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Ministry-approved title: Dental Office Administration
Dental office administrators are often the first point of contact in a dental practice—helping create positive patient experiences while keeping clinics organized, efficient and running smoothly.
Durham College’s Dental Office Administration program helps students build the communication, organizational and technical skills needed to support dental and dental hygiene teams. Students learn how to manage appointments, patient records, insurance coordination and treatment scheduling while developing strong professional and interpersonal skills.
Through hands-on learning, students gain practical experience in infection prevention and control, sterilization, charting and clinical support, preparing graduates to confidently work across multiple areas of a dental practice.
Graduates are prepared for career opportunities in dental and oral health settings, with the option to pursue certification through the Ontario Dental Assistants Association.
To apply to the Dental Office Administration program, you will first need:
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In your first semester of the Dental Administration program, you will build a foundation for your subsequent learning and development. You will complete dental receptionist and administration coursework in communication skills, dental anatomy and technology, and emotional self-regulation. This learning will make it easier to support dental professionals and to communicate with clients clearly and efficiently while maintaining a professional demeanor.
In addition, you will explore the fundamentals of dental office management, including financial management, productivity software, and strategies for handling office operations and learn infection prevention and control procedures. This dental receptionist and administration course content will get you started on the road to becoming an effective dental office manager.
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Durham College’s Dental Office Administration program prepares students to maintain collaborative relationships with clients and all members of the oral health-care team while delivering the highest level of client-centred care. Dental receptionist and administration courses prepare students to become multi-skilled, ethically responsible dental administration professionals.
Students learn about the latest computer software used in dental offices and how to use it to process information such as insurance claims. Students also learn processes vital to the work of dental receptionists and administrators, including appointment management and scheduling.
The program features a compressed delivery model, with courses offered three days per week during the fall and winter semesters. This schedule provides students with added flexibility to balance their studies with employment and other commitments.
The program provides students with the essential dental receptionist and administration skills needed to manage dental practices efficiently and confidently. Examples of learning include dental terminology, daily office operations, banking procedures, professional relations, sterilization techniques and infection control protocols.
As part of the Dental Office Administration program, students gain practical experience and begin networking through a field placement in one or more working dental offices.
Upon completing the Dental Office Administration program, you can expect to understand and be able to do the following:
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or Math. Domestic applicants who are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s), i.e. Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 Math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Completing the Dental Office Administration program equips graduates to pursue roles in dental practices, hospitals and other health-care settings. With the introduction of Canada's Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), there may be increased opportunities for employment in dental reception and administration roles.
Many of the skills developed through the Dental Office Administration program are transferable to a variety of administrative positions. Graduates may also explore career opportunities beyond traditional dental office settings, depending on their interests and career goals.
School is an investment in your future, and financial support is available to help you succeed.
DC's Financial Aid and Awards is here to help you access funding and opportunities that make pursuing your education easier and more achievable:
Visit Financial Aid and Awards to explore all the options to help finance your education.
At Durham College, our Dental Office Administration program offers robust experiential learning opportunities to ensure students gain practical, hands-on experience. Students benefit from:
On-Site Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Clinic sessions: Students learn and practice infection prevention and control, review dental imaging, and manage dental records through dental office administration courses.
Field Placements: Students gain real-world experience by working in a dental practice, applying their skills in actual dental office environments.
Clinic Collaboration: Students have the opportunity to work alongside the Dental Office Administrator in our on-site clinics, enhancing their understanding of dental practice operations and patient management.
Computer Labs: In the first semester, students are introduced to various software with the goal of increasing productivity in an office. They practice using Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook, web development software like Wix, communication software like Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and more.
Dental Software Training: In the second semester, students work hands-on with both Abeldent and Dentrix dental software, gaining proficiency in essential dental office management tools.
These experiences are designed to prepare students for successful careers in dental office administration by providing them with the practical skills and professional knowledge needed to excel in the industry.
For the field placement portion of the Dental Administration program, there are several requirements which must be met in advance. Please begin the process of meeting these requirements well in advance, as it may delay your field placement if you do not have them.
Please note: There are costs associated with Electronic Requirements Verification (ERV), immunizations, lab tests and certifications. Be sure to keep all of your receipts for income tax purposes. These costs include:
It is required that students have completed the ERV with Verified to be eligible for the field placement component of this program. You must (at your expense) provide:
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Graduates are eligible to obtain certification through the Ontario Dental Assistants Association (ODAA).
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
To help students have the best learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for dental administration courses in the Dental Office Administration program. While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.Tech Requirements for dental office administration students
Processor: i3 RAM: 4GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.
Terri is a Registered Restorative Dental Hygienist and Dental Professor. She has over 25 years of experience working in a variety of roles including dental office administrator, office manager, dental office consultant, certified dental assistant and restorative dental hygienist. She holds a Master of Education (MEd) from Memorial University and brings extensive clinical and administrative expertise to her teaching and professional practice. She is committed to curriculum quality, alignment with industry expectations, and preparing graduates with the professional, organizational, and patient‑centred skills needed for success in modern dental practices.
Donna is a part‑time faculty member who has taught in the Dental Office Administration, Dental Assisting, and Dental Hygiene programs. She has been part of the Durham College community for over 30 years, having taught full time for most of her career and now continuing in a part‑time role. Donna previously served as Program Coordinator, contributing to program quality, alignment with the evolving dental profession, and preparation of graduates for patient‑centred care. Her teaching is grounded in strong subject expertise and a student‑centred approach that emphasizes critical thinking, real‑world application, professional confidence, and lifelong learning.
Leah is a part-time faculty member with over 25 years of experience in the dental profession. She is a Certified Dental Treatment Coordinator (CDTC), Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), and Certified Dental Receptionist (CDR), and specializes in human resource management. Leah has been a part‑time professor teaching dental office administration and management courses for 21 years. Her professional experience spans general practice as well as specialty settings, including endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, and orthodontics. She has managed large, complex dental practices with more than 10 operatories and teams of up to 40 providers, bringing extensive leadership and operational expertise to her teaching.
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