Course Outline

The New Zealand Dental Association (NZDA) recognises the important role dental assistants play in the successful day to day running of the dental practice. We are proud to offer the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting course to dental assistants working alongside our NZDA members, who wish to further their knowledge and develop their skills within this profession. Annually 150 – 200 students throughout New Zealand graduate with our certificate.

The NZDA course has been structured over one academic year commencing in February and concluding in November. It is a modular, online course which includes a combination of self-directed learning activities, online assessments and practical workplace experience.

Students completing this course will gain formal recognition from NZDA in having developed the skills to work competently and safely assisting a dentist, oral health therapist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist during oral health care procedures. 

The 2026 course has been transformed to better reflect the needs of modern dental practices. With updated content and an improved learner experience, it will continue to support dental assistants to build core knowledge and practical understanding—strengthening confidence, consistency, and capability in practice. All previous course completions remain valid and continue to be recognised.

Note: As of 2022 the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting course is no longer NZQA accredited.

Enrolment

Enrolments for the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting are open from October to early December, for course commencement in February the following year.

To qualify for enrolment in the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting, students must be permanent residents of New Zealand and be employed as a dental assistant by an NZDA member for a minimum of 20 hours per week at the time of enrolment and for the duration of the course year.

All students require a supervising dentist, who is ultimately responsible for their progression on the course and is able to conduct their practical workplace assessments. Supervising dentists must be NZDA members who are willing and able to support their dental assistant throughout the course.

Students must have use of a computer or mobile device with internet access.

Course Structure

The NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting is delivered through NZDA’s online learning platform. Students enrolled on the course will receive a username and password to access the course content and assessment material. 

The course is comprised of the Foundation Pathway and the Dental Assistant Pathway.

Students work through their online theory concurrently with an interactive workbook and completion of workplace assessments in accordance with a schedule. The course is designed to provide students with competency-based learning utilising practical evaluations as well as knowledge check assessments embedded in the eLearning, workbooks, and final assessment module on the following topics:

 Foundation Pathway

• Introduction to Dentistry in New Zealand
• Dental Council Standards and Policies
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Foundations for Equity 
• Mātauranga Māori: Foundations for Practice
• Communication Essentials
• Communicating with Empathy
• Communication and Diversity

 Dental Assistant Pathway

• Infection Prevention and Control
• Reprocessing of Reusable Items
• Setting Up and Closing Down a Surgery
• Introduction to Assisting Dental Procedures
• Assisting in Dental Procedures
• General Dental Procedures
• Oral Rehabilitation
• Anatomy and General Health
• Oral Health Disorders
• Dental Radiography
• Dental Administration
• Patient Management Systems
• Health and Safety
• Medical Emergencies
• Preventive Management 

Course Completion

To successfully complete the course students must complete all eLearning, workbooks and assessments within the prescribed timeframe. 

As the course is competency-based, students must achieve 100% in assessment tasks and will receive further opportunities to achieve this, if unsuccessful in their first attempt. Each ‘re-assessment’ will only require students to re-answer questions that have been marked incorrect in their previous attempts.

At the completion of the course year, all students must provide evidence that they have obtained life support skills equivalent to New Zealand Resuscitation Council CORE Immediate - Adult and Child, which is to have been completed no more than two years prior to the end date of the course.

Course Support

The NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting course is coordinated by the NZDA Vocational Training Team, based at NZDA House in Ellerslie, Auckland.

More Questions?

More information about the NZDA Certificate in Dental Assisting course can be found via our FAQ's page for commonly asked questions about the course.

If you still have questions and would like to discuss these, please contact: 

Karmel Isa
Vocational Training Manager