Dental courses can help you learn oral anatomy, dental radiography, patient management, and preventive care techniques. You can build skills in diagnosing dental conditions, performing basic procedures, and understanding treatment planning. Many courses introduce tools such as digital imaging software, dental practice management systems, and various dental instruments, demonstrating how these skills are applied in clinical settings.

University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Dental Care, Patient Evaluation, Dental Procedures, Oral Health, Dental Hygiene, Periodontology, Oral Cancer Screening, Medical History Documentation, Pain Management, Anatomy, Clinical Assessment
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Pittsburgh
Skills you'll gain: Dental Radiography, Dental Procedures, Dentistry, Oral and Dental Care, Radiography, Periodontology, Dental Experience, Dental Care, Oral Health, Dental Instruments, Oral Hygiene, Radiology, Medical Terminology, Dental Hygiene, Medical Office Procedures, Surgery, Pediatrics
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

University of Glasgow
Skills you'll gain: Healthcare Industry Knowledge, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, Health Technology, Health Disparities, Health Systems, Health Care, Telehealth, Emerging Technologies, Health Care Administration, Pharmaceuticals, Health Policy, Public Health and Disease Prevention, Interviewing Skills
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

MedCerts
Skills you'll gain: Information Management, Care Coordination, Health Care Administration, Data Ethics, Healthcare Ethics, Medical Coding, Data Storage, Interoperability
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Michigan
Skills you'll gain: Dentistry, Dental Care, Oral and Dental Care, Public Health, Oral Health, Medical Science and Research, Higher Education, Research
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Dental Care, Patient Evaluation, Dentistry, Dental Procedures, Oral Health, Dental Hygiene, Periodontology, Oral and Dental Care, Oral Cancer Screening, Cardiology, Disabilities, Pain Management, General Medicine, Biomedical Technology, Endocrinology, Medical History Documentation, Oncology, Anatomy, Clinical Assessment, Hematology
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

The University of Hong Kong
Skills you'll gain: Dental Procedures, Dentistry, Treatment Planning, Surgical Suturing, Oral and Dental Care, Patient Evaluation, Surgery, Dental Instruments, Medical Equipment and Technology, Biology, Radiography, Patient Communication, Radiology, Risk Analysis
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

The University of Hong Kong
Skills you'll gain: Laboratory Testing, Dentistry, Oral and Dental Care, Dental Procedures, Dental Instruments, Biomedical Technology, Materials science, Chemistry, Computer-Aided Design, Medical Imaging, X-Ray Computed Tomography
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Dental Procedures, Dentistry, Dental Care, Oral and Dental Care, Oral Health, Disabilities, Biomedical Technology, Emerging Technologies, Digital Transformation, Medical Imaging, Health Care, Computer-Aided Design
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

American Psychological Association
Skills you'll gain: Substance Abuse, Mental Health Diseases and Disorders, Mental and Behavioral Health, Clinical Psychology, Psychiatry, Psychological Evaluations, Mental Health, Psychology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Behavioral Health, Patient Evaluation, Diagnostic Tests, Psychotherapy, Psychiatric Assessments, Cultural Diversity, Pharmacology, Neurology, Epidemiology, Pharmacotherapy, Demography
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

University of Pennsylvania
Skills you'll gain: Oral and Dental Care, Oral Health, Oral Cancer Screening, Dentistry, Cardiology, Pain Management, General Medicine, Endocrinology, Oncology, Hematology, Pharmacology
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Medical Privacy, Medical Records, Healthcare Ethics, Medical Office Procedures, Conflict Management, Health Information Management, Patient Communication, Health Insurance Portability And Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance, Electronic Medical Record, Cultural Responsiveness, Patient Registration, Medical History Documentation, Care Coordination, Patient-centered Care, Professionalism, Professional Development, Verbal Communication Skills, Time Management, Emotional Intelligence, Teamwork
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Browse the dental courses below—popular starting points on Coursera.
Learning about dental health can prepare you for numerous jobs in the field, including dentist, dental assistant, periodontist, and orthodontist. A general dentist performs various tasks, such as examining teeth and gums, diagnosing issues, treating cavities, and extracting teeth. A dentist can refer patients to specialists for additional treatment. Dental assistants work alongside dentists and perform more basic tasks, such as prepping equipment and handling patient records.
A periodontist is a type of dentist who specializes in periodontal disease, a common condition characterized by infected gums. Periodontists perform complex tasks such as removing infected gum tissue, reshaping gums, and adding dental implants. An orthodontist specializes in correcting tooth and jaw alignment issues. The job involves applying braces and other corrective techniques to improve a patient’s oral health.
Yes. You can start learning dental skills on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in dental topics, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.