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Health & Community

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

HLT35021

Gain the skills you need to become a dental assistant, and watch as you transform people’s lives for the better. Learn all the knowledge needed to provide effective support in a dental practice, ensuring smooth operations and patient comfort. Join this in-demand industry today.

  • Flexible payment options
  • Study to fit into your routine
  • Nationally recognised accreditation
  • Start studying as soon as you enrol
  • No exams, ever.
Start studying today
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Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Let’s find your next step

We speak with students everyday who aren’t sure if this is the right course or institution for them. Here are some quick links to help you decide.

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How would you like to pay for your course?

  • Payment Plan

    Deposit Required

    Upfront Cost

    $200.00 due today
    and $53.83 pay weekly

    • Pay in 78 instalments
    • Save 2%
    • Total course cost: $4,399.00 was $4,499.00
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  • Enrol now, Pay Later

    No Deposit Required

    Upfront Cost

    $0 due today
    and $61.62 pay fortnightly

    • Pay in 65 instalments interest free
    • Save 11%
    • Total course cost: $4,005.00 was $4,499.00
    • Paid fortnightly, over the length of your course with
    • You or partner can apply, full or part time employment required
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  • Pay Upfront

    Best Value

    Upfront Cost

    $2,925.00 $4,499.00

    • One off payment
    • Save 35%
    • Total course cost: $2,925.00 was $4,499.00
    • Get the best value when you pay upfront
    • Pay in 4 with
    • Visa
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    • Apple Pay
    • American Express
    • PayPal
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Speak with an advisor to discuss your payment options. Call 1300 853 033.

Paying with Payright: What you need to know

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Start now, pay later with a zero-interest payment plan. A credit check is required, and either you or a family member at your address can apply. You’ll complete the application on Payright’s site.

Got questions? Learn more or Call 1300 853 033

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Certificate III in Dental Assisting

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Certificate III in Dental Assisting

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Certificate III in Dental Assisting
Start studying today

Intro to Certificate III in Dental Assisting

Boost People’s Confidence

Our nationally recognised HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting is just what you need to begin an exciting career in the dental industry. Train in critical areas, such as infection control, patient management, oral health education, and dental procedures, and enjoy the great job prospects coming your way.

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Job Outcomes

Explore More Careers

Job Skills

  • Dental terminology
  • Patient care
  • Dental radiography
  • Infection control
  • Dental anatomy and physiology
  • First aid
  • Sterilisation

Spend your time studying and let Open Colleges organise your work placement for you. In partnership with leading provider SkilTrak, we have introduced Guaranteed Work Placement to provide you with real-world experience in your dream career that's close to home.

Learn More
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Course breakdown

What you’ll learn in this course

This qualification includes a range of units designed to unlock many career opportunities, such as dental assistant, dental hygienist, or a pathway to further study and specialization. Upon completion, you’ll enter the dynamic field of dentistry with a strong foundational understanding and the practical skills you need to provide quality care.

Certificate III in Dental Assisting

CHCCOM005
Communicate and work in health or community services
  • Communicate effectively with people
  • Collaborate with colleagues
  • Address constraints to communication
  • Report problems to supervisor
  • Complete workplace correspondence and documentation
  • Contribute to continuous improvement
CHCDIV001
Work with diverse people
  • Reflect on own perspectives
  • Appreciate diversity and inclusiveness, and their benefits
  • Communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and situations
  • Promote understanding across diverse groups
HLTWHS001
Participate in workplace health and safety
  • Follow safe work practices.
  • Implement safe work practices.
  • Contribute to safe work practices in the workplace.
  • Reflect on own safe work practices.
HLTINF006
Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
  • Understanding the principles of infection prevention and control   
  • Implementing standard precautions in healthcare settings   
  • Identifying and responding to infection risks   
  • Practicing hand hygiene and other infection control measures   
  • Maintaining a clean and safe healthcare environment
HLTDEN015
Prepare for and assist with dental procedures
  • Preparing the dental treatment area and equipment   
  • Assisting the dental professional during procedures   
  • Providing support and comfort to patients during procedures   
  • Managing and documenting patient records   
  • Following infection control protocols in the dental setting
5/ modules
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Let’s match you with the right career

Take the Quiz Now
I found this course to be the best part of my journey in dentistry as a dental assistant and front desk coordinator. It covers everything...
I found this course to be the best part of my journey in dentistry as a dental assistant and front desk coordinator. It covers everything you need from chairside assisting to customer ser...
Dalia A.
Health & Community Graduate, October 2024
Read more
Open Colleges is the way to start your studies! Honestly, Dorina, my teacher, has made my learning experience very easy and stress-free. ...
Open Colleges is the way to start your studies! Honestly, Dorina, my teacher, has made my learning experience very easy and stress-free. I don’t think I would have been able to complete t...
Ftima K.
Health & Community Graduate, March 2023
Read more

Studying with Open Colleges

Study designed to
fit into your routine

What ever your reason for study, our courses are
designed to fit into your routine. 

  • No exams, ever.

    We mean it. Instead, assessments range from open book multiple choice quizzes, portfolios, videos & written assessments

  • Flexible study to fit into your routine

    Study anywhere at any time with 24/7 access to your units.

  • A learning platform optimized for online study

    Our courses are curated to maintain engagement across video, written content, assignments & audio.

When can you start? Anytime you like!

There are no start and finish dates, no semesters, so no need to wait. Just enrol and start the path to your new life whenever you’re ready!

Envision your routine while studying with Open Colleges

How quickly do you want to finish your course?

  • 18 months
  • 12 months
Learn more about online study
  • Daily routine
  • 07:00 am - 08:00 am

    Coffee + Study
  • 08:00 am - 09:00 am

    Morning routine + commute
  • 09:00 am - 05:00 pm

    Work
  • 05:00 pm - 06:30 pm

    Evening routine
  • 06:30 pm - 07:30 pm

    Study session
  • 07:30 pm - 08:00 pm

    Break
  • 08:00 pm - 09:00 pm

    Study session
  • 09:00 pm - onwards

    Relax

Study for a minimum 15.5 hours per week to complete modules in 18 months

  • Daily routine
  • 07:00 am - 08:00 am

    Coffee + Study
  • 08:00 am - 09:00 am

    Morning routine + commute
  • 09:00 am - 01:00 pm

    Work
  • 01:00 pm - 02:00 pm

    Lunch + Study
  • 02:00 pm - 05:00 pm

    Work
  • 05:00 pm - 06:30 pm

    Evening routine
  • 06:30 pm - 07:30 pm

    Study session
  • 07:30 pm - 08:30 pm

    Break
  • 08:30 pm - 09:30 pm

    Study session
  • 09:30 pm - onwards

    Relax

Study for a minimum 23.3 hours per week to complete modules in 12 months

Your course may include work placement which will be completed in addition to weekly study blocks.

We'll help you study smarter! 

Get in touch for tailored study advice
Our passionate team

Your trainer

Nadine Collins
Nadine has been working in the dental industry for almost 15 years, gaining extensive experience primarily in private dental practices. She began her career as a dental assistant, completing her Certificate III in Dental Assisting, followed by her Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography). Her passion for patient care and oral health led her to further her education by completing an Advanced Diploma in Oral Health (Dental Hygiene).
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Nadine Collins

Health & Community
Nadine has been working in the dental industry for almost 15 years, gaining extensive experience primarily in private dental practices. She began her career as a dental assistant, completing her Certificate III in Dental Assisting, followed by her Certificate IV in Dental Assisting (Dental Radiography). Her passion for patient care and oral health led her to further her education by completing an Advanced Diploma in Oral Health (Dental Hygiene).
Nadine is a registered dental practitioner and currently practises as a dental hygienist. She is passionate about providing high-quality care to every patient and takes pride in creating a comfortable, supportive environment. Nadine is deeply committed to promoting good oral health and enjoys educating patients on the importance of preventive care and healthy dental habits.

Over the years, Nadine has also played a key role in helping to set up new dental practices, contributing to the development of both clinical and administrative systems. Her hands-on experience in both areas has given her a well-rounded understanding of how to support efficient, patient-focused dental care.

Passionate about the dental industry, Nadine returned to study to pursue a career in education. Over the past few years, she has gained experience teaching in both face-to-face and online settings. She looks forward to continuing to share her knowledge and making a positive impact on the next generation of dental professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of work placement do I need to do for Certificate III in Dental Assisting?

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You will be required to complete a minimum of 350 hours of work placement in 2 blocks. This may be completed as a block or part-time depending on organisation requirements. 

Work placement block 1 can only be commenced after successful completion of Modules 1 – 4 inclusive. Work placement block 2 can only be commenced after successful completion of Modules 6 – 8 inclusive. You will not be able to achieve competencies until you have completed some of your work placement hours. Download the course guide to find out what the suitable workplaces are for this course.

When can I start the course?

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Anytime you like! The majority of our courses are ready for enrolment right now. There's no need to wait for a specific date or a new semester to start – just enrol, login, and start learning. If you enrol online today and complete your application, you can start studying the course today!

Please note: Courses offered by the Open Colleges School of Health, which are campus-based, do have specific intake dates. Be sure to check the course page for more information.

Are your courses nationally recognised?

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Yes, they are! Open Colleges offers nationally recognised Certificates and Diplomas under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This means that our Certificates and Diplomas meet specific national standards and have been developed in consultation with industry experts to provide the most workplace relevant training. Qualifications from Open Colleges also carry the same level of recognition as courses delivered on-campus in a classroom setting. So, when you study with OC, you can rest assured that you are receiving quality education.

Study and pay, your way

Payment Options

Week to week
Pay as you go
Save 2%
Pay in $200.00 today & then over 78 instalments
$53.83 Weekly
Total course cost: $4,399.00
Save $100.00
was $4,499.00
Fortnightly
From Payright
Save 11%
Pay in 65 instalments over the length of your course.
$61.62 Weekly
Total course cost: $4,005.00
Save $494.00
was $4,499.00
Pay Upfront
Save 35%
$2,925.00 Save $1,574.00
was $4,499.00
Full course breakdown
TBD