Welcome to the website of the national Dental Assistants Professional Association (DAPA). The Dental Assistants Professional Association is a membership body actively representing dental assistants, receptionists and practice managers across Australia.
Train while you earn; start your Certificate III in Dental Assisting in 2026
Take the next step with DAPA’s HLT35021 Certificate III in Dental Assisting, with monthly intakes and training delivered entirely in your workplace.
Delivered by DAPA, Australia’s peak body for dental assistants, our workplace traineeship model gives dental assistants the opportunity to earn while they learn, develop practical skills, and gain a nationally recognised qualification while remaining employed.
In-Practice Infection Prevention & Control Training
Strengthen your clinical safety, protect your patients, and keep your practice fully compliant with tailored, hands-on training delivered directly in your practice by the Dental Assistants Professional Association (DAPA). As the national peak body for dental assisting and a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 90424), DAPA provides expert-led education designed to unite your whole team around safe, consistent procedures.
Why Choose DAPA In-Practice Training?
A recent NSW EPA audit found dental practices operating in breach of radiography licensing laws. Since 1 December 2025, the rules on who can legally activate imaging equipment are precise — and so is the risk of getting it wrong.
Featured in BITE Magazine: Building a Stronger Dental Team
Our latest article, Building a Stronger Dental Team, was recently featured in BITE Magazine! The piece highlights how strategic training for dental assistants transforms team performance, clinical workflow, and practice capability.
Why This Article Matters for Your Practice
We've just wrapped on a busy winter training schedule for both our Certificate III and Certificate IV students. There's exciting news about the DAPA conference and we've a couple of interesting articles on the state of radiation licensing, the employment market and the importance of being a dental assistant.
Dental Assistants -
Are you ready to take the next step in your career?
Limited Places Available:
Due to high demand, places for our new Certificate IV in Dental Assisting are strictly limited. If you miss out, don't worry! We will maintain a waiting list for keen applicants to ensure you are first in line for the next intake.
In today's dental industry, maintaining impeccable infection control isn't just a regulatory requirement—it's the foundation of patient trust and practice excellence. At DAPA, we understand that while practitioners set the standards, the dedicated staff implements these critical procedures daily. That's why comprehensive, hands-on training for your entire Team is essential.
An exciting new direction for DAPA events
We wanted to share an important update with the DAPA community. After careful consideration, DAPA has decided not to proceed with a conference in 2026.
While we are naturally disappointed, this decision gives us an important opportunity to rethink how we bring the dental assisting community together and provide professional development that is accessible, relevant and affordable.
For many dental practices, the update to Australia's steam sterilisation standard, AS5369 Amendment 1, is still a little vague with regard to which air removal & steam penetration test to use. Bowie Dick test, a Helix test, or both? It's a question that's causing real confusion across dental practices nationwide, and the stakes are higher than you might think. Getting it wrong isn't just a paperwork problem. Without appropriate checks & balances, the safety of your patients and your team may be compromised.
The Dental Assistants Professional Association is an approved NSW Smart and Skilled* provider, and more information on this can be found at the smart and skilled website https://education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw
*'This training is subsidised by the NSW Government.'
