Train on the software
before your first day.
East Texas's only Registered Dental Assistant program where students practice on real-grade practice management software for hundreds of hours — so on day one in any office, you already know what to do.
Programs
Two paths. One goal: get you hired.
Both programs include unlimited access to our practice management trainers. The difference is the depth of in-person instruction.
RDA Foundation
For new entrants to the dental field. 12 weeks, evenings + weekends.
- ✓ 12-week instructor-led curriculum
- ✓ Full access to PDA Practice Pro + ChairSide trainers
- ✓ 25 realistic practice patients with branching scenarios
- ✓ Hands-on infection control + radiology certifications
- ✓ Job placement assistance with East Texas offices
- ✓ PDA Certificate of Completion
RDA Career Track
Comprehensive 24-week program with externship placement guaranteed.
- ★ Everything in Foundation, plus:
- ★ 1-on-1 mentorship from a practicing dentist
- ★ Guaranteed externship at a partner East Texas office
- ★ Resume + interview coaching with hiring offices
- ★ CPR, BLS, and OSHA certifications included
- ★ Lifetime trainer access for continuing education
What sets us apart
The only RDA program with real practice management training.
Other schools teach you what a tooth chart is. We let you mark caries on 25 patients before lunch.
Anatomical tooth chart
Each tooth drawn with real cusps, roots, and gingival anatomy. Mark caries, composites, crowns, RCTs, implants, missing teeth — exactly like the software in real offices.
6-point AAP perio chart
Full pocket depths, bleeding-on-probing, mobility, furcation per tooth. Auto-calculates AAP 2017 stage + grade with clinical interpretation. Nothing on the consumer market does this.
Prescription pad with allergy guard
22-drug dental formulary. Try to prescribe amoxicillin to a penicillin-allergic patient and the app stops you with a red warning — the same safety logic real e-prescribing requires.
Drag-drop operatory schedule
4 operatories, 30-min slots, color-coded by provider. Drag any appointment to reschedule. Text-confirm with a single tap. Built exactly the way the front desk uses it.
SmartDoc clinical notes
15 ready-to-use note templates (Prophy, Restorative, RCT, Crown Seat, SRP…) with the SOAP framework pre-filled. Saved notes lock for legal compliance with amendment tracking.
Real insurance workflow
Generate ADA-format claims, post EOBs, auto-write-off contractual adjustments. Master the insurance side of the practice — the part new RDAs struggle with most.
Why PDA wins
Compare honestly.
| PDA | Self-taught YouTube + books |
Online-only Penn Foster / similar |
Other TX schools | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real practice management trainer | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free preview before you pay | ✓ | n/a | ✗ | ✗ |
| In-person clinical training | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| East Texas office partnerships | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | limited |
| Externship guarantee | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | sometimes |
| Mobile-friendly training | ✓ | limited | limited | ✗ |
| Real ADA insurance workflow | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Built-in allergy / drug interaction safety | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Total program cost | $1,995 – $3,495 | $0 – $200 | $1,200 – $2,000 | $4,000 – $12,000 |
Curriculum
12 weeks. 12 modules. Real skills.
Every module pairs classroom instruction with hands-on practice in the trainer.
Patient check-in & greeting
HIPAA, registration, insurance verification, schedule lookup, financial agreement.
Medical history & vitals
Allergies, meds, conditions, premedication, BP / pulse / SpO2 with clinical alerts.
Tooth charting
Surface marking, restoration types, missing teeth, primary vs permanent dentition.
Periodontal charting
6-point pocket depths, bleeding-on-probing, mobility, AAP staging & grading.
Radiology & imaging
FMX layout, bitewings, panorex, intraoral photo series, safety + technique.
Treatment planning
ADA codes, phased plans, insurance estimates, signed consent, case acceptance.
Insurance & claims
Verification, ADA claim form, EOB matching, contractual write-offs.
Ledger & financials
Posting procedures, payments, adjustments, walkout statements, A/R aging.
Patient communication
Texts, calls, emails, voicemails, recall reminders, post-op check-ins.
Scheduling & recall
Operatory grid, drag-drop appointments, no-show handling, recall automation.
Clinical documentation
SmartDoc templates, locked notes, amendments, lab cases, prescriptions.
Practice analytics
Production, recall retention, no-show rate, case acceptance, hygiene %.
The trainers
Try them right now. Free preview, no signup.
PDA Practice Pro
Front-desk & business management. Schedule, ledger, claims, reports, recall, forms, lab.
- 📅 Drag-drop operatory schedule
- 💵 Ledger with walkout PDF + claim submission
- 📊 Production reports + A/R aging
- 📝 Forms library with e-signature
PDA ChairSide
Chair-side clinical workflow. Sticky patient banner, OnSchedule, SmartDoc, Power Bar.
- 👤 Sticky banner across every screen
- 📝 SmartDoc clinical-note templates
- 🦷 Restorative + perio summary
- 📈 Live Power Bar stats
Voices
From students & offices that hire them.
"I walked into my first office and the EagleSoft screen looked exactly like Practice Pro. I felt like I'd already worked there a month. The hiring DDS hired me on the spot."
"Every new hire we get from PDA is ready to chart, ready to schedule, ready to submit claims. They cut our onboarding time in half — easily."
"I was a single mom looking for a career change. PDA's evenings-and-weekends schedule made it actually doable. Twelve weeks later I had a job."
Pricing
Affordable today. Pays for itself in 6 weeks.
Average RDA starting salary in East Texas: $36,000 – $44,000. Your investment in PDA pays back in 4–8 weeks of working.
Free Preview
For anyone curious about a dental career.
- ✓ Try the trainers (5 essential tabs)
- ✓ 25 sample patients
- ✓ No signup required
RDA Foundation
12-week program. Most students enroll here.
- ✓ All trainer modules unlocked
- ✓ 12-week instructor-led curriculum
- ✓ Persistence + PDF exports
- ✓ PDA Certificate of Completion
- ✓ Job placement assistance
RDA Career Track
24-week program with externship.
- ★ Everything in Foundation
- ★ 1-on-1 dentist mentorship
- ★ Guaranteed externship placement
- ★ CPR, BLS, OSHA included
- ★ Lifetime trainer access
All programs eligible for Texas Workforce Solutions funding · Veterans benefits accepted · 0% interest financing available
FAQ
Honest answers.
How long until I'm working?
Do I need previous dental experience?
What makes the PDA trainers different from "online courses"?
Will my certificate be recognized by Texas dental offices?
Can I make payments instead of paying upfront?
Where is the school located?
What if I don't like it after enrolling?
Ready for the career you actually want?
In 12 weeks you can be a working RDA earning $36k+ in East Texas. The first step is filling out the application.
No payment required to apply · 14-day satisfaction guarantee on enrollment
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