Skip to main content
menu
Eastman Institute for Oral Health / Employment Opportunities / Dental Assistant Training Program
 

Dental Assistant Earn While You Learn Training

Dental assistants play a vital role in any dental care team, often handling a variety of tasks from assisting with treatment procedures to administrative duties. This earn-while-you-learn training helps you gain the technical skills needed as a dental assistant. Upon successful completion of one year of training, you will receive a certificate of completion of training, a guaranteed wage increase, and can pursue a fulfilling and rewarding career path with increased responsibilities and pay along the way. 
 
Applications are no longer being accepted for the December training. Our next Dental Assistant Earn While You Learn training is expected to begin in Spring 2025. Check back in early 2025 for more details. Thank you for your interest!

dental assistant working with dentist to help patient

We’re looking for candidates who love working with people, helping our community and are good with their hands. Candidates must be 17 years or older and should have an interest in healthcare and working with the public.

Candidates selected for consideration will be offered an in-person interview. Successful candidates will experience classroom learning, observation, and hands-on training. After a few months, Dental Assistant trainees start to master their skills by assisting dentists independently. 

Dental Assistant treating a patientIf selected for training, you will be hired as a UR employee. You will receive full-time pay and benefits, including paid vacation and holidays, health insurance and retirement plans — all while you gain experience as a Dental Assistant.

The University of Rochester is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Openings are filled using an unbiased selection process without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, veteran status or marital status.

 

 

DA Trainees Talk About Their Program

What You Need to Know

two dental assistants looking at monitor

Dental assistants are a critical and valuable part of the dental team! A wide range of duties includes assisting the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures, taking x-rays, sterilizing equipment, and work with dental materials, comforting patients during and after treatment, teaching appropriate oral hygiene, providing patients with oral care instructions following dental treatments and performing office management tasks that often require using a computer.

No prior dental or health experience necessary! We’re looking for those who love working with people, helping our community and are good with their hands.

Your employment will be at the different departments within Eastman Dental, 625 Elmwood Ave, near Strong Memorial Hospital.

Absolutely! If you are selected, you immediately become an employee of the University of Rochester, and enjoy all the wonderful benefits, including paid vacation and holidays, health insurance and retirement plans. After completion of the program, you will receive a significant wage increase.

Dental Assistant getting dental tools off of tray

Candidates must be 17 years or older and should have an interest in healthcare and working with the public. The University of Rochester is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Openings are filled using an unbiased selection process without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, veteran status or marital status. People with a DDS, DMD, or BDS do not qualify for the Dental Assistant Program and instead are encouraged to consider a preceptorship or residency program offered to dentists trained outside the U.S. or Canada.

Unfortunately, no we do not support a student visa.

One year

Your schedule will be 40 hours a week, with an occasional opportunity for overtime. Because the Clinic is open during the day, some evenings and Saturdays, each Dental Assistant trainee’s 40 hours will be distributed throughout the times when the Clinic is open: Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., one required shift from 12:00–9:30 p.m. per week, and one Saturday a month, 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

DA working with instruments

Successful candidates who are accepted into the program will be responsible for purchasing scrubs to be worn each day. In addition, you (along with all University employees) are responsible for paying for parking (discounts are provided for carpooling). As of July 1, 2023, the Scottsville UR Parking Lot will be FREE (there are fees for other parking lots). Eastman Dental is also on a bus line for those who choose not to drive.

This Dental Assistant Training Program is not licensed, but a certificate of completion will be provided. This program will grant you 1 year of experience as a Dental Assistant for General Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Prosthodontics, Endodontic procedures, along with Radiography & Sterilization.

QUESTIONS? Please send an email. Unfortunately, we're unable to accept or respond to phone calls at this time. Thank you for your interest in the program!

 

Carmen: From Housekeeper to Dental Aide

Update: Carmen completed her training and is now a Dental Assistant.
dental assistant working with dentist to help patient