BC
April 30, 2026 | British Columbia
Choosing a healthcare career does not always mean spending several years in university. For students interested in oral healthcare, a Dental Assistant Program in British Columbia can provide a relatively direct route into hands-on career training.
There has also been an important terminology change in BC. As of April 1, 2026, the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) uses Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA)* as the licence category. Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) was the previous designation.
This guide covers what to expect from dental assistant training in BC, current labour-market demand, wages, the LDA licensing pathway and how CDI College’s program connects to that pathway.
Why Study Dental Assisting in British Columbia?
Dental assisting may appeal to students who want practical healthcare training without a long academic timeline.
A Clear Path to Licensure
For students pursuing LDA status, BC has a defined pathway:
Accredited dental assisting education → NDAEB requirements → NDAEB Certificate → BCCOHP licence
Licensed Dental Assistants are regulated by BCCOHP and can be delegated a broader range of clinical services than chairside dental assistants.
A Short, Career-Focused Training Route
Dental assisting does not require an university degree.
CDI College’s Dental Assisting Diploma Program in Burnaby and Surrey takes 55 weeks, giving students a shorter education route than many 3- or 4-year degree programs.
Hands-On Learning
Dental assisting is a practical occupation. Training can include chairside assisting, radiography, infection prevention and control, dental materials, intra-oral procedures and experience in dental workplaces.
For students who prefer learning by doing rather than classroom study alone, this can be an important part of the appeal.
Is Dental Assisting in Demand in British Columbia?
Current long-term labour-market data points to continued opportunities in BC.
WorkBC forecasts 3,130 job openings between 2025 and 2035 for Dental Assistants and Dental Laboratory Assistants. WorkBC also expects demand for dental assistants to remain strong as BC’s population grows, awareness of oral health increases and more people retain their natural teeth longer.
Forecast openings include:
- Mainland/Southwest: 2,110
- Vancouver Island/Coast: 450
- Thompson-Okanagan: 320
This places a large share of forecast opportunities in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Okanagan regions. For a deeper labour-market analysis, read Are Dental Assistants in Demand in British Columbia?.
What Does a Dental Assistant Do in BC?
What a dental assistant can do in BC depends partly on whether the individual is a chairside dental assistant or an LDA.
Chairside Dental Assistant
A chairside dental assistant does not hold an LDA licence.
Typical responsibilities can include:
- Preparing treatment rooms
- Sterilizing instruments
- Assisting during procedures
- Preparing dental materials
- Supporting patient flow
- Maintaining records and helping with office tasks
Chairside dental assistants are not limited to extra-oral duties. Under BCCOHP’s current rules, certain clinical services may be delegated when applicable training and supervision requirements are met.
Licensed Dental Assistant
An LDA holds an active BCCOHP licence and can be delegated a broader range of clinical services.
Depending on training and delegation requirements, these can include services such as impressions, fissure sealants, matrices and wedges, as well as other intra-oral procedures.
For a more detailed explanation, read What Does a Dental Assistant Do in BC? Scope of Practice or compare Licensed vs. Chairside Dental Assistant in BC.
How Much Do Dental Assistants Make in BC?
According to current Job Bank wage data for dental assistants in British Columbia:
|
Wage Level |
Hourly Wage |
|
Low |
$24 |
|
Median |
$31 |
|
High |
$36 |
These are Job Bank’s low, median and high estimates. They should not automatically be interpreted as starting, LDA or experienced-worker wages. Compensation can vary according to location, responsibilities, experience and employer.
For a detailed breakdown, read How Much Do Dental Assistants Make in BC?.
How to Become a Licensed Dental Assistant* in BC
For students following the accredited-program pathway, the LDA process can be summarized in four steps:
- 1. Complete a CDAC-accredited dental assisting program
- 2. Pass the applicable NDAEB examination and obtain the NDAEB Certificate
- 3. Apply to BCCOHP for an LDA licence
- 4. Maintain and renew your LDA licence according to BCCOHP requirements, including participation in its Quality Assurance Program
The NDAEB Certificate and BCCOHP licence are separate credentials, and graduating from a dental assisting program does not automatically grant licensure.
For the complete process, read How to Become a Dental Assistant in BC.
Dental Assistant Program at CDI College BC
CDI College's Dental Assisting Diploma Program is offered in Burnaby and Surrey.
Program Details
- 55 weeks
- CDAC-accredited
- Delivered in person
- Approved by the Registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU)
The program combines theory, laboratory instruction, clinical training and outside practical experience.
615 Hours of Clinical and Practical Training
Students complete 615 hours of clinical and practical training, including:
- 440 hours of on-campus clinical training
- 175 hours of mandatory outside practical experience
The outside practical component includes 75 hours during Phase I and 100 hours during Phase II. This structure allows students to develop skills in a supervised learning environment before applying them in dental workplaces.
What Will You Learn?
Training includes areas such as:
- Chairside dental assisting
- Dental radiography
- Infection prevention and control
- Dental materials
- Pharmacology
- Dental office management
- Professional ethics and jurisprudence
- Intra-oral procedures
The program is designed to provide the education and practical training that support the next stages of the LDA pathway.
NDAEB Success
CDI College students have recorded strong recent NDAEB results.
In the June 2025 NDAEB sitting, both Burnaby and Surrey achieved a 100% pass rate. Graduates must still complete BCCOHP’s licensing requirements before practising as LDAs.
Recent Employment Outcome
CDI College’s current BC Dental Assisting program page reports a 97% employment rate for January through December 2025.
Employment outcomes can vary by student, location, employer requirements and labour-market conditions, so the figure should be treated as a recent program outcome rather than a guarantee of individual employment.
Career Preparation and Support
Dental assisting training is not only about learning clinical procedures.
CDI College also provides career preparation that can include:
- Resume and cover letter support
- Interview preparation
- Job-search guidance
- Workplace expectations
Combined with clinical training and practical experience, this can help students prepare for the transition from school into a dental workplace.
Final Thoughts
A Dental Assistant Program in British Columbia can provide a relatively direct pathway into oral healthcare without requiring a university degree.
For students pursuing LDA licensure, the key steps are accredited education, the applicable NDAEB requirements, BCCOHP licensure and maintaining that licence.
CDI College’s Dental Assisting Diploma Program in Burnaby and Surrey combines 55 weeks of training with clinical practice, outside practical experience and preparation for the NDAEB pathway.
Request more information for availability, program details and financial options.
* As of April 1, 2026, BCCOHP uses Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) as the licence category. The previous designation was Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).
