January 22, 2026 | British Columbia

Choosing a dental assisting program is not just about convenience or location. For a regulated profession, outcomes matter. One of the most reliable ways to measure program quality is by looking at certification exam performance over time. For dental assisting in Canada, that benchmark is the National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) exam. 

CDI College’s Dental Assisting program has built a strong reputation across Canada by focusing on consistent instruction, hands-on training, and exam readiness. That reputation is supported by long-term NDAEB performance data collected across multiple campuses and graduating cohorts. 

A Program Recognized Across the Dental Industry 

Over the years, CDI College’s Dental Assisting program has become widely recognized among dental professionals, educators, and accrediting bodies. At industry events and professional gatherings, the program is often identified as a well-established option for students seeking focused, career-oriented dental assisting education. 

Accreditation surveyors have repeatedly noted the program’s organization, instructional quality, and overall effectiveness. While professional recognition is important, CDI College places greater emphasis on measurable outcomes that demonstrate how well graduates are prepared for professional certification. 

Measuring Success Through NDAEB Results 

For graduates of dental assisting programs, passing the NDAEB exam is a critical step toward professional certification and employment. CDI College evaluates the success of its Dental Assisting program by tracking NDAEB exam outcomes for every graduating cohort. 

Since receiving initial accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC) in 2006, CDI College has maintained detailed records of NDAEB performance across all campuses where the program is offered. These results are reviewed alongside national averages from both public and private institutions to ensure meaningful comparison. 

Long-Term Performance Data 

When reviewing nearly two decades of results, CDI College’s Dental Assisting program shows consistent and strong performance on the NDAEB exam. Key highlights from results collected between 2006 and the fourth quarter of 2025 include: 

• The Dental Assisting program has been offered across six campuses in three provinces 
• 251 graduating cohorts have written the NDAEB exam since March 2006 
• A total of 3,331 graduates have attempted the NDAEB exam 
• 3,108 graduates successfully passed the exam on their first attempt 
• This represents a 94 percent first-attempt pass rate across all campuses 

In addition to pass rates, graduate performance also exceeds benchmark standards: 

• Average scores are approximately 12 percent above the NDAEB minimum passing grade 
• First-time writers score an average of 4.8 points above the national average 

Overall Outcomes Including Retakes 

As with any certification exam, not every graduate passes on their first attempt. Across the same time period, approximately 6 percent of CDI College graduates were unsuccessful on their initial NDAEB attempt. However, when these graduates rewrote the exam, 80 percent passed on their second attempt. When both first and second attempts are included: 

• 3,286 out of 3,331 graduates ultimately passed the NDAEB exam 
• This results in an overall pass rate of 98.6 percent 

These long-term outcomes reflect sustained program performance rather than short-term results from a single cohort or campus. 

What These Results Represent 

Strong NDAEB outcomes are not the result of chance. They reflect a combination of structured curriculum design, experienced faculty, consistent assessment methods, and comprehensive exam preparation. 

CDI College’s Dental Assisting program places a strong emphasis on practical training, clinical exposure, and reinforcement of core competencies tested on the NDAEB exam. Students are supported throughout their studies to ensure they understand not only the theory behind dental assisting, but also how to apply that knowledge safely and effectively in clinical settings. 

A Proven Option for Aspiring Dental Assistants 

For students considering a career as a Certified Dental Assistant, program outcomes provide valuable insight into how well a school prepares its graduates for professional certification. CDI College’s long-term NDAEB results demonstrate a consistent ability to prepare students for the national exam and the expectations of the profession. 

Students who want to explore a dental assisting program with a long history of certification success can learn more about CDI College’s Dental Assisting diploma and how it supports exam readiness and career preparation.