Dental assisting is an incredibly rewarding career, but like many healthcare professions, it’s one that continuously evolves. New techniques, tools, and technologies are always emerging, and staying ahead in your field means keeping your knowledge and skill set sharp. That’s where Continuing Education (CE) courses come in.
Looking to hone your skills, advance your career, and remain competitive in 2025? We’ve compiled the top CE courses that every dental assistant should consider, so you can keep providing the best care to patients while unlocking greater opportunities in your profession.
Before we jump into the list of courses, let's discuss why CE matters for dental assistants specifically.
Many states mandate a certain number of CE hours to maintain your dental assisting certification or licensure. Ensuring you meet these CE requirements helps you stay active in your role without interruptions.
Specialized CE courses allow you to gain and enhance skills—whether it's learning advanced chairside techniques, mastering dental radiography, or handling new dental software.
With advanced training, you’re often eligible for higher pay or expanded roles, such as an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA).
The dental field is always advancing. Continuing education helps you adopt the latest practices and technologies, ensuring you deliver modern, quality care.
Now that we’ve outlined the benefits, here are the top CE courses for dental assistants in 2025.
If you’re looking to take on additional responsibilities — and earn higher wages — EFDA training is an essential step. These programs teach you how to perform key tasks such as placing fillings, taking impressions, and applying sealants, skills that often fall under the dentist’s scope but can be expanded to dental assistants with the right certification.
Best Options in 2025:
Duration: Often ranges between 4–12 weeks.
Competence in dental radiography is a must for most dental assistants and remains one of the top-requested skills. A CE course in radiography will help you refine your X-ray techniques while ensuring compliance with updated safety and imaging protocols.
Best Options in 2025:
Pro Tip: Ensure your course includes hands-on practice to master newer digital systems.
Every dental office must comply with strict infection control standards, and dental assistants play a major role in ensuring patient and staff safety. Updated infection control CE courses teach best practices in sterilization, hazard waste management, and hand hygiene. Additionally, renewing your CPR certification is often required annually.
Best Options in 2025:
Duration: 1-day workshops or online learning options available.
Digital dentistry is becoming increasingly popular, and learning systems like CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing) can make you invaluable to your dental team. You’ll become adept at designing and fabricating crowns, bridges, and other restorative components.
Best Options in 2025:
Skill Focus: Chairside digital workflows, digital impression scanning, and practice software integration.
Administrative skills are equally important for career growth. This course focuses on improving scheduling efficiency, billing, coding, and insurance processing. Plus, it sharpens your soft skills like patient education and managing patient anxiety — a critical part of creating a positive dental experience.
Best Options in 2025:
Want to work in a specialized sector like pediatric, orthodontic, or cosmetic dentistry? CE courses tailored to these specialties provide both clinical and theoretical knowledge to help you excel.
Best Options in 2025:
Oral health and overall nutrition are deeply connected. This course examines how diet affects dental health and equips you with the knowledge to educate patients. With an increasing emphasis on holistic care, this specialization can set you apart.
Best Options in 2025:
With so many courses available, how do you decide which suits you best? Here are some tips to narrow down your options:
Continuing education isn’t just about fulfilling a licensing requirement — it’s about building a thriving career. With more certifications, you’ll find yourself empowered with a stronger skill set, greater job satisfaction, and exciting new opportunities. Whether you’re exploring specialized care fields like orthodontics or enhancing core skills in radiography, the right CE courses can take your career to the next level.
Take the first step in advancing your dental assisting career by identifying which of these courses aligns with your future goals. Remember, when you invest in yourself, you’re investing in the well-being of every patient you serve.
Shaping the future of dental care.
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