Dental Assistant Training Program
As of 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2020, we are no longer accepting applications. Thank you for your interest, and we apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience as we review the applications to fill the limited number of seats available.
Becoming a dental assistant has never been easier! Get full-time pay and benefits while you train at Eastman Dental. No homework, no tests. Successful candidates will have two hours of classroom learning, followed by observation and hands-on training each day, which will lead you to becoming a qualified Dental Assistant in just one year.
We’re looking for candidates who love working with people, helping our community and are good with their hands. No prior dental or health experience necessary. Our first class starts January 19. Limited number of students accepted.
The training will be conducted in Eastman Dental’s General Dentistry Department at 625 Elmwood Ave, near Strong Memorial Hospital. Following the training period, you will be able to work as a chairside assistant, help the dentist in patient care, work in the lab, take x-rays, work with dental materials, sterilize equipment and much more.
Earn money as you learn, with a guaranteed wage increase as you develop new skills. You will enjoy the fringe benefits provided by the University of Rochester, including paid vacation and holidays, health insurance and retirement plans. After completion of the program, you will receive approximately a 15% raise.
Candidates must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent GED. 
The applicant must be in good health and have an interest in healthcare and working with the public. The University of Rochester is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Openings are filled using an unbiased selection process without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religion, veteran status or marital status. The curriculum will be managed by the faculty, dental assistants and administrators at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health Department of General Dentistry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is eligible?
A. Candidates must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or equivalent GED. People with a DDS, DMD, or BDS do not qualify for the Dental Assistant Program and instead are encouraged to consider a preceptorship or residency program offered to dentists trained outside the U.S. or Canada.
Q. Do you support a student visa?
A. Unfortunately, no we do not.
Q. How long is the program?
A. One year
Q. What are the required hours?
A. Your schedule will be 40 hours a week, with an occasional opportunity for overtime. Because of Covid, the General Dentistry clinic is only open Mon-Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. When operations resume back to pre-Covid, all full-time staff and Dental Assistant trainees will be required to work one 12:30 - 9 p.m. shift per week, and one Saturday a month, 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Q. What are trainees responsible for?
A. Trainees accepted into the program will be responsible for purchasing scrubs to be worn each day. In addition, trainees, (along with all University employees) are responsible for paying for parking (discounts are provided for carpooling). Eastman Dental is also on a bus line for those who choose not to drive.
Q. Is this a licensed program?
A. This Dental Assistant Training Program is not licensed, but a certificate of completion will be provided.