Becoming a Dental Assistant in Irvine, California

In 2018, Irvine was rated as the 2^nd best city in the nation to raise a family, according to the Orange County Register. Located in Orange County, just south of Santa Ana and to the east of Huntington Beach, Irvine was developed in the 1960s by the Irvine Company before it was incorporated in 1971. This planned community is divided into many small neighborhoods, called villages, each with its own architecture style and neighborhood association. If you enjoy participating in local events and being an active member of the community, you may enjoy being a dental assistant in Irvine.

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Dental Assistant Schools in Irvine

Dental assistants in California may train on the job, but to qualify as a registered dental assistant (RDA) you have to meet additional qualifications and pass a certification exam. Some students find it beneficial to take a course on dental assisting to help them prepare. There are many college and technical schools that offer programs near Irvine, including:

Fullerton Dental Assist School (FDAS). Located in neighboring Fullerton, FDAS has a 13-week program aimed at preparing you for entry-level work as a dental assistant. They offer classes in both English and Spanish, and boast a 90 percent job placement rate for their graduates. Their course is a mix of classroom and practical exercises and includes a 56-hour internship with a local dentist.
Orange County Dental Careers (OCDC). The OCDC is located to the northwest of Irvine in Westminster, just off the 405 freeway. They offer a flexible 10-week course in dental assisting. You can either go to evening classes during the week or sign up for their all-day Saturday class. They focus on keeping classes small and often have as few as four students per instructor. All courses are taught by practicing dentists and their RDAs.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there were over 17,000 dental assistants in the Irvine area in 2017, and the field is projected to grow another 16.5 percent in California as a whole by 2026.

As of June, 2019, Indeed.com reports that dental assistants in Irvine earn between $8.15 and $32.35 per hour, for an hourly average of $18.31. This is 8 percent higher than the national average.

Working as a Dental Assistant in Irvine

Irvine is a diverse and business-friendly city, and a number of technology and semiconductor corporations have their national headquarters here. It is also home to several institutions of higher learning, including the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and Pepperdine University. Local attractions include Balboa Pier, Crystal Cove State Park and Pretend City Children’s Museum. As a dental assistant in Irvine, you get to enjoy the benefits of living in one of the nicest planned communities in Southern California.