Community College of Philadelphia’s National Entry-Level Dental Assistant Program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, trains students in pre-clinical dental assisting and the professional skills used in dental practices. The noncredit certificate prepares participants for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant Certification, including the Dental Assisting National Board’s Radiation Health and Safety, Infection Control, and Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology examinations. Instruction combines lecture and laboratory sessions in a hybrid format, with online and in-person components, and runs for 112 course hours across weekday or Saturday schedules. Admission requires participants to be at least 18 years old, provide evidence of a high school diploma or GED, hold current CPR certification from a DANB-accepted provider with a hands-on exam, and provide valid government-issued identification. English fluency is also required for instruction and course materials.

At a glance

• Format: Hybrid
• Next start: February 17 to May 6, 2026
• Tuition: Tuition: $2,749; Lab Fee: $250
• Leads to: National Entry Level Dental Assistant Certification (NELDA), including the Radiation Health and Safety Examination, Infection Control, and Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology components
• Payment plan: available (per the school's page)
• Scholarships: available (per the school's page)