About our Program

Credentialed

Almaden Valley Dental Assistant Academy is authorized by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Program Structure

Unlock the doors to a comprehensive and blended curriculum that seamlessly integrates online learning with invaluable in-person sessions.

Your pathway consists of:

10 Remarkable Weeks: A fast-tracked, intensive program designed to catapult you into your new career.
Flexible Scheduling: Classes convene once a week, on Saturdays, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, accommodating your unique needs and schedule.
Hands-on Experience: Dive deep into real-world dental assisting practices with engaging laboratory and operatory exercises.

Blended Learning Experience

Harness the power of online and offline worlds:

Online Convenience: Engage with 25 hours of captivating online content, accessible anytime, ensuring flexibility and convenience.
In-Person Mastery: Revel in 80 immersive in-person hours, fostering a space for practical mastery and enriched learning experiences.

Admission Criteria

Our doors are open to passionate individuals ready to soar. Here are the only requirements:

Age: students should be over 18 years of age.
Educational Qualifications: a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Career-Ready Certifications

Graduate with a prestigious certificate enabling you to apply to the California Board of Dentistry as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA), marking a monumental step in your career trajectory.

Along with your DANB (Dental Assisting National Board] radiology and Basic Life Support (BLS) certificates.

Robust Support System

We stand by you, not just as educators, but as unwavering supporters of your dream:

Job Application Assistance: Benefit from personalized coaching, resume crafting, and remarkable interview preparation.
Salary Negotiation Skills: Arm yourself with essential negotiation strategies to secure rewarding compensation packages.

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Dental Assisting

Course Outline

• WEEK 01 •

General introduction to the exciting field of Dentistry, including your orientation to our clinic and dental terminology.

• WEEK 02 •

Four-handed dentistry, instrumental transfer, isolation techniques, suctioning (HVE), local anesthesia, patient positioning, handpiece maintenance, sealants and coronal polishing.

• WEEK 03 •

Radiology theory and practice of intraoral and extraoral X-ray techniques, X-ray safety, darkroom procedures.

• WEEK 04 •

Amalgam and composite materials, instruments, mixing, curing, tubs, trays.

• WEEK 05 •

Cements and liners, alginate impressions (upper arch), model pouring and trimming, X-ray quiz. CPR Training.

• WEEK 06 •

Midterm exam. Oral surgery, periodontal instruments and materials, sterilization procedures, alginate impressions (lower arch).

• WEEK 07 •

Crown and bridge instruments and materials, making temporary restorations, bite registration.

• WEEK 08 •

Endodontic materials and instruments, orthodontics, job interview skills.

• WEEK 09 •

Office management, front desk operation, appointments, billing dental insurance, office management software, OSHA regulations. Review and practice for final exam.

• WEEK 10 •

Final exam and practical exam. Pediatric dentistry, final written exam, X- ray practical clinical exam.

Graduation!

Meet The Team

Clara Andirious, DDS, CEO

My name is Dr. Clara Andirious and I graduated from the New York college of Dentistry, NYU, in 2003. I received my undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at University of California Los Angeles, UCLA. I am very patinate about dentistry and love to take classes to increase my knowledge and educated myself on new technologies that come into play in dentistry each year.

My passion in dentistry began as dental assistant. I attended Bryman Dental Assistant School in Los Angeles right after I came to the United States many years ago and received my RDA license shortly after. That was when I realized that I loved dental field and wanted to pursue my study and become a dentist.

While attending Junior college at De Anza, I worked as an RDA and paid for my tuition, books and more. My knowledge of dental assisting came to be very valuable once I entered dental school. I enjoy doing dentistry everyday and love teaching it to those who are as enthusiastic and Passionate about this field as I am. I encourage those who want to pursue a carrier in dental field to get to know dentistry up-close and get some experience on how to work in a dental office and interact with people every
day.

Verenise Plancarte, RDA

My name is Verenise Plancarte and I am a Registered Dental Assistant, RDA. I started my carrier in dentistry 10 years ago. I attended Carrington College for dental assisting, a 12-month program and received my Dental assisting certificate and a year after I went on to receive my RDA license. In my spare time, I love to play with my daughter and take of my family.