Dental Assisting

Admission Requirements

Admission and selection

• Spring 2021 start: applications are open Oct. 7, 2020, until March 31, 2021.
• Fall 2021 start: applications are open Oct. 7, 2020, until Aug. 20, 2021. 

Admission requirements

Completion of the following courses or equivalents with an overall average of at least 60%:

• Math 30-1 or Math 30-2 or Pure Math 30 or Applied Math 30,
• English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2,
• Biology 30,
• Chemistry 30.
• All applicants to SAIT must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.

SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider Academic Upgrading.

SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our  international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada. 

Direct entry: four-step process

Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.

Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above.

Step 3: Apply to Dental Assisting and submit your transcripts and/or anticipated final grades. 

• Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.

Step 4: Log in to mySAIT.ca to check your admission status and monitor changes to your application status.

Communication during selection

Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add hps.info@sait.ca and the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages. 

Additional requirements

Student information and dental health examination required by the first day of class.

Practicum requirements

The School of Health and Public Safety has many practica partners located within Alberta and across Canada. Practicum placements in Calgary are limited and students may be required to relocate outside of Calgary for practicum.

Successful candidates will be informed of the allocation of their practicum placement by the program. There is no guarantee that students will be placed at their desired practicum location. Special considerations of personal circumstances will not be given in regard to assigning practicum placements. 

In compliance with the practica agreements with our clinical partners, successful candidates will be requested to provide proof of the following requirements:

• Current Heart and Stroke Foundation Health Care Provider Level (C) CPR
• Updated immunization records
• Security clearance -  Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Check
• Health and wellness status

Courses

Program outline

Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

Transfer options

The opportunity to advance your education through transferring to, within or from SAIT is available. Visit  Transfer Options to learn more.

Costs

*Fees and tuition are based on a two-semester full course load structure. There may be additional fees for practicums and terms held outside this time frame. 

SAIT Fees

Campus athletic and recreation Fee: $171.20
Universal transit pass (UPass): $310 - Check eligibility here.
Student support fee: $100
Student technology fee: $100

Health and Dental Fees

Domestic Students 

• Health Plan: $122
• Dental Plan: $130
• For students with existing health and/or dental plans, please refer to the Saitsa website for information on opting out.

International Students 

• Health and Dental Plan: $344
• For more information on Health and Dental Benefits for International students please contact the International Centre.

Books and supplies*

• CPRS 001 BLS Provider (Level C) CPR course. Annual update required (CPRS 002 BLS Renewal [Level C] CPR). All CPR courses must be from the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Call SAIT Life Support Training at 403.210.4009 for further information.
• Students are responsible for any additional expenses related to their practicum including relocation costs.
• There is a fee associated with obtaining a Police Information Check (including Vulnerable Sector Check), payable to the police or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
• National Dental Assisting Examining Board exam fee is approximately $450.
• College of Alberta Dental Assistants annual dues are approximately $300.
• Books, supplies and uniform are approximately $1,500.
• Personal protective equipment (Rx safety glasses, face shields) may range from $100 - $750 depending on individual requirements.
• Students are required to have access to a personal computer, printer and Internet. 
• Students must have their immunizations reviewed by the SAIT Health Clinic. There is a $50 charge to review vaccine history. Any vaccines to be administered will result in additional charges.

Find out about tuition and financial aid.

* Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.

Next steps for incoming students

Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.

Important dates and deadlines

Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.

Important Dates

Fall 2020

Orientation

Orientation for new students will take place online on Sept. 3, 2020.

To find the time and platform, visit our orientation page.

We are expecting to meet you at student orientation. Important program information is discussed to ensure you are prepared to begin classes that begin on day one. Orientation is a mandatory part of your learning experience to ensure student success.

Delivery 

This program will be delivered in a blended format for the Fall 2020 term due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated health and safety guidelines. The majority of courses will take place online, with certain labs and hands-on learning scheduled on campus

How to register for classes

You'll follow a fixed block registration process to enrol in your classes. Learn how to register on our registration and schedules page.

Computers and laptops

This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page. 

Required forms

Your dentist will need to complete the following dental health form. Please email your completed for to julie.mcruvie@sait.ca on orientation day.

Dental Health form

Required certification

Practicum placements and patient care clinics require students to provide proof of completion of the Heart and Stroke Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider course. Students need to maintain current BLS certification throughout the practicum. Proof of completion must be provided to the School of Health and Public Safety prior to the first practicum visit or patient care clinic.

Required personal protective equipment (PPE) and uniform

The industry-approved PPE and uniform you'll need will be discussed during your orientation. 

Personal protective equipment will be $50 or higher depending on individual requirements. Dental assistants must wear safety glasses or face shields during dental procedures. Glasses must have solid side shields and cannot be regular prescription glasses. Prescription lenses can be placed in safety glass frames, or the dental assistant can wear safety glasses which fit over prescription glasses or a face shield over safety glasses. 

Required textbooks

The booklist will be available about two weeks before classes start.

Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck, no textbook purchase required this term.