Yes, our instructor is a licensed dental professional (DDS – Doctor of Dental Surgery, with an MSD specialty) and our school is licensed by the state of Washington as a private vocational school. Specifically, Emerald School of Dental Assisting is licensed under Chapter 28C.10 RCW, which means we meet all the state requirements to operate a career school and our curriculum and policies are vetted for compliance. While “accreditation” in the traditional sense (like colleges) may not apply to short vocational programs, state licensure ensures that our program meets quality standards. Additionally, upon completing our program, you’ll be prepared to take the state exams to become a Registered Dental Assistant – our curriculum aligns with what you need to know for those credentials. Students and prospective employers can be confident that the training provided is legitimate and state-approved. If you have any further questions about our credentials or licensure, feel free to contact us – transparency is important to us, and we’re proud to operate in compliance with all regulations.

We keep our classes small by design – a maximum of 10 students per class. That means the student-to-instructor ratio is 10:1 at most. Often, the classes may even be smaller depending on enrollment. This intimate class size allows Dr. Shahrasbi (and any assisting staff or guest instructors) to give plenty of one-on-one attention to each student. You won’t be lost in a large lecture hall; instead, you’ll work closely with your instructor, get your questions answered, and receive personal feedback on your techniques. Our goal is to foster a supportive learning environment where everyone can get hands-on practice. Students often mention that the small class feel and personal attention are some of the best aspects of our program.

The classes are led by Dr. Hossein Shahrasbi, DDS, MSD, who is our primary instructor. Dr. Shahrasbi is a highly qualified dental professional – he earned his Master’s degree and certification from the University of Florida, graduating with honors in 2001[. He has decades of experience and was even recognized in 2005 as one of the best prosthodontists in the U.S. Beyond running Emerald’s program, Dr. Shahrasbi serves as an affiliated professor at the University of Washington School of Dentistry[, so he’s actively involved in dental education at multiple levels. He also maintains a full-service dental practice in Federal Way, which keeps him current with the latest techniques and real-world practices in dentistry. Students benefit from his real-world insights and personal mentorship. In short, you’ll be taught by an instructor who is not only an expert in the field but also passionate about teaching and helping students launch their dental careers.

No – all essential costs are included in the $4,000 tuition. This means your textbooks, dental lab materials, uniforms (if required), and even exam/licensing fees are covered by the school. You won’t be surprised with extra charges for things like materials or lab use – we provide the instruments and supplies needed for your training. The only potential additional costs might be personal items you choose to buy on your own (for example, comfortable scrubs or shoes for class, if not provided, or transportation to class and externship sites). But in terms of school charges, the tuition is all-inclusive. We pride ourselves on an affordable program with transparent pricing, so students can focus on learning without worrying about unexpected fees.

Emerald School of Dental Assisting follows a straightforward Cancellation & Refund Policy designed to be fair and compliant with state regulations. Here are the basics: – If you enroll but decide to cancel within 5 business days of signing the enrollment agreement (and you haven’t started classes yet), you are entitled to a 100% refund of any money paid. This is essentially a no-risk cancellation window. – If the school needs to cancel a starting class (for example, due to low enrollment), you also get a full refund of any payments. – If you withdraw after the 5-day window but before the program starts, the school may retain a small registration fee (up to 10% of tuition or $100, whichever is less) and refund you the rest. – Once classes have started, refunds are pro-rated based on how much of the program you’ve completed. For instance, if you complete 1 week (up to 10% of the program), the school keeps 10% of tuition; if you complete 25% of the program, the school may keep 25% of tuition, and so on. After more than 50% of the program is completed, no refund is due for withdrawal. – All refunds are issued within 30 days of your official withdrawal/termination date. This policy means you won’t be financially penalized for deciding early on that the program isn’t for you, and even if you leave after starting, you only pay for the portion of training you received (plus any small reg fee if applicable). For the full details and examples, see our “Cancellation & Refund Policy” page on the website[13] or contact our office.

The total tuition cost for Emerald’s dental assisting program is $4,000. This $4,000 covers everything you need for the course – there are no hidden fees. Specifically, the tuition includes all standard expenses such as the administrative fee, all required textbooks and supplies/materials, and even the necessary licensing fees for your credentialing. In other words, the price is all-inclusive for the 12-week program. Students are expected to pay their tuition by the time they finish the program (end of the 12 weeks). We do not currently offer federal financial aid, but because our tuition is kept affordable (far less than longer college programs), many students find it manageable. If you need to discuss a payment plan or options, our admissions office can work with you individually.