Students accepted into the Dental Assisting traditional program pathway should be prepared to commit to the following:

• Schedule:

  • Class times are Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

  • Students must attend class twice a week*

    • 1 day for Lecture (Tuesday)

    • 1 day for Lab (Students will be assigned a designated lab day of Wednesday or Thursday)

  • *Please note: From January to February (Dental Radiation/X-Ray Certification), students are required to attend full-time class days. A calendar of class days/times will be provided before the certification begins.

• Externship Requirement:

  • During the second semester of the program, students will be required to participate in a 240-hour externship program at a local dental office. 

• Expectations:

• Complete all necessary classwork.

• Regular attendance and punctuality are expected. 

• Follow the CALS Dental Assisting program dress code policy which requires students to wear a scrub uniform to all classes. 

The total program cost for the traditional pathway is $6000. 

• Option A: Payment in Full | You can pay the total program cost upon enrollment or pay per semester. Due dates will be provided upon acceptance and registration into the program. 

• Option B: Payment Plan | A payment plan is available with an additional $100 administrative fee per semester. Before each semester begins, a semester fee is due, followed by monthly payments. Each payment is due by the 15th of the month. It is the student's responsibility to call or visit the front office to make a payment on or before this date. CALS does not offer an automatic payment plan.

• Option C: Financial Assistance | The CALS department does not currently offer financial aid. However, interested students can apply for financial assistance through programs like the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). If eligible, you must provide the CALS department with the funding program voucher to process your financial assistance and registration for both the first and second semesters. Students are responsible for any costs not covered by these programs. We recommend applying to these programs as soon as possible. Please refer to the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act section for more information on financial assistance. 

The Dental Assisting program fee overview and cost breakdown is available linked here.

The dental assisting program costs $6000. Students interested in financial assistance should contact WIOA as soon as you apply for the program.  For more information visit the WIOA page or contact CALS Project Specialist, Rita Medina, at rmedina@santacruzcoe.org. The Dental Assisting program fee overview and cost breakdown is available linked here.

Yes - It is important that participants commit to making all the classes to qualify for certificates of completion.  Certifications include Dental Radiation Safety, Infection Control, Dental Practice Act, CPR, Dental Assisting Certificate, and the Cabrillo Career non-credit Career Skills Certificate. 

All certificates are included in your $6000 fee for the class.  In order to receive the certificates, students must complete all program instructional hours and requirements. 

Textbook and workbook will be included.  Free WIFI will be provided for students that would like to being personal devices. 

Participants should expect a combination of hands on and written assessments to help prepare for certifications.

Yes. Students are required to purchase a uniform for the course. Uniforms are currently not covered under course fees.  

If you have further questions, please contact CALS Project Coordinator Stephanie Villa-Lopez via email at svillalopez@santacruzcoe.org.