​​RCSJ's Cumberland Campus is proud to offer multiple upcoming dental programs through RCSJ's Career & Technical Education (CTE). There are a variety of available programs to help you learn essential skills and explore career paths that are on the rise.

Multiple dental programs are new to RCSJ Cumberland! Whether you're interested in starting your dental career or looking to further your education in the dental field, RCSJ's Career & Technical Education Division (CTE) can help find the program that's right for you. Choose from a variety of available programs to learn essential skills and explore career options that are on the rise.

Featured Programs include:

• Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
• Certified Dental Office Assistant (CDOA)
• Dental Radiology Technician
• Professional Continuing Education 

 
What is a Registered Dental Assistant?
 
Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) play a vital and rewarding role in the dental field, offering both hands-on clinical support and compassionate patient care. RDAs perform a wide range of duties that directly impact the overall health and comfort of patients. From taking dental x-rays and maintaining accurate patient records to sterilizing instruments and assisting chairside during procedures, RDAs ensure that dental offices run efficiently and safely.

RDAs are more than just support staff—they are licensed professionals with expanded functions. This means they are authorized to perform a variety of advanced clinical duties that involve working directly on patients. Under the supervision of a licensed dentist, RDAs may place and remove dental materials, take impressions, apply topical medications, and perform other essential procedures that contribute to a patient's oral health. Their scope of practice goes far beyond basic chairside assisting—RDAs play an active, hands-on role in delivering quality dental care. This level of responsibility not only enhances patient outcomes but also allows RDAs to take pride in knowing they are making a real difference in the lives of those they serve.

RCSJ's Registered Dental Assisting Program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and prepares students to sit for three components of the Dental Assisting National Board Exams (DANB): Radiation and Safety Examination (RHS), Infection Control (ICE), and General Chairside (GC) that awards them with their Certified Dental Assisting (CDA) certificate.

Additionally, those who graduate from the RDA program will also be eligible to apply for Dental Radiology Technologist licensure[RP2]  and Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) licensure in the state of New Jersey. Graduates can also pursue an associate degree in applied science (A.A.S.) in Dental Assisting.

Students in this program will learn:

• Chairside Etiquette
• Clinical Experience
• Dental Anatomy
• Dental Radiology
• Infection Control
• Patient Management

 
What is a Certified Dental Office Assistant (CDOA)?
 
A certified dental office assistant (CDOA) works in an administrative role, running the front office and business end of a dental practice. CDOAs schedule appointments, prepare dental trays, manage inventory, and understand the current dental terminology codes. Much of their day-to-day involves directly working with patients and dentists.

RCSJ's CDOA Program prepares students to work as dental administrative assistants in dental practices. After completing the program, they will also have the option to pursue a clinical career in dentistry as expanded functions dental assistants, dental hygienists, or dentists.

Additionally, students will be equipped to take the Certified Dental Office Assistant (CDOA) exam, displaying their expertise and skills as successful Certified Dental Office Assistants.

Students in this program will learn:

• Accounting Procedures
• Coding
• Communication Skills
• Dental Procedures
• Dental Terminology & Anatomy
• Insurance Processing
• Inventory Management

 
When Can I Start?
 
Excited to begin classes? Fill out our dental interest form at RCSJ.edu/CTE/Dental to be one of the first to know when classes are open.

Those interested in the Registered Dental Assisting Program can expect the next cohort to start Summer 2026. Applications will be accepted from January 5, 2026 – April 10, 2026.

For more information about any of our upcoming dental programs, contact Jaci Klepadlo, Executive Director of Dental Programs, at [email protected].