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Vocational training in Germany (Ausbildung)

Dental assistant (Zahnmedizinische/r Fachangestellte/r)

Zahnmedizinischer Fachangestellter / Zahnmedizinische Fachangestellte

You assist the dentist, welcome patients and run the practice: a paid 3-year training in a dental practice.

Check my eligibility →I already have B2

LevelBaccalaureaterequired

Duration3 years36 months

GermanB2required level

Pay during training€1,000 to €1,200gross / month, during the training

The occupation in 30 seconds

What a dental assistant does

Dental assistants organise the practice, prepare treatment rooms and instruments, assist the dentist during treatment, take X-rays, explain prevention to patients and handle records and billing.

Assist

Prepare instruments, help the dentist during treatment and take X-rays in line with safety rules.

Prevent

Explain prevention, teach patients oral hygiene and help with preventive care.

Organise

Plan appointments, keep records, enter services and liaise with insurers and laboratories.

Is this occupation for you?Advantages and difficulties

This occupation is for you if…

you are careful with instruments and hygiene rules
you have the dexterity to prepare materials
you listen well to patients, who are sometimes anxious
you can keep patient data confidential

Less suitable if…

you cannot cope with close contact with patients
you are uncomfortable with blood and dental treatment
you refuse to provide proof of vaccination

Advantages

Paid training from the first year
Healthcare work, in direct contact with patients
Jobs in dental practices, clinics or specialist practices
Next steps: specialist assistant or studies

Difficulties

Close contact with patients, infection risk
Medical certificate and vaccination proof required
Training pay varies from region to region
Constant rigour on hygiene and safety

Day to day

A typical day and the key skills

A typical daySkills and qualities

07:45

Preparing the treatment roomsYou check the rooms, sterilised instruments and the appointment book before the first patients arrive.

08:30

Welcoming patientsYou welcome patients, register their details and take them to the treatment room.

09:30

Chairside assistanceYou set out the equipment and assist the dentist during a filling or a scale and polish.

11:30

Dental X-rayYou take an X-ray, applying the measures that protect against radiation.

14:00

Hygiene and instrumentsYou clean, disinfect and sterilise the instruments, then release them for reuse.

16:00

Explanations and billingYou show a patient how to brush, then enter the day's services for billing.

Technical skills

Chairside assistanceHygiene and sterilisationDental X-raysPrevention and prophylaxisPreparing materialsAppointment managementBilling of treatments

Personal qualities

RigourDiscretionEmpathyDexterityTeamwork

The training

How the Ausbildung works, year by year

In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.

3 to 4 days a week at the company

1–2 days school

Year 1

The basics

≈ €1,000gross / month

Hygiene and instruments
Welcoming patients
Professional confidentiality

Year 2

Patient care

≈ €1,100gross / month

Assisting treatments
Exam part 1
X-rays, safety

Year 3

Consolidation

≈ €1,200gross / month

Prevention and prophylaxis
Organisation, billing
Part 2 of the final exam

Gross monthly pay during the training. Source: ausbildung.de, Vergütungstarifvertrag (zones de chambres dentaires Hesse, Hambourg, Sarre, Westphalie-Lippe), en vigueur du 1er juillet 2025 au 31 décembre 2026. These are averages: they vary by region, sector and collective agreement.

Exams and qualification

The final exam (Abschlussprüfung) takes place in two parts. Part 1, in the fourth half-year of training, is written: hygiene and preparing medical devices, receiving and registering patients. Part 2, at the end of training, covers assisting with and documenting treatment, administration, billing and economics. Qualification issued via the competent professional chamber.

Requirements and prospects

Applying, then moving on

What you need to apply

Education levelBaccalaureate level is required.

German levelThe required level is B2. Good technical vocabulary for the trade is a real plus.

Physical fitnessContact with patients is close, with a risk of infection; you wear work clothing, gown, gloves and a mask. On-call duty is possible depending on the practice.

Documents to prepare

CV and cover letter in German
Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
German B2 level certificate

Where it can lead

Straight awayQualified dental assistantJobs in dental practices, orthodontic or oral surgery practices, or dental clinics.

With experienceSpecialist assistant (ZMF, ZMV)Move up to dental specialist assistant or dental administration assistant.

Longer termStudying dentistryWith a baccalaureate, studying dentistry is one possible route after the training.

Already B2? Take action

Already have German level B2 and looking for a training contract?

Employers in the “Health and well-being” sector are currently looking for candidates in Africa on AZUFA.

Create your candidate profile, state your German level and the “Dental assistant (Zahnmedizinische/r Fachangestellte/r)” occupation: companies recruiting apprentices can find you, and we follow your application step by step.

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Your pathway with Campus Germany

We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany

Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.

Check my eligibility

Take the test

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Talk to an advisor

Talk to our team

Call us, an advisor will answer.

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80 Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Need assistance

Prepare your German

DZK, our language centre

Our own language centre, in Douala. Elsewhere: partner centres, call us.

See the courses

Get the contract

AZUFA is always us

Our platform connects you with German companies recruiting apprentices.

From German A1 to the first day of training in Germany

A pathway in a loopEach step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.

1
Check my eligibility
Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
DZK
Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
AZUFA
It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
AZUFA
It is always us

See the detail of the 8 steps

1. Check my eligibility (Campus Germany)
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
2. Talk to an advisor (Campus Germany)
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
3. Learn German, from A1 to B2 (DZK)
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
4. Prepare the application file (Campus Germany)
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
5. Find the company and sign the training contract (AZUFA)
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
6. Prepare the visa and paperwork (Campus Germany)
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
7. Prepare your departure and settling in (KAGEDEV e.V.)
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
8. First day of training in Germany (AZUFA)
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.

1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
Run by Campus Germany
3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK · Douala: DZK centre. Elsewhere: partners
4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
Run by Campus Germany
5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us
6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
Run by Campus Germany
7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Run by AZUFA · It is always us

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Our structures for this occupation

AZUFAOur platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.

Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK)Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.

Occupation brochure

Take this sheet with you

Two documents to read offline or show your family: the 5-page brochure (occupation, training, pay, pathway) and the one-page flyer with the essentials.

Occupation brochure

Occupation brochurePDF, 5 pagesDownload the brochure

Flyer

FlyerPDF, 1 A4 pageDownload the flyer

Frequently asked questions

You may be wondering…

What German level is required?

Level B2 is required. You do not need perfect German, but you must be able to follow lessons and understand safety instructions.

How long does the training last?

36 months, i.e. 3 years.

Am I paid during the training?

Yes. You receive a monthly pay throughout the training, and it generally increases each year.

Where can I take the eligibility test?

Online on our website, or directly at our Douala office.

Where can I learn German?

In Douala, at our language centre DZK. Elsewhere, at our partner language centres: call us to find the nearest one.

What health documents must I provide?

A medical certificate of fitness and proof of measles vaccination are required. Some practices also ask for proof of vaccination, for example against hepatitis A and B.

What does part 1 of the exam mean?

It is a written test taken about halfway through training, in two areas: hygiene and medical devices, and receiving patients. It counts towards the final grade.

In the same category

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Ready to find out whether this training is for you?

Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.

Check my eligibility →Need assistance Write on WhatsApp

Germany+49 (0) 7033 694 18 80Cameroon+237 622 20 81 64

Douala office : Rond-point Maetur Bonamoussadi – Nice Cream building (4th floor), opposite the COGENI hardware store, Douala, Cameroon

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