ADA CODA-Accredited Dental Assistant Schools

“My advice to prospective dental assistants is to stay informed by reading extensively about dental trends, procedures, and even practical tips. It’s essential to be well-versed to guide patients on what constitutes good versus bad advice. With the abundance of information available, patients often encounter misleading or inaccurate details. As a dental assistant, you play a key role in helping them navigate and correct these misconceptions.”

– Claudia Tigrero, Certified Level II Dental Assistant

The employment outlook for dental assistants in the U.S. is strong, with faster-than-average job growth projected; in fact, an 8 percent increase in openings nationally is predicted between 2023 and 2033 (BLS 2025). Preventive dental services are in demand as the population ages, and research demonstrates the link between oral health and general health.

Dental assisting can be a rewarding career for those who enjoy working with people and in teams and those wishing to explore the field of dental hygiene or dentistry as a future career goal.

Dental assistants support dentists in tending to patients’ dental care and oral health needs, running the office, and processing laboratory work. General dental assisting duties involve preparing and sterilizing instruments and equipment, assisting dentists with treatments and procedures, gathering patient information and histories, and communicating post-surgery instructions to patients. Other duties may include passing instruments to the dentist, setting up and breaking down operatory rooms, and tending to office management and administrative tasks.

Depending on the state of practice, dental assistants may also perform patient care tasks independently, such as taking impressions, taking and developing radiographs, removing sutures, and fitting crowns and orthodontic brackets. With experience, some dental assistants move into roles such as dental office management, oral health education, or dental product sales.

Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)-certified assistants may earn more than non-certified full-time assistants and may be more likely to enjoy benefits such as dental care, pension plans, paid sick leave, holidays, and vacations. Dental assistants may take the certified dental assistant (CDA) exam if they have completed a dental assisting program accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Graduates of non-accredited programs, or those who received on-the-job training, are eligible to take the exam after two years of full-time dental assisting work experience.

Read on to discover CODA-accredited dental assistant programs and three exceptional professors in the field.

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is something most people don’t know about being a dental assistant?

Tigrero: One common misconception about dental assistants is that they are the same as dental hygienists, but the roles are quite different. Unlike hygienists, dental assistants do not clean teeth or provide direct patient care. Instead, their focus is on managing the office to ensure patient needs are met, which includes creating a comfortable environment and educating patients on oral health. Dental assistants require formal education, typically completing a dental assisting program that can take up to two years. Additionally, professional licensing is required to practice in the field.

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to a prospective dental assistant?

Tigrero: My advice to prospective dental assistants is to stay informed by reading extensively about dental trends, procedures, and even practical tips. It’s essential to be well-versed to guide patients on what constitutes good versus bad advice. With the abundance of information available, patients often encounter misleading or inaccurate details. As a dental assistant, you play a key role in helping them navigate and correct these misconceptions.

Dental Assisting Admissions Requirements & Accreditation

Dental assisting programs, whether online or on-campus, typically require the following of applicants:

• Completed application
• Official transcripts
• Prerequisite coursework
• CPR certification
• Background check
• Drug screening
• Proof of health insurance
• Attendance at information, advising, and/or orientation sessions
• Observation hours

Regarding the education requirements, some schools accept students working toward a GED while others require it in hand prior to admission. Similarly, prerequisite coursework in subjects like math, English, and reading and observation hours in a professional dental office are required for admission to some (but not all) programs. Other pre-admission activities such as information or orientation sessions and advising may occur in person, by phone, or virtually.

Dental Assisting programs with accreditation from the American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) are highly esteemed. CODA makes use of a collaborative peer-review accreditation process known for its rigor. Thus, programs earning this recognition are highly regarded within the profession, enhancing employment prospects for certification holders from accredited dental assisting programs. CODA evaluates predoctoral, advanced, and allied dental education programs.

On-Campus Dental Assisting Programs

College of Alameda

The dental assisting program at the College of Alameda is full-time and includes classroom-based lectures and laboratory practice. Course topics include head and neck anatomy, dental materials, chair-side skills, infection control, dental radiology, the use of technology in dentistry, California dental law, ethics, and professionalism.

During the spring semester, students participate in a clinical internship in a private dental office or in one of the clinics of the University of California or the University of Pacific Dental Schools. Program completion earns a certificate of completion, and graduates may take additional general education courses for an associate in science (AS) degree.

Required prerequisite courses include first aid and safety (HLTED 9) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HLTED 11). Candidates also are advised to take keyboarding (BUS 230) and computer literacy (CIS 205) before enrollment.

Graduates will be ready to take up roles such as registered dental assistants, oral surgery assistants, certified dental assistants, certified orthodontic assistants, front office administrators, office managers, lab technicians, and insurance billers.

• Location: Alameda, CA
• Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA); Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Expected Time to Completion: One to two years

San Antonio College (Alamo Colleges District)

Dedicated to meeting the needs of traditional and nontraditional students, SAC’s dental assisting program prepares graduates for various responsibilities within dental care. In addition to supporting the dentist during treatment and dental procedures, assistants are trained to gather patients’ medical histories and general health data, teach about oral hygiene and health, take impressions and radiographs, perform office communications and management tasks, and help patients feel comfortable throughout their dental experience.

Application to the program is competitive and entails a three-phase process, including completion of prerequisite math, English, and reading courses. Other admission requirements include attending a mandatory orientation, meeting with an advisor, and submitting proof of 20 hours of general dentistry observation.

Students can either earn a 33-credit level I certificate in dental assisting or a 60-credit associate of applied science degree in dental assisting. Sample some of the courses in the curriculum: dental materials; dental radiology; dental assisting applications; chairside assisting; dental laboratory procedures; preventive dentistry; dental radiology in the clinic; and dental office management.

• Location: San Antonio, TX
• Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: AAS (five semesters); certificate (three semesters)

Indiana University

Indiana University’s 30-credit dental assisting undergraduate certificate program is offered in a traditional on-campus format. This full-time, two-semester program requires completing 14 required courses, including approximately 1,000 hours of labs, clinical experiences, and lectures. Students must also complete a minimum of 300 clinical hours to earn this certificate.

Coursework includes the study of traditional topics in dentistry, such as dental materials, radiology, and clinical science, as well as a focused study of oral pathology, physiology and anatomy, preventive dentistry and nutrition, dental therapeutics, and medical emergencies.

Graduates are prepared for careers as certified dental assistants, dental office administrators, or dental sales representatives. This program is also offered onsite at the Indiana University-Purdue University or Indiana University Fort Wayne campuses.

Applicants are required to submit an essay in addition to a completed application and high school transcripts. Please note that this program meets licensure requirements in all states except Alabama, Michigan, and Minnesota.

• Location: Indianapolis, IN
• Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: 32 weeks; minimum of two semesters

Online Dental Assisting Programs

There are several online dental assisting programs available.

University of Houston, Downtown

UHD offers a 100-hour dental assistant program on-campus and online. The program offers CPR certification and upon completion, students are prepared for the state of Texas and national dental assisting exams. Successful students are also able to participate in an optional 40-hour clinical externship. Applicants with a high school or GED are eligible for admission.

As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as coding radiology services, dental administration, dental cements and impression materials, dental radiology, the foundation of clinical dentistry, patient information and assessment, oral health and prevention of dental disease, and dental anatomy and physiology.

• Location: Houston, TX
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Contact program representative for sample schedules

Ozarks Technical Community College (Hybrid)

The goals of the dental assisting program at OTC focus on evidence-based clinical theory, technical proficiency, and professional development and service. Students are prepared for various roles within the dental health team such as chairside, oral surgery, laboratory, and orthodontic assistant. They may also serve as dental office business assistants or managers.

Participants can choose either the 36-credit dental assisting certificate or the 61-credit dental assisting AAS degree. The curriculum includes courses such as chairside assisting; infection prevention; operative dentistry; dental science and health; dental materials; dental radiology; and medical terminology.

Graduates will be ready to take up roles such as dental assistants, dental laboratory technicians, dental office managers, dentist educators, and dental supply representatives.

Participants have the option of choosing the traditional track, delivered on campus in a classroom setting, or the hybrid track, offering primarily online classes with some on-campus laboratory and clinical work in local dental facilities. Applicants of both tracks must attend a dental program’s informational session once a year.

• Location: Springfield, MO
• Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years

Hudson Valley Community College

Hudson Valley Community College’s Dental Hygiene Department offers an online dental assisting certificate. This certificate prepares students who are new to this profession to perform several tasks in dental offices, such as sterilizing instruments, performing office duties, and preparing materials for dental procedures.

This online certificate consists of 27 credits, including courses such as dental assisting radiology, dental anatomy and embryology, dental materials for dental assistants, dental office procedures, and oral hygiene education and nutrition. The program also includes 225 hours of hands-on clinical experience through a formal clinical internship.

• Location: Troy, NY
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Two terms

Penn Foster Career School

Penn Foster’s online dental assistant career diploma can be completed in as few as four months. Preparing graduates for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), this program provides them with foundational skills in dental medications, dental procedures, and more.

This program consists of 10 courses and explores topics such as dental terminology, anatomy, and charting; an introduction to dental assistants; preventive dentistry and ethics; dental medications and materials; infection control and dental emergencies; professional opportunities and management software; and dental specialties.

• Location: Scranton, PA
• Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
• Expected Time to Completion: Fast track (3 months); Average time (7 months)

Dental Assisting Certification & Licensure

Several certifications are available for dental assistants. Certification can bolster applicants’ candidacy for positions within the dental field and increase their salaries. Schools often state which certification exams students are prepared to take upon program completion.

National Certification

Some online programs only prepare students for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) examination’s radiation and infection control portions. Be sure that the program you select offers a curriculum in alignment with your professional goals, as some focus more on administrative aspects of dental assisting and others more on patient care.

• Registered Dental Assistant: California offers Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification for board-approved dental assisting educational program graduates. This exam entails a hands-on practical exam and two computerized written exams (a state general knowledge exam and a state law and ethics exam).
• Registered Dental Assistant X-ray: Offered through the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE), this certification is required in Texas dental facilities to perform X-rays.
• Qualified Dental Assistant: This credential is recognized in some states, including North Dakota, as an assistant who has been trained either “on the job” through a dental assisting program (accredited or unaccredited) or employment and training by a licensed dentist but has not taken a certifying exam at the state or national level. Such professionals are not approved to do some assisting work, such as x-rays, but may be eligible to take a certifying exam after two years of professional experience.