During the Certificate III in Dental Assisting you will develop practical skills in infection control, providing first aid, communication skills and assisting in oral health procedures. You need to do at least 250 hours of practical work placement to complete this course.

Talk to employers in your local area as some will give you on the job training without having to do a formal course to become a dental assistant. A Certificate III in Dental Assisting or being employed as a trainee working towards a Certificate III in Dental Assisting is the minimum requirement to work as a dental assistant in a Queensland Health Facility.

You might be eligible for funding through the Certificate III Guarantee Program or complete this qualification as a traineeship with funding through the User Choice Program.

Visit www.skillsgateway.training.qld.gov.au and talk to your teachers, VET coordinator, guidance officer and career advisor for more information on what’s available at your school because you might be able to complete this course during Year 11 and 12.

Year 12 graduate Queenslanders commencing an apprenticeship, traineeship or training in the field with an approved training provider may be eligible for free studies under the Queensland Government’s ‘free tafe’ scheme. Click here to learn more.