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Dental Training Canada

Accelerated Clinical Dental Support Worker Pathway

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND
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Get your staff HARP certified for FREE

Give any staff the opportunity to be HARP trained in 7 weeks with the only Skills Development Fund approved HARP certificate program. Build your team’s capacity at ZERO cost to you.

This Employment Ontario Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

This pathway consists of two comprehensive courses:

Dental Support Worker Foundations Course

HARP1 Dental Radiography Approved Course

FORMAT AND TIMELINE

7-week hybrid program consisting of:

6 Weeks of Self-paced Online Learning

(3 weeks foundations theory, 3 weeks HARP theory)

Weekly Zoom check-ins

with an instructor to clarify concepts and ensure satisfactory progress

1 In-person Weekend 

of  Hands-on Training in a dental clinic near you

Online multiple-choice final exam

(75% passing grade required, unlimited attempts)

PRACTICAL COMPONENT

During the practical weekend (7th week), you will:

2 full mouth series practice

on a manikin head

Assist teammates 

with their practical exercises

Receive Assessment

from your instructor

Earn your certificate

upon successful completion

Limited Intake, Secure Your Spot Today!

🎯 Next Start Date: June 9, 2025 

*Due to the specialized nature of this training, registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Spots fill up quickly, and we cannot guarantee availability for future years. No exceptions can be made once the intake is full.

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LOCATIONS

EXACT VENUES WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON

Guelph

Greater Toronto Area

Northern Ontario

Overview  

The Accelerated Clinical Dental Support Worker Pathway is a unique, government-funded program that allows participants to get HARP certified at no cost to you or your employer. The Skills Development Fund has partnered with Dental Training Canada to help upskill and certify as many dental support workers as possible to significantly reduce the staff shortage in Ontario, and to give you the opportunity to exponentially accelerate your career growth.

Curriculum

Foundations Course  

​Roles in a dental office
Tooth anatomy
Infection control and sterilization
Insurance
CDCP Overview (special lesson)
Patient records management
Patient communication
Procedure-based experiential learning for:
Emergency dentistry
Restorative dentistry
Extractions
Crown and bridge
Veneers
Dentures
Root canals

​HARP Radiography Course  

​Properties of radiation
Interactions of radiation
Biological effects of radiation
Background radiation
Measurement of radiation
Production and characteristics of x-rays
Relationship between technical factors affecting image quality and dose
Radiation protection legislation
Control of radiation hazards
Quality control

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Pre-requisites

​Eligible candidates must meet ONE of the following criteria:
​
✔️ Internationally Trained Dentist with appropriate credential evaluation
✔️ 1 year of experience in a dental office (chairside) with a letter of employment to confirm
✔️New to the industry and no background or experience

This Employment Ontario Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

FAQ's
What is the Accelerated Clinical Dental Support Worker Pathway?

The Accelerated Clinical Dental Support Worker Pathway is a 7-week hybrid program designed to upskill individuals for roles in dental offices. It includes both the Dental Support Worker Foundations Course and the HARP1 Dental Radiography Approved Course. Upon successful completion of the training, participants will receive HARP Certification providing them with the qualification to take X-rays in any dental office in Ontario.

Who is eligible to enroll in this program?

Eligible candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Internationally Trained Dentists with appropriate credential evaluation

  • Individuals with at least one year of experience in a dental office (chair-side), confirmed by a letter of employment

  • Individuals new to the industry with no prior background or experience

What is the structure and timeline of the program?

The program is flexible and convenient. The modules are structured by week, for a total of 7 weeks and includes:

  • 6 weeks of self-paced online learning (3 weeks for foundations theory and 3 weeks for HARP theory)

    • Students are free to complete these modules at a faster or slower pace, as long as the material is complete by the end of the 6th week

  • Weekly Zoom check-ins with an instructor

  • An online multiple-choice final theory exam (75% passing grade required, with unlimited attempts)

  • 1 in-person weekend of hands-on training in a dental clinic

What practical experience will I gain during the program?

During the practical weekend, participants will:

  • Perform two full mouth series on a manikin head

    • One full mouth series using the paralleling technique

    • One full mouth series using the bisecting technique

  • Assist teammates with their full mouth series practice

  • Receive assessments from instructors

  • Earn a certificate upon successful completion

IMPORTANT: You MUST complete the theory portion of the course and the theory exam before your scheduled practical weekend. Failure to do so will result in a $500 administrative fee to reschedule you to a different practical session. Also note that by missing your assigned practical session, you risk having to wait until the following year for the next available practical dates.

Where are the in-person training sessions held?

In-person training sessions are conducted in various locations, including:

  • Guelph

  • Woodbridge

  • North York

  • Aurora

  • North Bay

  • Thunder Bay

  • Kingston

Students will be assigned a location based on proximity and number of students registering from the same/similar region

Is there any cost associated with the program?

This program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario through the Skills Development Fund. Eligible participants can enroll at no cost.
What support is available after completing the program?

Upon completion, participants will be connected with two employment partners who will assist in securing placements within dental offices, especially if they are not currently employed or are seeking new positions.
How can I register for the program?

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis due to the specialized nature of the training. Interested individuals can register through the official Dental Training Canada website: www.dentaltrainingcanada.com/sdf

Why is this program free?

This Employment Ontario Program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, making it accessible at no cost to eligible participants. This initiative aims to bridge healthcare employment gaps and provide career-ready training opportunities.

Are you an accredited institution?

Dental Training Canada is not registered under the Ontario Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 as the HARP1 Dental Radiography HARP Approved Course is not considered a vocational course.

Are you certified to offer HARP training?

Yes. Dental Training Canada is an approved program provider for HARP Certification. The Ministry of Health's X-ray Inspector Service (XRIS) administers the HARP Act and is the body responsible for approving courses and program providers wishing to offer training in radiation safety
Where can I find more information about your qualifications to offer HARP certification?

The most accurate way to find more information about our qualifications to offer the HARP certificate would be to contact the ministry directly. You can email xris@ontario.ca and request a list of HARP approved program providers. You can also ask specifically about our program under the name "Dental Training Canada".

If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to us directly at
info@dentaltrainingcanada.com or 866-496-5080.
What happens if I don't pass the course?

Your career progress is our priority. We've designed this course keeping in mind different levels of familiarity with dentistry, and have provided you a strong support network within the program to help you to the finish line.

Not only are we here to help you pass a course, we are here to help you position yourself in the most competent and confident way so you can maximize your career opportunities in the dental industry. For either the theory exam or practical assessment, you can re-do them until you pass. It's important to us that you have a strong level of understanding and practical competence before you pass. 

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

After completing the program, you will be connected with two employment partners who will help you secure a placement if you are not currently employed or are looking for another position within a dental office.

EMPLOYMENT PARTNERS:

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