How to Switch from Medical Assistant to Dental Assistant in 6 Easy Steps (Queens, NY 2025 Career Guide)

Oct 16

Switching from a medical assistant to a dental assistant in Queens, New York, is one of the fastest ways to advance your healthcare career without starting from zero. Both fields share strong clinical foundations, patient care skills, and professional discipline. If you already have experience as a medical assistant, you’re closer than you think to earning your dental assistant certification and working in one of NYC’s most in-demand healthcare roles.

This step-by-step 2025 guide explains exactly how to make the switch, which schools to consider in Queens, and how to get licensed in New York State as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).

Step 1: Review Your Current Medical Assistant Qualifications

Your experience as a medical assistant gives you a major advantage. You already know anatomy, patient safety, infection control, and charting — all essential skills in dentistry.

Start by reviewing your background:

Confirm that you have a high school diploma or GED.
Gather transcripts from your medical assisting program. Some of your credits (such as anatomy or clinical procedures) may transfer.
Make sure you meet the New York State Education Department (NYSED) baseline requirements for dental assisting training.

Your goal is to identify what additional dental-specific courses or externship hours you’ll need to qualify for certification.

Step 2: Enroll in a Dental Assisting Program in Queens or NYC

The next step is to join a state-approved dental assisting program. To become a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) in New York, your program must align with NYSED standards. Look for schools that include both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical hours.

Popular local options include:

New York School for Medical & Dental Assistants (NYSMDA) – Queens
Offers a 9–12-month comprehensive dental assisting certificate with full externship experience.
Queensborough Community College (CUNY) – Queens
Provides a 60-hour dental assistant training course with clinical lab and externship opportunities.
NYU College of Dentistry – Manhattan
Offers a 6-month intensive Dental Assisting Certificate program taught by top faculty in one of the largest dental schools in the nation.
Lehman College (CUNY) – Bronx
Runs an 80-hour course plus a 40-hour externship, accessible via subway from Queens.

When comparing programs, confirm that they are NYSED-approved or “licensure-qualifying.” This ensures your education meets all New York requirements for future RDA licensing.

Step 3: Complete Your Dental Coursework and Clinical Hours

To be eligible for state licensing, you’ll need education that covers:

Biomedical sciences (anatomy, microbiology, dental anatomy)
Professional dental assisting theory and ethics
Infection control and sterilization
Radiography and chairside assisting techniques

Most certificate programs require at least 200 hours of clinical experience, often completed in local dental offices through externships.

If your program is shorter or partially online, make sure you still meet New York’s in-person clinical training requirement before applying for the exam.

Step 4: Qualify Through an Alternate or Work-Based Route (If Needed)

If your prior medical assistant coursework covers biomedical and clinical foundations, but you lack formal dental schooling, you can still qualify under New York’s alternate education path.

This route allows you to:

Combine approved coursework in dental assisting subjects
Document at least 1,000 hours of supervised dental office experience under a licensed dentist

You’ll then be eligible to sit for the RDA licensing exams, even without completing a full one-year program. This option works well for medical assistants transitioning directly into the dental field while working part-time in a clinic.

Step 5: Pass the Licensing Exams and Apply for RDA Registration

Once your education and clinical training are complete, you’ll need to pass one of New York’s recognized exam pathways to earn your license:

Option 1 – DANB Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) Exams:

General Chairside (GC)
Infection Control (ICE)
Radiation Health & Safety (RHS)

Option 2 – New York State Pathway:

NYPDA (New York Professional Dental Assisting Exam)
DANB’s ICE and RHS exams

After passing your exams, you can apply for official registration as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). If you’ve completed all education but haven’t yet passed the exams, you may apply for a limited permit to work under supervision while you finalize your licensing.

Step 6: Start Your Dental Assistant Career in Queens and Grow

Once licensed, you’ll be eligible to perform a wide range of duties, including radiography, impressions, and chairside assisting. Your medical background will make you a top candidate for dental offices, orthodontic clinics, and oral surgery centers.

Average pay in Queens:

Entry-level dental assistant: $20–25 per hour
Licensed RDA: $27–35 per hour (or more with experience)

To grow your career:

Keep your CPR and infection-control certifications current
Attend continuing education (CE) courses annually
Explore specialties like orthodontics or oral surgery assisting

Why Transition from Medical Assisting to Dental Assisting?

Shorter training time: Many medical assistants can finish dental programs in under a year.
Stable career demand: Dentistry remains one of the most consistent fields in healthcare.
Better work hours: Most dental assistants work weekdays only, with little to no night shifts.
Transferable skills: You already have the clinical, interpersonal, and organizational experience that dental offices value.

This transition is perfect for professionals seeking to stay in healthcare but move into a role with more predictable hours and strong local demand in Queens.

If you're searching for more than just a job, moreover, a career with stability, respect, and long-term potential; then becoming a licensed dental assistant could be your perfect path forward. Furthermore, it's not just a fast-track into the workforce; it's a gateway to a profession that’s always in demand, deeply trusted, and personally rewarding. When you're ready to take that next step, one school rises above the rest: The New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants. Furthermore, with a reputation for hands-on training, dedicated instructors, and real-world readiness, it’s the smart choice for turning ambition into achievement. Lastly, The New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants stands out as the premier institution in the state. It’s the smart choice for anyone ready to invest in a future in healthcare.

Contact NYSMDA today and get your career started!

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