Dental Assisting Selective Admissions
Admission to the RCSJ Dental Assisting program is selective, meaning it is not guaranteed and requires additional steps towards admission.
Dental Assisting
The next Dental Assisting cohort starts in Summer 2027.
This program requires a portfolio with a checklist of duties, which must be completed by the deadline for admission consideration.
- Portfolio Opens: January 4, 2027
- Final Deadline: April 4, 2027 at 5 p.m.
- Decision Sent: May 3, 2027
- Decisions will be sent to your RCSJ student email.
This Academic certificate in applied science program prepares students for a position in one of the fastest growing healthcare fields with a curriculum introducing them to the profession of dentistry. They will learn all areas of clinical dental assisting and receive training in the professional skills required to function as an assistant in a dental practice. Through lecture and laboratory sessions, they learn the roles and responsibilities of the dental assistant. Skill development includes policies and guidelines, oral and dental anatomy, infection control, dental radiology, instrument identification and use, and expanded functions. Students must obtain a minimum grade of ‘C’ in all Dental courses.
This program prepares students to sit for the three components of the Dental Assisting National Board Exams (DANB):
- Radiation and Safety Examination (RHS)
- Infection Control (ICE)
- General Chairside (GC)
2027 Dental Assisting Information Sessions
- All applicants must attend ONE information session from the dates below prior to submission of a portfolio.
- Advance registration is required for all sessions.
- Please note the format of the information sessions before registering.
- All information sessions will start promptly at the posted time and last about 1.5 – 2 hours.
- Late entries (10 minutes past start time) will be prohibited. Plan accordingly!
| Date | Time | Format | Registration Link |
| July 1, 2026 | 12 p.m. | Virtual | RSVP |
| August 10, 2026 | 10 p.m. | Virtual | RSVP |
| September 24, 2026 | 3 p.m. | Virtual | RSVP |
| October 14, 2026 | 5 p.m. | Virtual | RSVP |
| November 10, 2026 | 10 a.m. | Virtual | RSVP |
| December 2, 2026 | 5 p.m. | Virtual | RSVP |
| January 26, 2027 | 12 p.m. | Cumberland | RSVP |
| February 11, 2027 | 3 p.m. | Virtual | RSVP |
| March 9, 2027 | 10 a.m. | Virtual | RSVP |
| March 25, 2027 | 12 p.m. | Virtual | RSVP |
| March 31, 2027* | 5 p.m. | Virtual | RSVP |
Download the Suggested Application Timeline PDF to help you plan and prepare.
Have Questions?
Dental Assisting Frequently Asked Questions
Dental Assisting is a Cumberland campus program.
Graduates from the Dental Assisting Program at RCSJ earn an Academic Certificate in Dental Assisting with an option to pursue an Associate in Applied Science by completing additional course work as listed in the Dental Assisting Handbook.
This program prepares students to sit for the three components of the Dental Assisting National Board Exams (DANB) which is the nationally recognized Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) certification. In addition to the CDA certification, students will be eligible to apply for their New Jersey Dental Radiology Technologist licensure and their State of New Jersey as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) licensure.
Three semesters, which is one academic year, including one summer session
There is a maximum cohort size of 20 students accepted each year.
Students must be at least 18 years old by the first day of the summer semester.
It varies per student due to financial aid circumstances. The tuition and fees chart details the cost.
For More Information
Contact
Jaci Klepadlo, M.Ed., BSDH, CDA
Executive Director of Dental Programs
856-776-2378
[email protected]