Becoming a Dental Assistant in Chula Vista, California

Located just 7.5 miles north of the Mexican border in Southern California, Chula Vista is the second-largest city in the San Diego metro area. Named for the Spanish phrase “beautiful view,” Chula Vista occupies a prime location between the San Diego Bay and the coastal mountains. Tourism is one of its major industries, and visitors flock to the region to play on the many local golf courses or visit the numerous restaurants and shopping centers. Dental assistants in Chula Vista have a wide variety of both employment and leisure options available to them.

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Dental Assistant Schools in Chula Vista

While California allows dental assistants to train on the job, you must meet certain criteria to qualify as a register dental assistant (RDA). Many students take a course on dental assisting to prepare them for their certification exams.

Dental assisting programs in the Chula Vista region include:

United Education Institute (UEI). UEI recently updated their campus in Chula Vista, and the 34,000 square foot facility features spacious labs with industry-standard equipment, classrooms, break rooms, a computer center and library. Located in the heart of downtown Chula Vista, the campus is easily reached by car or public transportation. Their 10-month program for dental assistants includes x-ray certification and clinical procedures, and culminates with a 170-hour externship under the supervision of a local dentist.
Pima Medical Institute (PMI). PMI offers a nine-month course on dental assisting aimed at preparing you for an entry-level position. Their campus is located right by the ocean and is next door to the Chula Vista Marine View Park. When you graduate from the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and be eligible to sit for the RDA exams. PMI offers externships to interested students and has career placement services available to all graduates of their programs.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that there were 4,070 dental assistants working in the San Diego region in 2017, and the field is predicted to expand an additional 16.5 percent by 2026.

According to Indeed.com, in June of 2019 the average dental assistant in Chula Vista earned $16.38 per hour, which is in line with the national average. The range for dental assistants in the area is between $8.25 and $23.20 per hour, with an average annual salary of $39,303.

Working as a Dental Assistant in Chula Vista

Chula Vista has many attractions besides its famous golf courses, including the Chula Vista Nature Center, Otay Valley Regional Park and the Chula Vista Marina. You can charter a boat for fishing or whale watching, or even head to the Olympic Training Center to watch athletes practice their skills. There is a high demand in the region for healthcare workers, so dental assistants in Chula Vista have a lot of opportunities to advance their careers.