- Level
- 1-Year Post Secondary Certificate
- CIP code
- 51.0601
- Duration
- 1 year college certificate including a field place
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreSep 2027
- Field
- Health and Medical Sciences
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
Program overview
A one year certificate preparing dental assistants, covering chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, preventive procedures and supervised clinical practice.
College Certificate - Dental Assisting is recorded at CAD 28,985 for one year, which is high for a certificate, and it leads to a regulated role requiring Alberta registration.
College Certificate - Dental Assisting is taught at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in Edmonton. NAIT is a PUBLIC polytechnic, which matters here: at a public institution the Canadian field of study requirement applies only to non degree credentials, and College Certificate - Dental Assisting is a one year college certificate rather than a degree. Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility for College Certificate - Dental Assisting therefore depends on the programme sitting in an eligible field when you apply, and that list is revised. Confirm it in writing before you pay a deposit. The study permit application for College Certificate - Dental Assisting also requires an Alberta attestation letter.
The academic bar for College Certificate - Dental Assisting is Grade 12 or Class 12 with 50 percent. The English requirement is IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in every band, and tuition for College Certificate - Dental Assisting is recorded at CAD 28,985 a year with a CAD 150 application fee. No scholarship is recorded against College Certificate - Dental Assisting. College Certificate - Dental Assisting lists three September entry windows, in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Apply Study Visa manages the College Certificate - Dental Assisting application, the deposit, the letter of acceptance and the Canadian study permit as one process.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: Grade 12 or Class 12 at the percentage stated for this programme.
- English: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with 6.0 in every band; TOEFL iBT 80 with at least 20 in every section; PTE Academic 58 overall with no component minimum; or the Duolingo English Test at 115.
- Application and deposit: An application fee of CAD 150 applies. Confirm the tuition deposit and its refundability in writing before any money is transferred.
- Scholarship: No scholarship is recorded against this programme. Budget the full tuition.
- Additional requirement: Registration with the Alberta dental assistants regulator is required to practise and is assessed independently of graduation.
- Work permit: College Certificate - Dental Assisting is a one year college certificate rather than a degree, so the Canadian field of study test applies and Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility must be confirmed in writing for your intake before you commit. No spousal open work permit arises, because that needs a master programme of 16 months or longer and NAIT awards none. An Alberta attestation letter is required with the study permit application.
- Study permit: Apply Study Visa handles the Alberta attestation letter, the study permit application and the biometrics appointment with you.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Registered Dental Assistant: subject to Alberta registration
- Chairside Assistant: general and specialist practices
- Dental Radiography Assistant: imaging duties
- Treatment Coordinator: practice administration
- Office Manager: dental practices after experience
- Further Study: dental hygiene programmes
Reality check: registration with the Alberta dental assistants regulator is required to work chairside and is decided separately from graduation, so confirm the pathway before you commit.
About Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.5
- Established
- 1962
- Reference No.
- O18713200642
