Terms of Service

Introduction and Acceptance of Terms:

Welcome to the Emerald School of Dental Assisting website (“Site”). This Site is operated by Emerald School of Dental Assisting, LLC, a private vocational school based in Federal Way, Washington. By accessing or using our Site and services, including information about our dental assisting training program, online admissions/enrollment forms, tuition payment instructions, and student communication tools (“Services”), you agree to these Terms of Service (“Terms”). If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use the Site or Services. These Terms form a binding agreement between you (“user” or “student”) and Emerald School of Dental Assisting (“Emerald,” “we,” or “us”). We are licensed under Washington State law (Chapter 28C.10 RCW) to operate as a private vocational school, and we comply with all applicable state regulations. Inquiries or complaints regarding our school’s operations may be directed to the Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board or addressed through our internal complaint process (described below).

Authorized Use of the Site:

You may use our Site and Services for your personal, non-commercial purposes, such as learning about our 12-week dental assisting training program, reviewing admission requirements, submitting an enrollment application, paying tuition, or contacting us with questions. You agree to use the Site only for lawful purposes. You must not misuse the Site or Services by attempting to hack, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to any data or systems, and you agree not to use the Site to engage in any fraudulent or harmful activity. We reserve the right to terminate or restrict your access to the Site at our discretion if we believe you have violated these Terms or any applicable law.

Services Offered – Dental Assisting Program and Admissions:

Emerald provides a comprehensive dental assistant training program and related services through this Site. Program information (curriculum, duration, schedule), admission requirements, tuition and fees, and policies are available on the Site for prospective and current students. Our dental assisting course is a 12-week program consisting of 10 lessons, designed to prepare students with the knowledge and technical skills for entry-level dental assistant positions upon graduation. Through the Site, prospective students can review the Entrance Requirements (e.g. needing a high school diploma or GED) and complete the Enrollment Agreement form online. By submitting an enrollment form, you represent that you meet the stated admission criteria (such as having a high school diploma or equivalent) and that all information you provide is truthful and accurate. Admission to the program is subject to our review and acceptance of your credentials and eligibility. We reserve the right to request documentation of your education (diploma, GED, etc.) and to accept or deny any application at our discretion, consistent with applicable laws and non-discrimination policies. Completion of the online enrollment form does not guarantee your enrollment; you will be officially enrolled only after you meet all requirements, sign the enrollment agreement, and receive confirmation from the school.

Enrollment Agreement and State Compliance:

When you enroll in Emerald’s program, you will enter into an enrollment agreement that outlines the terms of your training, including financial obligations and your rights under Washington State law. Washington law provides a 5-business-day cancellation period for new enrollments: any enrollment contract you sign will not become binding until at least five business days (excluding weekends and holidays) after the date you and the school have signed, provided you have not yet started classes. This means you may cancel your enrollment within that period and receive a full refund of any tuition paid, as described in our Refund Policy. By enrolling, you acknowledge these protections and agree to follow the mandated procedures for any cancellation or complaints (including the requirement to attempt resolution with school officials and your right to contact the state Workforce Board at any time). We will provide you with copies of the enrollment agreement and disclosures for your records, as required by law.

Tuition, Fees, and Payments:

By enrolling in Emerald’s dental assisting program, you agree to pay the published tuition and fees. The total tuition for the program is $4,000.00, which includes all necessary fees and materials (tuition, administrative fees, supplies, materials, and licensing fees are all covered in this cost). We do not charge hidden fees beyond this amount for the standard program. Students are expected to fulfill all financial obligations before the last day of classes. Payment instructions (such as accepted payment methods or schedules) will be provided upon your acceptance into the program. If tuition payments are made through the Site or via a third-party payment service, you agree that all payment information you provide (such as credit card or bank details) will be accurate and that you are authorized to use the chosen payment method. Online payments may be processed by third-party payment processors on our behalf; by making a payment, you agree to any terms of use of such payment processors.
Refunds: All tuition refunds will be handled in accordance with our Cancellation & Refund Policy, which is available on this Site and incorporated by reference into these Terms. Highlights of our refund policy include: a full refund of all monies paid if you are not accepted into the program or if a starting class is canceled by the school; a full refund if you cancel within 5 business days of signing the enrollment contract (and have not begun classes); and pro-rated refunds if you withdraw after classes begin, according to the schedule mandated by state law. We may retain a small registration fee (up to 10% of tuition or $100, whichever is less) for cancellations after the initial 5-day period, as allowed by law. Once more than 50% of the training has been completed, no refund is due beyond that point. Please refer to the full Refund Policy on our Site for the detailed refund table and conditions. By accepting these Terms and enrolling, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the Cancellation & Refund Policy.

Student Conduct and Dismissal:

By enrolling at Emerald School of Dental Assisting, you agree to abide by all school policies, procedures, and codes of conduct that are published on our Site or provided to you in the student catalog. We maintain a Code of Conduct policy that outlines unacceptable behaviors (such as discrimination, harassment, dishonesty, disruption of classes, or damage to property). You are required to conduct yourself professionally and respectfully toward instructors, staff, and fellow students at all times. The Code of Conduct also incorporates attendance requirements – consistent attendance is mandatory, and missing more than 2 classes can result in dismissal from the program. If a student violates the Code of Conduct, fails to meet the attendance requirements, or otherwise breaches school policies or regulations, the school reserves the right to terminate the student’s enrollment. Dismissals will be communicated in writing via a dismissal letter stating the reason and effective date of termination. Any prepaid tuition in such cases will be refunded according to the refund policy and state law. By accepting these Terms, you acknowledge your obligation to follow all school rules and the potential consequences (including termination of enrollment) for failing to do so.

Communication and Contact Consent:

By providing your contact information to us (such as phone number, email address, and mailing address) during inquiries or enrollment, you consent to Emerald School of Dental Assisting contacting you for administrative and educational purposes. This includes communications about your application or enrollment, class schedules and reminders, billing and payment notices, and urgent announcements (such as class cancellations or safety alerts). We may contact you via email, phone call, or text message (SMS), if you have provided a mobile number, in accordance with applicable laws. Standard messaging/data rates may apply for any SMS communications, and you can opt out of non-essential text or email updates by notifying us. Please note that as a student, certain communications may be mandatory (for example, we must be able to reach you with important class or policy information). Our use of your personal information for communications is also governed by our Privacy Policy (see below). If you have any questions about communication preferences, or if your contact information changes, it is your responsibility to inform the school so we can update our records.

User Accounts and Security:

In general, our Site does not require you to create a user account to browse information. Enrollment is handled via form submission rather than a login-based account. However, you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any credentials or sensitive information in your possession related to our Site. If in the future we provide a student portal or account login, you will be responsible for all activities under your account and must promptly notify us of any unauthorized use or security breach. Whether or not a formal account exists, you agree that any forms you submit (such as the enrollment agreement form) are signed by you (electronically or otherwise) and that you will not impersonate another person or submit false information.

Site Security:

We implement security measures to protect our Site and your data (such as using reCAPTCHA to prevent spam form submissions and employing encryption on our forms). However, you acknowledge that no website can be completely secure, and you use the Site at your own risk. Do not attempt to bypass security features or probe the Site for vulnerabilities. Unauthorized access or misuse of our Site may result in termination of your access and potential legal action.

Intellectual Property Rights:

All content on the Site, including text, images, graphics, logos, course descriptions, and layout, is the intellectual property of Emerald School of Dental Assisting or is used with permission. This includes our program materials and descriptions (e.g., descriptions of our curriculum, schedule, and facilities) and the photographs of our students and classrooms found on the Site. The content is protected by copyright, trademark, and other applicable laws. For example, the Emerald School of Dental Assisting name and logo are proprietary. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, download, or transmit any Site content in any form or by any means without our prior written consent, except for your personal, non-commercial use (such as downloading a form for your own application). Any unauthorized use of the content may violate copyright or trademark laws. You are not permitted to use our name, logos, or any content from the Site for promotional or commercial purposes without explicit permission. If you are a student, your use of course materials provided to you is governed by the student agreement (generally, you may use them for personal study but not share them publicly). All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved by Emerald and its content providers.

Third-Party Links and Resources:

Our Site may include links to third-party websites or resources for your convenience or reference. For instance, we may provide links to relevant organizations or services (such as the University of Washington School of Dentistry or local dental practices), directions via Google Maps, or our social media pages. These external sites are not under our control, and Emerald School of Dental Assisting is not responsible for the content, advertising, products, services, or other materials on or available from such third-party sites. Inclusion of any external link on our Site does not imply endorsement by us of the third-party, their site, or their services. If you choose to click these links and navigate to third-party sites, you do so at your own risk. We encourage you to review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit. Note: Our Site uses Google services (such as Google reCAPTCHA and possibly Google Maps for location) for functionality. Use of those features is subject to Google’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, and by using our Site you agree to Google’s terms for those integrated services.

Privacy Policy:

Your use of our Site and Services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is published below in this document. The Privacy Policy explains what information we collect from you and how we use, share, and protect it. By using the Site or submitting personal information, you consent to the collection and use of information as described in the Privacy Policy. Please read it carefully. If you do not agree with our Privacy Policy or these Terms, you should not use the Site.

Disclaimer of Educational and Employment Guarantees:

Emerald School of Dental Assisting provides educational services with the goal of training students for entry-level dental assisting positions. While we strive to offer the highest quality education and assist students in job readiness, we do not guarantee that completing our program will result in employment or specific career outcomes. Any testimonials or examples of employment are for illustrative purposes only and do not promise that current or future students will achieve the same results. Additionally, while our curriculum prepares students to become Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs) upon completion of the program and passing of any required state examinations, we do not guarantee licensure or exam passage, as those depend on the student’s own effort and performance on external exams. The Site’s content, including program descriptions, is for informational purposes and does not constitute a contractual guarantee of particular results. We encourage students to take advantage of our externship opportunities and career guidance, but securing a job after graduation is the responsibility of the graduate.

General Disclaimers:

The Site and all content and Services are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. While we endeavor to keep information up-to-date and accurate, Emerald makes no warranty or representation that the Site content is accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free. For example, course schedules, tuition, policies, and other details are subject to change, and though we try to promptly update the Site, there may be occasions where something (dates, pricing, etc.) is outdated or a typographical error occurs. We reserve the right to correct such errors or update information at any time. Use of the Site is at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties of any kind, either express or implied, regarding the Site and Services, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the Site will be uninterrupted, secure, or free of viruses or other harmful components.

Limitation of Liability:

Under no circumstances shall Emerald School of Dental Assisting or its owners, instructors, employees, or affiliates be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or related to your use of (or inability to use) the Site or our Services. This includes, but is not limited to, damages for errors or omissions in content, loss of data, lost profits, or business interruption, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Our total liability to you for any direct damages shall not exceed the amount (if any) that you paid to us for the specific Service or enrollment that is the subject of the claim. In particular, if you are not satisfied with the educational Services provided, our liability is limited to any remedies available under the enrollment agreement and applicable law (such as tuition refund under qualifying circumstances), and we are not liable for other outcomes. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages, so portions of this section may not apply to you. In any case, you agree that our liability will be as narrowly limited as legally permitted.

Indemnification:

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Emerald School of Dental Assisting, its affiliates, and their respective owners, officers, instructors, employees, and agents, from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and court costs) arising out of or in any way connected with: (a) your use or misuse of the Site or Services; (b) your violation of these Terms or any policy posted on our Site; (c) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by you in connection with your use of the Site; or (d) claims brought by third parties arising from your conduct or interactions at the school (for example, if your misconduct causes harm to someone and they bring a claim). We reserve the right to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you, in which event you agree to cooperate with us in asserting any available defenses.

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution:

These Terms of Service and any disputes arising under or related to these Terms, the Site, or the Services shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to its conflict of law principles. By using the Site or enrolling in our program, you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Washington for resolution of any disputes. However, before pursuing legal action, we strongly encourage you to contact us to resolve any concern. Students who have complaints about the program or their enrollment should follow the Complaint and Appeal Process outlined on our Site, which includes submitting a written grievance and scheduling a meeting with the school director to seek an amicable resolution. We are committed to addressing student complaints in good faith. If a dispute cannot be resolved informally or through the designated complaint process, it may then be pursued in court or through any applicable regulatory agency. Note that Washington State law and our licensing regulations provide students up to one year from their last date of attendance to file a complaint with the state Workforce Board. These provisions do not limit any rights you may have under consumer protection laws or other laws.

Modifications to Terms:

We reserve the right to modify or update these Terms of Service at any time. If we make material changes, we will post the updated Terms on this page with a new effective date, and we may provide additional notice (such as via email or a notice on our homepage) if you are an enrolled student or have an account with us. It is your responsibility to review the Terms periodically for updates. Your continued use of the Site or Services after any changes to the Terms constitutes acceptance of those changes. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you should discontinue use of the Site and, if applicable, may consider withdrawing from the program (subject to the terms of your enrollment agreement and refund policy).

Severability:

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be deemed severable from the rest of the Terms and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions, which will remain in full force.

No Waiver:

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver of any provision of these Terms will be effective only if in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Emerald School of Dental Assisting.

Contact Information (Terms of Service):

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service or need to reach us for any reason, you can contact Emerald School of Dental Assisting at 33516 9th Ave. Suite #2, Federal Way, WA 98003, by phone at (425) 625-4242. We will do our best to respond to your inquiries promptly.