u/SweatyPreparation407

Hi everyone,
I’m exploring different healthcare career options in Vancouver, and becoming a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is one of the paths I’m considering. I don’t come from a dental background (I’m not a dentist or hygienist), so I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve actually gone through the process.
I’ve also heard mixed things about the profession—that the pay often tops out around $30/hour, there isn’t much room for career growth unless you go back to school, and that the work can be physically demanding (especially on your back and neck). I’m not sure how true that is, so I’d love to hear real experiences.
A few questions:
Which school did you attend?
How much did the program cost?
Were you able to get grants, bursaries, or StudentAid BC funding? If so, roughly how much was covered?
How long did it take you to get your first CDA job after graduating?
Did your school help with finding employment?
What was your starting wage, and what do you earn now?
Do you feel there’s room for salary or career growth?
Do you enjoy the work, or has it become repetitive/burnt you out?
How physically demanding is it? Is the back/neck pain people talk about a real issue?
What are your working hours like? Are they generally good for work-life balance?
If you could go back, would you still choose this career?
I’m just trying to figure out whether it’s a good long-term investment before committing to an expensive program. I’d really appreciate honest opinions—both positive and negative.
Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,
I’m based in Vancouver and have been considering becoming a Dental Assistant, but I’m hesitant because the course is quite expensive.
Just to clarify, I’m not a dentist or an internationally trained dentist—I have a healthcare background, but I’m looking to transition into dental assisting.
I was wondering:
Has anyone here managed to get hired as a Dental Assistant without completing a formal Dental Assistant course? If yes, how did you land the job? Did a clinic train you on the job, or did you have previous healthcare experience that helped?
If you completed a Dental Assistant program, do you feel it was worth the investment? Were you able to find a job fairly quickly after graduating?
How difficult was it to get grants, bursaries, or other financial aid in BC? Did they cover a good portion of the tuition, or did you end up paying most of it yourself?
Would you recommend taking the course, or is it realistic to keep applying to clinics that might be willing to train someone with a healthcare background?
I’d especially like to hear from people in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, or elsewhere in the Lower Mainland who have gone through this recently.
Thanks so much! I’m just trying to decide whether investing thousands of dollars in the course is the right move or if there are other ways to break into the field.

If you’ve taken a medical-related course (MOA, MLA, Dental Assistant, Unit Clerk, Pharmacy Assistant, Optician, Health Care Assistant, or any other healthcare program), I’d really appreciate if you could share:
What course did you take?
Which school did you attend?
How long was the program and how much did it cost?
Was it worth it?
How long did it take you to find a job after graduating?
What was your starting pay?
Do you enjoy your work now?
If you could do it again, would you choose the same program or something different?
A little about me: I have a healthcare and clinical research background from outside Canada and have been getting interviews for MOA positions, but I haven’t been able to secure a job because I don’t have Canadian clinic experience. I’m considering going back to school but want to make an informed decision before investing time and money.