How to Become a Dental Assistant in Georgia
You might be sitting at a job you don’t love, wondering what else is out there. Maybe you’ve always liked helping people. Maybe you’re great with kids. And maybe you want a job that actually leads somewhere without going back to school for four years. If that sounds like you and you’re wondering how to become a dental assistant in Georgia, you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to get started, explain what makes pediatric dental assisting different, and show you how the 9-week program at Atlanta Pediatric Dental Assistant School (APDAS) can help you launch your new career with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Board-approved training is essential for dental assistants in Georgia.
- APDAS is Georgia’s only school focused entirely on pediatric dental assisting.
- The 9-week program includes radiology, CPR, OSHA/HIPAA, and job placement help.
- Training is 100% hands-on in a real pediatric dental office, not a simulated lab.
- Students repeat tasks until mastered through APDAS’s “learn by repetition” model.
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Step 1: Understand Dental Assistant Requirements in Georgia
Unlike many other states, Georgia does not require you to become licensed or nationally certified to work as a dental assistant.
However, you do need:
- A high school diploma or GED
- To be at least 18 years old
- Board-approved training to perform expanded duties like taking X-rays, coronal polishing, and sealant application
This is why completing a program like APDAS is so valuable. It meets Georgia Board of Dentistry requirements and helps you stand out to employers.
Read more: Living Large as a Pediatric Dental Assistant
Step 2: Decide If Pediatric Dental Assisting Is Right for You
Pediatric dental assistants work in offices that specialize in caring for children, from toddlers to teens. That means you’re not just assisting with cleanings and X-rays. You’re calming nerves, guiding behavior, and making kids feel safe.
Common duties in a pediatric dental office include:
- Apply fluoride and provide oral hygiene instructions to young patients
- Assist during restorative procedures like fillings and stainless steel crowns
- Take and pour impressions to create study models
- Use child-focused behavior management techniques like Tell-Show-Do
- Capture diagnostic X-rays, including bitewings and panoramics
If you’re patient, nurturing, and love working with kids, this path could be the perfect fit.
Step 3: Choose a Georgia-Approved Dental Assistant Program
To work as a dental assistant in Georgia, especially in a pediatric setting, it’s important to choose a program that’s approved by the Georgia Board of Dentistry and provides the credentials and support you’ll need to get hired.
At APDAS, our 9-week Pediatric Dental Assistant Program is the only one in Georgia that focuses solely on pediatric training. While some general dental assistant programs may briefly touch on pediatric care, they don’t offer the depth of hands-on, child-specific training needed to truly succeed in a pediatric dental office.
Upon completion of our program, you’ll receive:
- A Certificate of Completion of Pediatric Dental Assistant Training
- Georgia State Certificates for Dental Radiology and Safety
- Red Cross CPR Certificate
- OSHA / HIPPA Certificates
- Support with job placement
For students who wish to expand their skills even further, optional certifications in Expanded Duties Dental Assisting (EDDA) and Coronal Polishing are also available to eligible graduates.
Read more: Do You Have What it Takes to be in the Medical Field?
Step 4: Get Hands-On Dental Assistant Training in Atlanta
Dental assisting is not something you can learn from YouTube videos. You need real practice in a real clinical environment.
That’s exactly what you’ll get at APDAS. All of your training takes place in a functioning pediatric dental office in Atlanta, Georgia. There are no simulated classrooms. Everything you learn is hands-on and experience-based.
And it’s not just about exposure. It’s about mastery. At APDAS, we follow a “learn by repetition” model, where students repeat clinical tasks until they can confidently perform them on their own.
During your 9-week program, you’ll:
- Take X-rays
- Set up and sterilize instruments
- Learn chairside assisting
- Build patient communication and soft skills
- Get feedback from experienced professionals and gain confidence
This real-world, repetition-based training ensures you’ll graduate feeling prepared to step into your first role as a pediatric dental assistant.
Step 5: Start Applying for Dental Assistant Jobs in Georgia
Once you’ve completed your training, the next step to becoming a dental assistant in Georgia is to start applying for jobs.
According to CareerOneStop, the median annual wage for dental assistants is $47,300 nationally. In Georgia, most entry-level positions start around $36,000/year, with potential for raises as you gain experience and certifications.
Graduates of APDAS have gone on to work in pediatric and family dental practices across the Atlanta metro area. With a 93% job placement rate, our program is designed not just to train you, but to get you working.
Why Students Choose APDAS
Here’s what makes our program different:
- Pediatric-focused curriculum from day one
- Saturday class schedule to accommodate busy lives
- 100% hands-on learning in a real pediatric dental office
- Low student-to-teacher ratio for more personalized instruction
- Affordable tuition: Just $4,997 covers your tuition, materials, and costs
If you’re looking for a dental assistant course in Georgia with real-world dental assistant training in Atlanta, APDAS offers one of the fastest, most specialized paths into the field.
Read more: Helping You Find Your First Pediatric Dental Assistant Job
FAQs
Do you need a license to be a dental assistant in Georgia?
How long does it take to be a dental assistant in Georgia?
How much do dental assistants make in Georgia?
Conclusion: Your Path to Becoming a Dental Assistant in Georgia
If you want a new career that makes a difference and doesn’t take years of school, now is the time to take the first step.
At Atlanta Pediatric Dental Assistant School (APDAS), we’re here to help you:
- Build in-demand dental assistant skills
- Earn board-approved certifications
- Graduate in just 9 weeks
- Start working in a pediatric dental office you love
Ready to see if it’s the right fit?