Thinking about a career as a dental assistant? We cover everything you need to know, from certification requirements to the support available as you begin your career.
Preppy is not a college or university, so this program is not eligible for institutional accreditation.
Instead, it’s designed to prepare you for widely recognized dental assistant certification exams — credentials many employers value alongside the hands-on skills you’ll learn during the course of the program.
We recommend reviewing job listings in your area to better understand employer expectations.
This program is designed to prepare students for industry-recognized dental assistant certification exams, such as:
Certification eligibility requirements are set by the credentialing organizations. Be sure to review exam requirements directly through DANB, NWCA, or the appropriate certifying body before scheduling your exam.
Yes. After completing the course, students are eligible to pursue the Dental Assisting National Board’s NELDA (National Entry Level Dental Assistant) certification.
The program covers the core topics included on the NELDA exam — Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS), and Infection Control (ICE) — helping you build the knowledge needed for certification and success in the dental assisting field.
No, certification exam fees are not included in the cost of the program.
Students register and pay for certification exams directly through the certifying organization (such as DANB).
Externship opportunities may be available based on your location and the participation of local facilities.
While we offer guidance and support throughout the process, placement is not guaranteed and can vary by region.
Externship length varies based on the hosting organization and your availability. There is no fixed universal timeframe.
Details are typically arranged directly with the participating facility.
Most students finish the Dental Assistant program within 3–6 months. Since it’s fully self-paced, you can move through the material on a timeline that fits your schedule.
Yes! All coursework is completed online, so you can learn from anywhere. There are no mandatory in-person requirements.
No experience is necessary. The program is built for beginners and helps you develop the foundational knowledge needed for certification.
After finishing the program, you’ll receive:
If you’re having login issues, we can help you reset your password and make sure your credentials are working. If the issue continues, we’ll connect you with our Support team to get it resolved as quickly as possible.
If you don’t see your welcome email, double check your spam folder and the email address you used to enroll. We can also check your enrollment status on our end. If the issue continues, we’ll loop in Support to get everything sorted.
For additional questions about enrollment, tuition, or how Preppy works, visit our full FAQ page.