Get Your Degree!
Related Areas of Study
What is a Dental Assistant?
Dental assistant schools are an institution where an individual trains to assist a dentist in the day-to-day operation of a dental practice. Common duties of a dental assistant include patient intake, office work, surgery assistance, infection control, recordkeeping, scheduling appointments, and other requisite operational tasks. Assistants are responsible for the preparation and cleanup of facilities prior to and after dental procedures.
The role of a dental assistant and the specific duties required will vary by dental practice and state. Dental assistants in a large corporation will typically be specialists focusing on a few tasks. On the other hand, dental assistants perform a wide array of job duties in a smaller dental practice across a typical dental work environment.
Dental assistants may be limited to job duties as prescribed by state regulation. As such, you may be required to have additional education or certification as required by your state dental board to practice as an orthodontic assistant, dental therapist, or registered dental assistant.
Career Summary
MEDIAN SALARY
PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE
TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT
327,290Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types
Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS
2025 Best Dental Assistant Schools
University of North Carolina located at Chapel Hill Carolina, United States is a public flagship research university that was established in 1789. The university is the first public university that also considerably offers an Ivy League’s equivalent programs to the students. Also, as one of the oldest public universities in the United States, the institutions offer a variety of programs including the School of Dentistry program. Where, the school focuses on shaping the future of the students who choose to take oral health care. Therefore, there is no doubt Adams School of Dentistry secured its place as the best school in our website ranking for dental assistants offers the best and beyond excellence education and training for the students.
Acceptance Rate
22.63
Student to Faculty Ratio
13:1
New York University located at the 10003, New York, United States is a private research university that was established in 1831. The university is the largest private university in the United States with total enrolled students 51,848 not including the graduate degree students and professional study. This includes an organized 10 undergraduate school programs, graduate degree programs, and professional study. Moreover, the university offers three degree programs in Dentistry including a degree in dental assistant which is designed to a fully-understand the business inside of oral health care whether it is corporate, owned offices, or solo practice. DDS or MBA programs students are allowed to have a dual degree hence it requires the students to take GMAT and GRE.
Acceptance Rate
16.2
Student to Faculty Ratio
9:1
Rutgers University located at New Brunswick, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States is a public land-grant research university that was established in 1766, 254 years ago. The prestigious university became the 3rd best school that offers dental assistant programs as they design all of their programs to be more globally competitive and flexible to the students. Aside from that, the university offers a variety of programs with distinguished faculty members to help the students to complete degrees beyond excellent skills and knowledge. With more than 40 degree programs in Health Care Education for the students, which is also designed to provide them intellectual knowledge and skills that meet the demand of the medical industry.
Acceptance Rate
61.22
Student to Faculty Ratio
16:1
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology has always been dedicated to its fellow students to help them achieve their dream career. The institution enhanced workforce to produce a quality education and real-world training to mold students to become leaders of tomorrow. Another, their Dental Assisting Diploma program offers competent academic coursework that prepares the student to be qualified member of a dental team. Also, the foundation established by the program will make students professionally proficient for any employment in an oral health care career.
Acceptance Rate
89.77
Tuition
$15,340 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
10:1
Mercer County Technical Education Center (MCTEC) has been offering adult programs. Many years they provide a sequence of courses that will coherent and rigorously align the academic and skills challenge in the market industry. Another, technical education center’s dental field of study offers a ready to job program since it is mostly competency-based program that give problem-solving skills, and high-standard of knowledge that students and graduates need. Moreover, the dental assisting program will take approximately a one-year program and will schedule morning and afternoon.
Acceptance Rate
80.43
Tuition
$5,517 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
11:1
Concorde Career College (CCC) been offering degree, certificate, and adult programs for career-minded students. CCC provide a thoughtful sequence of courses that will coherent and rigorously align the academic and skills challenge in the market industry. Another, technical education center’s dental field of study offers a ready to job program since it is mostly competency-based program that give problem-solving skills, and high-standard of knowledge that students and graduates need. Moreover, the dental assisting program will take approximately a one-year program and will schedule morning and afternoon.
Acceptance Rate
61.58
Tuition
$15,955 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
41:1
International Business College located at Indianapolis, United States offers a variety of programs in different areas of study. The international Business College ensures the quality instructions, education, and training of the students through current teaching methods. Another, they continually train faculty members to maintain a high standard of education program and continually improve administration. IBC’s Dental Assisting degree program it is designed to provide 16 month of learning since it is offered in the Associate of Applied Science program. In this program, the students are more exposed in real-world experience on how to deal with patients in dental clinics and other oral health care offices.
Acceptance Rate
79.33
Student to Faculty Ratio
19:1
Midwest Institute offers a hands-on dental assisting program that will ensure the students skills and knowledge development. With a constant one-on-one interaction with students, it will ensure the growth while acquiring the techniques and ideas they learn from the learning institution of Midwest Institute. Another, the program itself sets a foundation for guiding the future dental assistant. These features will eventually help them to succeed on the job they are into.
Acceptance Rate
76.47
Tuition
$14,680 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
6:1
Concorde Career College located at Garden Grove CA, United States is a career focused school that offers a variety of programs. They are offering diploma programs and associate programs that help the students to gain skills and knowledge needed to get a job quickly. Moreover, the school has a strong foundation in faculty as they work as a team to train, mentor and prepare the students for their bright future.
Acceptance Rate
95.22
Tuition
$31,866 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
27:1
Concorde Career College located at San Diego offers a program in Diploma and Associate which is centered to provide learning and practical training. For their Dental Assistant program, it will take 9-months and available daytime and Evening class. Programs in the college usually will take as few as eight months depending on the course programs. But, all of it are designed to provide high quality standards for both academic and practical training.
Acceptance Rate
90.96
Tuition
$35,469 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
25:1
Concorde Career College located at San Bernardino, CA is offering an associate degree program and diploma degree program. The programs are designed to provide a well-equipment in terms of imparting learning and training for the students. They help them build their individuality while acquiring the techniques and skills they need soon to be Dental Assistant. For this program, it will require 10-months of training and learning the degree program. It will offer both daytime and evening class for the adult students. Moreover, the flexible program will definitely improve the skills and knowledge of the students.
Acceptance Rate
92.57
Tuition
$16,010 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
29:1
Concorde Career College located at Portland has been offering career driven programs for the past 50 years. They are offering a diploma degree program and an associate degree program that will surely build the students individuality in skills and knowledge. Moreover, students can acquire the array services given by the school. Aside from that for the information of the Dental Assistant diploma program it will take approximately 9 months. Where, it is designed to build the team work ability of the students which will help them once they are on the dental team. The program also prepares the student properly to take care of patients in proper oral care.
Acceptance Rate
96.23
Tuition
$16,516 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
34:1
Concorde Career College located at North Hollywood, California has been helping the students to train them to become a better version of themselves for almost 60 years. They are offering programs in health care services such as nursing, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, dental assisting, and surgical technology. Moreover, for their dental assisting program, it will take approximately 10-months of learning and training. And through the learning process, the students are surely improving their skills and understanding about the career path they chose. On the other hand, the programs faculty members will guide and coach them with a proper way of teaching them.
Acceptance Rate
91.39
Tuition
$32,883 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
22:1
Concorde Career Institute located near Leon Valley, Balcones Heights has been offering a variety of health care services programs for the past few years. And, for over the years the students are mostly exposed and engaged to practical real-world training to improve their understanding and skills appropriate in their career program. For their Dental Assistant program, it is offered in the Diploma program which is the class scheduled in Daytime and Evening class. Also, the program will take 9-months and through the learning process, the students are more exposed in training and actual presentation activities.
Acceptance Rate
93.86
Tuition
$17,701 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
45:1
Concorde Career Institute situated the campus at Dallas, Texas has been offering a career-focused program in healthcare services. This includes the Dental Assistant program which is designed to provide a diploma degree or offered an associate degree. Another, the program is constructed to give the students a one of a kind training and education about clinical and administrative office duties assisting dentists. Further, the variety of resources of the students will definitely make the graduates compete with the other in the medical market industry.
Acceptance Rate
88.09
Tuition
$16,875 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
44:1
Concorde Career Institute has been offering a variety of coursework programs in healthcare services. The campus is situated at Jacksonville, Florida. Another, the institute also has been offering various programs for the past 50 years. And, through the years they have been helping the students to become the people they wanted to be. To be confident enough to team up to the others. Also, the program is designed to provide the students a real-world experience about how to become an effective delta assistant in both clinical and administrative offices.
Acceptance Rate
76.61
Tuition
$50,048 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
38:1
University of Alabama at Birmingham offers a variety of programs in different areas of study. And this includes healthcare services programs that will enhance the students ability to assist the dentist team both administrative offices and clinical offices. Moreover, the program dental assisting is designed to provide in-depth lectures, training, and demonstrations. Hereafter, the university’s program will make sure that the graduates acquired the professionalism, ethics, skills, knowledge and ability of the best dental assistant.
Acceptance Rate
73.66
Student to Faculty Ratio
19:1
Concorde Career Institute situated at Orlando, Florida has been offering a variety of programs. Other programs are providing an accelerated quality mostly - programs related to healthcare services. Another, the programs are designed to give the students the education and training they need to succeed. For their dental assistant program, they are offering a related coursework of it. Where, the Dental Assistant will take 9 months of training and learning and schedule daytime and night-time.
Acceptance Rate
84.8
Tuition
$17,005 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
45:1
Concorde Career College located at Memphis Metro Areas offers a variety of healthcare programs. They are offering it in associate and diploma degrees where it is designed to provide great real-world experiences. The large majority of the faculty members and instructors of the programs are professionals with experiences and great credentials. The Dental Assisting program is offered in both associate degree and diploma. For a diploma degree program it will take 11 months of learning and training while in the Associate degree program it will take 21 month to complete the degree.
Acceptance Rate
93.38
Tuition
$15,840 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
35:1
Concorde Career Institute located in Tampa, Florida has been committed to offer career driven healthcare services for the past 40 years. They always provide the students the quality education and practical real-world experiences through providing hands-on training. The programs are designed to be student-centered as it needs to be in order for them to succeed. In the Dental Assistant degree program, it is offered in a diploma degree where it will take 9-months to complete the degree.
Acceptance Rate
91.67
Tuition
$16,395 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
40:1
Concorde Career Institute situated at South Florida Metro Area Miramar, Florida offers a variety of health care programs such as dental assistant, occupational therapist, pharmacy technician, and more. Aside from that, the instructors give the students hands-on training with techniques that can benefit them soon. Moreover, the program will take 9-months and can earn a diploma degree certificate.
Acceptance Rate
88.35
Tuition
$43,552 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
36:1
Concorde Career Colleges offers a variety of programs for qualified students to pursue. Their healthcare career-focused program is designed to provide a professional education and training. CCC’s Dental Assisting programs are both offered in diploma and associate programs where it is totally designed to prepare the students to become skilled and in an entry-level Dental Assistant. Moreover, the program will take 11-months to finish and schedule in daytime and night-time.
Acceptance Rate
94.92
Tuition
$16,805 / year
Student to Faculty Ratio
34:1
Herzing University situated in Minneapolis Campus offers a variety of programs. Also, the university is offering a healthcare career-focused program that provides lessons and demonstration in basic medical services. The university believes that with a dynamic and diverse learning the students could acquire the proper knowledge and skills to succeed in their chosen path of career.
Acceptance Rate
79.31
Student to Faculty Ratio
12:1
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis has been offering a variety of programs for many years. It is committed to provide the students the education and training they need to succeed in their chosen path of career. Moreover, they are offering certificate programs in Dental Assisting where it is designed to provide training and knowledge how to assist dentist administrative offices and clinics.
Acceptance Rate
80.73
Student to Faculty Ratio
15:1
ECPI University, formerly known as ECPI College of Technology, is a four year career college that offers career oriented education for its students in Virginia Beach and surrounding areas. Students may pick from many areas of study, including:
- Health and Clinical Professions
- Computer and Information Sciences
- Engineering Technology
- Medical Assistant
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Nursing
- System Administration
- Computer Systems Technology
- Healthcare Administration
- Online course work available
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Student employment
- Helping students find work after graduation
Acceptance Rate
73.81
Student to Faculty Ratio
11:1
What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
Dental assistants are a vital part of any well-functioning dental team. Dental assistants are both customer-facing and administrative by design. Much like a dental hygienist, a dental assistant can be found working closely with patients to provide exceptional customer service and support.
Unlike a dental hygienist, a dental assistant will perform many job functions behind the scenes. From patient charting to sterilizing medical equipment, dental assistant jobs can have a broad array of responsibilities day over day to ensure their dental office is well organized and running smoothly.
Top Dental Assistants Course Program
A certified dental assistant must attend an accredited dental college prior to pursuing a dental career in a licensed practice capacity. Generally, dental assistants will need to hold a high school diploma or equivalent in addition to higher education requirements. Typical college requirements include graduating from an accredited postsecondary institution with a certificate or degree mandated by your state.
In addition, you will need to successfully pass state-specific dental examinations prior to employment in the field. Dental assistant training programs can be offered by a number of community colleges, vocational schools, career colleges, and dental assistant specialty schools.
Vocational School or Technical Institute As a rule of thumb, a vocational school or technical institute is a school that targets skill development making work-readiness a top priority. Most vocational school programs result in dental assistants earning a certificate after completing the requisite coursework. Upon certificate completion, a dental assistant student will often work in a dental clinic or a dental office.
Community College A community college commonly offers 2-year programs focused on providing students with an associate degree. Students enrolled in a dental assistant program at a community college will be exposed to a number of general education classes along with dentistry courses to best support the evolving dental field. General electives at a community college will typically include math, creative writing, and philosophy. As such, dental assistants will be exposed to various courses and ways of thinking.
Dental Specialty School A specialty dental school is an industry specific type of school that provide the backbone of classes required by dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dental lab assistants. Certificate programs in dental assisting generally offer more science-rich classes than a community college. Dental schools are known to provide dental operations, health care, and research curriculum to students. Targeted courses are created to help prepare students for vibrant careers in the dental field upon graduation.
Dental Assistants College Classes
Adegree in dental assisting qualifies an individual to aid dentists in their daily operations, including administrative work, manipulating new technology, equipment sterilization, gathering materials, and acquisition of patient history and information. Certificate, diploma and associate's degrees are available to those wishing to pursue an education leading to a dental assisting job.
Students who wish to enroll in such a program will become familiarized with a dental setting, including daily operations, operation assistance, terminology, and excellent customer service. Individuals will work along with dentists to ensure that patient care is properly delivered and will also be educated in the process of taking patient histories and the retrieval of past information and documents.
Participants of certificate or diploma program will normally finish their program with a year. DA's in associate programs will generally have two years of study prior to completion due to the addition of general education courses in the curriculum.
Dental assisting programs resulting in an associate degree are slightly less common than diploma or certificate programs and generally found at community colleges. The dental assisting program has increased in popularity due to increased demand and public awareness of oral health management.
Dental Assistant Classes in College
The number and type of dental assisting courses you will take in college will vary from university to university. However, you will typically encounter a series of core classes across the majority of higher education institutions. Classes you may encounter in a dental assisting program will typically include courses such as:
- Dental Radiology
- Human Relations
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Medical Terminology
- Preventive Dentistry
- Emergency Management
- Dental Procedures
- Dental Office Management
Which Dental Assistant School is Right for Me?
Figuring out which dental assistant program is right for you is a direct correlation to your priorities and your career aspirations. There are a handful of guiding factors you will need to consider during your college match journey to find a great dental assisting school regardless of proximity, cost, or geography which include accreditation, timing, program specialization, and curriculum.
Accreditation If you are intent on bolstering your career through education, we recommend enrolling in an accredited higher education institution. Colleges and universities holding regional and national accreditation are key to your success. They have been vetted by third-parties and are schools equipped to prepare students for state licensing exams and professional work in the dental field.
When researching dental assistant programs, seek schools with a CODA (The Commission on Dental Accreditation) affiliation. A CODA accreditation will generally ensure top-tier schooling experiences for your investment. They have also been proven to provide students with the highest probability of finding work in the dental field upon program completion.
Program Path You will be best served if you know your goals in advance. Meaning if you are seeking a well-rounded educational experience as you move towards a dental assistant degree, a community college may be a great fit. If , however, your ultimate goal is to move from school directly into the workforce on an abbreviated schedule, a college offering an accelerated dental assisting degree could be a great choice.
Specialization It will come as no surprise that not all dental assistant degree programs are created equal. In addition to the different types of schools such as community colleges, vocational schools, and dental schools, you should apply to programs offering the specific career path of interest to you.
In other words, if your goal is to teach or perform research in the dental field after graduation, it is incumbent upon you to enroll in an accredited program that emphasizes that specialty.
Curriculum Within the constructs of a CODA accredited school, the range of programming can vary from school to school. It would be in your best interest to align yourself with programs with a history of quality clinical experiences for students. Put another way, an accredited school with a community partnership with dental offices or an on-site dental office is an indication the school values the clinical experiences for dental students.
How to Become a Dental Assistant
Admission requirements for CODA accredited colleges and dental assisting schools will generally have similar requirements for incoming students regardless of geographic location. The program requirements you should be prepared for regardless of the institution type or location will include:
- Application The details provided on your dental assistant college application will include personal information, socioeconomic information, and a personal statement. Be prepared to invest both time and money to craft an acceptance-worthy application to any college or dental school.
- DAT The Dental Admissions Test or DAT is required by a number of high-level dental schools. A DAT exam is administered by CODA to provide colleges with an applicant's probability of success after school. Additional information about DAT exams can be found via the ADA portal.
- Transcripts Your transcripts are yet another part of the equation for any higher education institution. In real terms, your transcripts are the factual, data-driven component of your college application. Transcripts reveal to admissions officers how you performed in previous classes which are used as an indication of your future success.
- Experience Employers and colleges will generally require more knowledge, skills, and experience with higher-level degree paths. More specifically, the work experience and classroom requirements for an Associate's degree program will be greater than the criteria for a diploma program in dental assisting.
- Letters of Recommendation A letter of recommendation from professors, teachers, and former managers is a must for most college admissions. These written testimonials speak to your work ethic, communication skills, character, and competencies. Letters of recommendation are weighted and considered with a student's application.
Top Dental Assisting Program & Degrees
The 2 primary paths for dental assistants include a certificate program or diploma program. Keep in mind there will be some variation from dental assistant school to dental school in terms of timing, cost, curriculum, program focus, and teaching methodology so make sure to research schools early and thoroughly. For those seek search dental assistant information to enter the right dental assistant program, the tracks below could be worth further consideration.
Dental Assistant Diploma Class
A diploma program for a dental assistant is geared to provide students with the basics of the job. Diploma programs are typically a one year dental assistant course regardless of the institution type. Curriculum is structured to help students understand the basics of teeth, jaws, gums, oral health, and dental instrumentation. The diploma program in most CODA accredited institutions fuse classroom time with lab work to get the best from the knowledge acquisition process.
Dental Assisting Certificate Programs
Much like a diploma program, a dental assistant certificate will cover oral health care and basic dental instrumentation. However, certificate programs often are structured to take 1-2 years to complete with the longer courses intended to lead students to an associates degree.
The dental assistant certification track will generally encompass additional classes not found in a diploma program. Additional classes may include core curriculum in chemistry, biology, anatomy, and administrative courses. More and more states require extra coursework and training to become proficient with radiographic equipment (x-ray) and specialties such as coronal polishing. Consult your local dentistry board for further information on state-specific requirements.
Online Dental Assistant Schools
Online dental assistant schools offer quality academic programs that lead to a certificate that have been rapidly growing in popularity and quality. As these programs gain traction in the marketplace, make sure to find top dental schools that have a CODA accreditation. Upon program completion, students with sufficient work experience are often granted a Certificate in Dental Assisting (CDA).
Before you consider applying to an online dental assistant program, take the time to perform an inventory analysis of your communication style, motivation, and learning style. Distance learning classes offer dental assistant flexibility to engage in school while not being bound to a classroom.
Online Dental Assistant Resources
For deeper analysis of online dental schools and distance learning, we have culled a list of important articles below. Additional research will yield a greater understanding of online courses and dental degrees to help you make a great decision.
- How to Make Online College More Affordable
- Is an Online College or Traditional College Setting Best for You?
- Unique Aspects of Taking Online College Courses
- Are Online College Degree Programs Right for Me?
- Benefits of Earning a College Degree Online
- Which Type of Online Degree or Credential is Right for You?
- Current Profile of Online Students
Career as a Dental Assistant
Though it is not necessary to have a degree or diploma to obtain work, the tasks and increasing responsibilities of dental assistants has created a demand for skilled/trained individuals. Job growth for dental assistants is expected to increase over the next few years at large institutions such as Willamette Dental, Coast Dental, Aspen Dental and various independent offices.
Most states do not require a license to work as a dental assistant, though the duties performed are regulated by each state. Certification may be obtained in some states to increase the duties a dental assistant may perform. Individuals interested in dental assisting should research their state's rules and regulations governing the profession, particularly if certification or licensure is required to work.
Those interested in a career as a hygienist dental assistant may also be interested to learn more about health care vocations like a medical assistant, physical therapy assistant, or occupational therapist assistant.
Dental Assistant Salary & Job Growth
The dental assisting schools have provided information to the BLS regarding career trends. It is expected that dental assistants will grow at 18% through 2024 as the demand for preventative dental care increases. As a result of this inherent demand, dentists will hire more assistants to take on routine tasks and basic patient care, allowing dentists to see more patients and focus on more complex procedures. Additionally, the current aging population has kept more of their original teeth than those of the same age in previous generations resulting in a need for more dental care among older generations.
How Much Do Dental Assistants Make?
Dental assistant salary is $36,940, with the lowest 10% earning less than $25,460. Meanwhile, the highest 10% earn more than $52,000 annually according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Individuals with quality work experience will generally be in the upper spectrum of pay and benefit from working with the same dentist or dental group for an extended period of time. Opportunity for upward mobility in small dental practices is limited given the number of staff coupled with the flat organizational structures found at most privately held companies.
Online Associations & Dental Career Resources
For additional information on a future in the dentistry field and gainful employment, read our comprehensive career guide on our dental career blog post. Our acclaimed career guide in dentistry includes popular dental careers, job duties, common treatments, educational requirements, safety procedures, dental specialties, and a detailed job outlook in dentistry. Popular careers in dentistry include dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and dental laboratory technicians.
Top Dental Assistant National & International Associations
National associations and trade groups in dental assisting can be tremendous sources of continuing education, dental assistant training, professional networking, discounts, and information. Dental associations have been around for decades and serve a defined group of professionals in the dental field to support their professional and personal endeavors. Top dental assisting associations in the country include the following organizations:
- AAP - American Academy of Periodontology
- AAE - American Association of Endodontists
- AAOMS - American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- AAO - American Association of Orthodontists
- ABPD - American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- ADA - American Dental Association
- ACOMS - American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- IAO - International Association for Orthodontics
- IADR - International Association of Dental Research