August 27, 2025 | British Columbia

Yes. You do not need an university degree to become a dental assistant in British Columbia. 

However, there is an important difference between working as a chairside dental assistant and becoming a Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA)*. 

As of April 1, 2026, the BC College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) uses Licensed Dental Assistant* as the licence category. The previous designation was Certified Dental Assistant (CDA). 

If you want the broader clinical scope available to an LDA, you will need formal dental assisting education, the applicable NDAEB credential and BCCOHP licensure. You still do not need an university degree. 

Understanding the Two Dental Assisting Paths in BC 

Dental assisting in BC generally includes two different pathways. 

1. Chairside Dental Assistant 

A chairside dental assistant does not hold an LDA licence with BCCOHP. 

Depending on the position, training and supervision requirements, chairside assistants may: 

• Prepare treatment rooms 
• Sterilize instruments 
• Assist dentists during procedures 
• Prepare dental materials 
• Support patient flow 
• Perform administrative duties 
• Perform certain delegated clinical services when applicable requirements are met 

Formal LDA education and licensure are not required simply to work in a chairside role. However, employers can establish their own education and experience requirements. 

2. Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) 

An LDA holds an active professional licence with BCCOHP and can be delegated a broader range of clinical services. 

The LDA pathway generally requires: 

• Completion of an accredited dental assisting program 
• Meeting applicable NDAEB requirements 
• Obtaining the NDAEB Certificate 
• Applying to BCCOHP for an LDA licence 

Here is the difference at a glance: 

For a more detailed comparison, read Licensed vs. Chairside Dental Assistant in BC: What’s the Difference?. 

The Path to Becoming a Licensed Dental Assistant in BC 

If your goal is to become an LDA, you do not need a degree, but you do need to complete the professional education and licensing pathway. 

Step 1: Complete an Accredited Dental Assisting Program 

One direct pathway is to graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC). 

CDI College’s Dental Assisting Diploma Program in Burnaby and Surrey is 55 weeks and CDAC-accredited. 

The program includes: 

• 440 hours of on-campus clinical training 
• 175 hours of mandatory outside practical experience 
• Chairside dental assisting 
• Dental radiography 
• Infection prevention and control 
• Dental materials 
• Intra-oral procedures 
• Dental office and practice management 

This is diploma-level career training, not a university degree. 

Step 2: Pass the NDAEB Examination 

Graduates of CDAC-accredited dental assisting programs can apply for the NDAEB Theory Examination. 

The National Dental Assisting Examining Board assesses dental assisting knowledge against national standards. 

For candidates who have not graduated from a CDAC-accredited program, different requirements can apply. Effective January 1, 2026, many non-accredited program graduates must complete the Clinical Practice Evaluation before becoming eligible for the Theory Examination. 

CDI College students have also recorded strong recent results. In the June 2025 NDAEB sitting, students from both the Burnaby and Surrey campuses achieved a 100% pass rate. 

Bonus Read: How to Pass the NDAEB Exam: Tips and Study Strategies 

Step 3: Apply for an LDA Licence With BCCOHP 

After meeting the applicable education and NDAEB requirements, graduates can apply to BCCOHP for an LDA licence. 

The process can include: 

• Proof of education 
• NDAEB Certificate 
• Identification 
• Criminal record check 
• Applicable fees and application requirements 

Graduating from a dental assisting program or passing the NDAEB examination does not automatically grant an LDA licence. 

Step 4: Maintain Your LDA Licence 

Once licensed, LDAs must renew their BCCOHP licence according to current regulatory requirements. 

BCCOHP launched a modernized Quality Assurance Program in April 2026. It replaced the previous system based on fixed continuing-education and continuous-practice requirements. 

For a more detailed explanation of the licensing process, read BCCOHP and NDAEB: How Dental Assistants Get Licensed in BC. 

The Value of Licensure: Why Go Beyond On-the-Job Training? 

If you can enter some chairside roles without a degree or LDA licence, why consider formal training? 

The biggest difference is clinical scope. 

An LDA can be delegated a broader range of clinical services than a chairside dental assistant. Formal training also gives students structured opportunities to develop their skills before entering the workplace. 

There is also ongoing demand in BC. WorkBC forecasts 3,130 job openings between 2025 and 2035 for Dental Assistants and Dental Laboratory Assistants and states that demand for dental assistants is expected to remain strong. 

For many students, the LDA pathway can offer: 

• Broader clinical responsibilities 
• Structured hands-on training 
• A defined professional licence 
• A clear education-to-licensure pathway 
• Access to a wider range of dental assisting opportunities 

The commitment is greater than entering a chairside role directly, but you are training for a broader professional scope. 

Making Your Decision: Which Path Is Right for You? 

The right path depends on how quickly you want to enter the field and the level of clinical responsibility you want to pursue. 

A chairside role may make sense if you: 

• Want to gain experience in a dental office without immediately pursuing LDA licensure 
• Want to explore whether dental assisting is right for you 
• Prefer to begin with duties available within the chairside scope 

The LDA pathway may make sense if you: 

• Want a broader clinical scope 
• Want structured classroom and hands-on training 
• Want a defined professional licensing pathway 
• Are prepared to complete the NDAEB and BCCOHP requirements 

If you already know you want a more clinically involved dental assisting role, formal LDA training provides a clearer path toward that goal. For the complete pathway, read Become a Licensed Dental Assistant in BC: 2026 Guide. 

Final Thoughts 

You can become a dental assistant in BC without a university degree. 

A chairside role may allow you to enter a dental office without completing the full LDA pathway. If you want broader clinical responsibilities and professional licensure, you will need accredited dental assisting education, the applicable NDAEB credential and a BCCOHP licence. 

CDI College’s Dental Assisting diploma program provides 55 weeks of career-focused training, including clinical practice and outside practical experience, for students pursuing the LDA pathway. 

Request more information for availability, details and financial options. 

FAQs 

1. Are Dental Assistants Licensed in BC? 

Not all dental assistants are licensed.  A chairside dental assistant does not hold an LDA licence. Certain services can still be delegated when the applicable training and supervision requirements are met. A Licensed Dental Assistant holds an active BCCOHP licence and can be delegated a broader range of clinical services. 

2. Do Dental Assistants Need a Degree? 

No. A university degree is not required. 

If you want to work in a chairside role, formal post-secondary dental assisting education may not always be required, depending on the employer and duties. If you want to become an LDA, you need to follow the applicable education, NDAEB and BCCOHP licensing pathway. CDI College’s Dental Assisting program, for example, awards a diploma, not a university degree. 

* As of April 1, 2026, BCCOHP uses Licensed Dental Assistant (LDA) as the licence category. The previous designation was Certified Dental Assistant (CDA).