are experienced dental professionals who bring their real-world expertise to the classroom. They’ve hired and employed many dental assistants. They will ensure you learn the latest techniques and best practices in dental assisting, including chairside assisting, dental radiology, infection control, and patient communication. As a program created by the San Diego County Dental Society, which represents more than 2,000 local dentists, our students benefit from unique access to a strong professional network. This means greater visibility for job opportunities and hands-on externship experiences with member dentists throughout the region. With more than 40 years of combined professional experience among our staff, we are proud to offer a program that prepares you for a successful career in dental assisting.

You’ll Be Ahead of the Competition When Applying to Jobs

Our application support program is designed to equip our students with the tools and skills they need to land their dream job. We offer job application support in these four ways:

Resume templates and coaching to ensure our graduates stand out in the competitive job market.
Mock interviews to help build confidence and prepare for real interviews.
Salary negotiation techniques, which are essential for getting the best compensation package possible.

You’ll Graduate With Little To No Debt

We understand that finances can be a major concern for many students, so we’re offering eligible students a 50% off tuition scholarship.

To further help out, we also offer flexible financing options. This means you can explore a new career at an affordable rate.

Apply Now

Online Learning

Customized Online Learning Platform

Hours of Dental Assisting content, include video and voiceover audio

Convenient & flexible self-paced classes

Real-time grading

Multiple Quiz and test attempts

Custom curriculum developed by practicing dentists

Private access to San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning’s latest job opportunities

Hands-On Training

Get Real Life Training

We train you in a real dental practice with real dental technologies taught by real Dental Assistants.

Our modern hybrid program includes online learning with hands-on clinical training.

Convenient and affordable

Jump Into Your New Career

Flexible financing options
New class sessions three times a year
One convenient location
Small class sizes (Student to Instructor ratio 12:1)
Job placement assistance
CPR certifications included
Enroll 100% online in less than 5 minutes!

Start A Promising Career In Just 15 Weeks

$42,500

Avg. Annual Salary

4 Days

Avg. Workdays per Week

11%

Expected Growth Rate through 2030

44,000

Estimated # of job openings each year through 2030

Apply For Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Exempt postsecondary educational institution by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

We are now accepting applications for the Winter Term.

Our winter term will begin on February 7th 2026. Our spring term will begin on May 23rd 2026.

The program is 15 weeks long.

Classes are held once a week on Saturday from 9 am – 6 pm. This schedule allows our students to continue working their current jobs while they complete the program. Additionally, students should plan to attend a 4-hour orientation session prior to the first day of class.

There are a maximum of 12 students in each class. This allows for plenty of individualized attention and ensures that everyone in the class gets the most out of the program.

At capacity, we have one teacher to every twelve students.

The curriculum is blended. About 25 hours of instruction will be available online, and 80 hours will be conducted in person.

The program usually costs $6,500. However, we are currently offering a $4,000 tuition scholarship to our winter cohort, bringing the cost down to $2,500. This tuition covers the 15-week program and includes dental supplies, textbook, and scrubs and shirt.

We offer various payment plans to meet your needs:

FULL PAYMENT. Program must be completely paid for prior to starting classes.
WEEKLY PAYMENT PLAN. $800 deposit prior to first day of class, then 10 consecutive weekly payments of $170 (auto-pay) starting week 1 of classes. Program must be paid in full prior to receiving certificate of completion.
MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN. $1300 deposit prior to first day of class, then 3 consecutive monthly payments of $400 (auto-pay) starting week 1 of classes. Program must be paid in full prior to receiving a certificate of completion.

To qualify as a grant recipient, you will be required to apply to SDCDS and meet the following criteria:

Live in 91901, 91905, 91906, 91916, 91917, 91931, 91935, 91948, 91962, 91978, 91980, 91987, 92021, 92036, 92040, 92064, 92065, 92071, 92119, 92120, 92124, 92128, 92131, and 92145. And parts of zip codes 92019, 92020, 92025, 92027, 92029, 92070, 92123, and 92127.
Must apply and have written interest.

Grant funds will supplement 50% of enrollment of fees, 50% of transportation costs, 50% of childcare, and 100% of materials necessary for certification (textbook and online learning platform). Transportation, childcare, and cost of materials will be reimbursed upon completion of the course. Transportation and childcare not to exceed $800 with proper documentation required.

Students must be 18 years of age or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have access to a computer or smartphone. A criminal conviction will need to be explained to the California Board of Dentistry, and all necessary documents submitted for evaluation.

SDCDS Academy of Learning prepares students with the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills needed to begin a successful career in dental assisting. Graduates will be ready for employment in dental offices and equipped to pursue advanced opportunities in the dental field—opening doors to lifelong professional growth in a vital, science-driven industry.

Upon completion, students will receive a dental assistant certificate. Additionally, you will receive a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and 8-hour infection control certification.

We offer personalized coaching, resume templates, mock interviews, and salary negotiation techniques to secure your dream job. We have also partnered with dental offices in the area to help you gain your shadowing hours. These turn out to be valuable connections to have when searching for a job after graduation.

You will learn the latest techniques and best practices in dental assisting, including chairside assisting, dental radiology, infection control, and patient communication.

If you have the will to succeed, we can show you the way! We ask our students to bring the drive and passion to learn, and we will handle the rest.

Contact hours earned atSan Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning may not transfer to another educational institution. Contact hours earned at another educational institution may not be accepted by San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning. You should obtain confirmation that San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning will accept any contact hours you have earned at another educational institution before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement.

You should also contact any educational institutions that you may want to transfer contact hours earned at San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning to determine if such institutions will accept contact hours earned at San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning prior to executing an enrollment contract or agreement.

The ability to transfer contact hours from San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning to another educational institution may be very limited. Your contact hours may not transfer and you may have to repeat courses previously taken at San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning if you enroll in another educational institution. You should never assume that contact hours will transfer to or from any educational institution.

It is highly recommended and you are advised to make certain that you know the transfer of credit policy of San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning and of any other educational institutions you may in the future want to transfer the contact hours earned at San Diego County Dental Society Academy of Learning before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement.