Dental Assistant Schools - ADA CODA-Accredited & Online Programs

The employment outlook in the U.S. for dental assistants is strong, with faster than average job growth projected; in fact, there’s an 11 percent increase in openings nationally predicted between 2020 and 2030. Preventive dental services are in demand as the population ages, and the body of 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, as well as for 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, in addition to 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 related roles such as dental office management, oral health education, or dental product sales.

Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) certified assistants may earn a higher wage 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 that received on-the-job training, are eligible to take the exam once they have two years of full-time dental assisting work experience.

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

SELECT * FROM `mts_online_offline_data` WHERE `page_url` = '/dental-assistant' AND ( `table_type` = 'Offline' OR `table_type` = 'BOTH (Online + Offline)' ) ORDER BY `grads` DESC

List of Dental Assistant Schools

Filter by state :
School City State Website grads (2018)
Vista College El Paso Texas vistacollege.edu 252
Concorde Career College-San Antonio San Antonio Texas www.concorde.edu/campus/san-antonio-texas 199
Porter and Chester Institute of Stratford Stratford Connecticut www.porterchester.com 189
MedQuest College Louisville Kentucky medquestcollege.edu 179
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia Visalia California www.sjvc.edu 144
Carrington College-Sacramento Sacramento California carrington.edu 142
YTI Career Institute-York York Pennsylvania www.yti.edu 124
New York School for Medical and Dental Assistants Long Island City New York nysmda.com 121
Fortis College-Landover Landover Maryland www.fortiscollege.edu 120
Fortis Institute-Wayne Wayne New Jersey fortisinstitute.edu 120
Charter College Vancouver Washington www.chartercollege.edu 119
Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis Indiana www.ivytech.edu 117
Concorde Career Institute-Tampa Tampa Florida www.concorde.edu/campus/tampa-florida 116
Concorde Career College-Aurora Aurora Colorado www.concorde.edu/campus/aurora-colorado 109
Carrington College-San Jose San Jose California carrington.edu 103
Compu-Med Vocational Careers Corp Hialeah Florida compumed.edu 103
Concorde Career College-San Bernardino San Bernardino California www.concorde.edu/campus/san-bernardino-california 103
Astrodome Career Centers Houston Texas www.astrodome.edu 102
Harris School of Business-Upper Darby Campus Upper Darby Pennsylvania www.harrisschool.edu 98
American Career College-Los Angeles Los Angeles California americancareercollege.edu 97
Concorde Career Institute-Orlando Orlando Florida www.concorde.edu/campus/orlando-florida 97
Concorde Career College-Memphis Memphis Tennessee www.concorde.edu/campus/memphis-tennessee 96
Concorde Career College-Grand Prairie Grand Prairie Texas www.concorde.edu/campus/grand-prairie-texas 95
Mountainland Technical College Lehi Utah mtec.edu 95
Carrington College-Phoenix North Phoenix Arizona carrington.edu 93
Eastern College of Health Vocations-Little Rock Little Rock Arkansas www.easterncollege.edu 93
United Education Institute-Morrow Morrow Georgia www.uei.edu 91
Pima Medical Institute-Albuquerque Albuquerque New Mexico pmi.edu 90
Concorde Career College-Dallas Dallas Texas www.concorde.edu/campus/dallas-texas 85
Delta Technical College Horn Lake Mississippi www.deltatechnicalcollege.com 84
National University College Bayamon Puerto Rico www.nuc.edu 84
Northwest Career College Las Vegas Nevada northwestcareercollege.edu 84
Blue Cliff College-Metairie Metairie Louisiana www.bluecliffcollege.edu 83
ECPI University Virginia Beach Virginia www.ecpi.edu 83
Pima Medical Institute-Tucson Tucson Arizona pmi.edu 83
Concorde Career College-San Diego San Diego California www.concorde.edu/campus/san-diego-california 82
United Education Institute-Huntington Park Campus Huntington Park California www.uei.edu 82
Concorde Career College-Portland Portland Oregon www.concorde.edu/campus/portland-oregon 80
Instituto de Banca y Comercio Inc Guaynabo Puerto Rico www.ibanca.net 80
UEI College-Bakersfield Bakersfield California www.uei.edu 79
Foothill College Los Altos Hills California foothill.edu 78
West Georgia Technical College Waco Georgia www.westgatech.edu 77
Century College White Bear Lake Minnesota www.century.edu 75
Florida National University-Main Campus Hialeah Florida www.fnu.edu 75
Platt College-STVT-McAllen McAllen Texas www.stvt.edu 75
Concorde Career College-Kansas City Kansas City Missouri www.concorde.edu/campus/kansas-city-missouri 73
Texas State Technical College Waco Texas www.tstc.edu 73
Advantage Career Institute Eatontown New Jersey www.aci.edu 71
UEI College-Riverside Riverside California www.uei.edu 71
Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield Missouri www.otc.edu 70
Concorde Career College-Garden Grove Garden Grove California www.concorde.edu/campus/garden-grove-california 68
Concorde Career College-Southaven Southaven Mississippi www.concorde.edu/campus/southaven-mississippi 67
Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park Minnesota www.hennepintech.edu 67
Pima Medical Institute-Houston Houston Texas pmi.edu 66
Pima Medical Institute-Renton Renton Washington pmi.edu 66
Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs Colorado Springs Colorado pmi.edu 65
Ponce Paramedical College Inc Ponce Puerto Rico www.popac.edu 65
Pima Medical Institute-Denver Denver Colorado pmi.edu 64
United Education Institute-Encino Encino California www.uei.edu 64
Concorde Career Institute-Miramar Miramar Florida www.concorde.edu/campus/miramar-florida 63
United Education Institute-Chula Vista Chula Vista California www.uei.edu 62
American Career College-Ontario Ontario California americancareercollege.edu 61
Westchester School for Dental Assistant Elmsford New York dentaltrainingwp.com 61
United Education Institute-UEI College Stockton Stockton California www.uei.edu 60
Fortis College Mobile Alabama www.fortis.edu 59
Camden County College Blackwood New Jersey www.camdencc.edu 57
UEI College-Gardena Gardena California www.uei.edu 56
United Education Institute-West Covina West Covina California www.uei.edu 56
Lincoln Technical Institute-Somerville Somerville Massachusetts www.lincolntech.edu/campus/somerville-ma 54
Carrington College-Mesa Mesa Arizona carrington.edu 53
Dorsey Business Schools-Dearborn Detroit Michigan www.dorsey.edu 53
Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids Iowa www.kirkwood.edu 53
Pima Medical Institute-Mesa Mesa Arizona pmi.edu 53
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-Brownsville Brownsville Texas www.stvt.edu 53
United Education Institute-Anaheim Anaheim California www.uei.edu 53
UEI College-Fresno Fresno California www.uei.edu 52
Remington College-Nashville Campus Nashville Tennessee www.remingtoncollege.edu 51
Florida Career College-Orlando Orlando Florida www.floridacareercollege.edu 51
Fortis Institute-Towson Towson Maryland www.fortis.edu 51
Fortis College-Columbia Columbia South Carolina www.fortis.edu 50
Central Career Institute LLC South Plainfield New Jersey www.centralcareer.edu 49
Chattanooga State Community College Chattanooga Tennessee www.chattanoogastate.edu 49
Concorde Career Institute-Jacksonville Jacksonville Florida www.concorde.edu/campus/jacksonville-florida 49
Midwest Institute Fenton Missouri midwestinstitute.com 49
Remington College-Cleveland Campus Cleveland Ohio www.remingtoncollege.edu 48
American Career College-Anaheim Anaheim California americancareercollege.edu 48
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute-Weslaco Weslaco Texas www.stvt.edu 48
Stark State College North Canton Ohio www.starkstate.edu 48
Eastern College of Health Vocations-New Orleans New Orleans Louisiana www.easterncollege.edu. 47
Florida Career College Pembroke Pines Florida www.floridacareercollege.edu 47
Pima Medical Institute-Seattle Seattle Washington pmi.edu 47
Concorde Career College-North Hollywood North Hollywood California www.concorde.edu/campus/north-hollywood-california 46
San Jose City College San Jose California www.sjcc.edu 46
Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa Oklahoma tulsatech.edu 46
Midwest Technical Institute-Ridgeland Ridgeland Mississippi www.deltatechnicalcollege.com 45
Unitek College Fremont California www.unitekcollege.edu 45
Carrington College-Albuquerque Albuquerque New Mexico carrington.edu 45
Carrington College-Citrus Heights Citrus Heights California carrington.edu 45
Carrington College-San Leandro San Leandro California carrington.edu 45
Carrington College-Stockton Stockton California carrington.edu 45
Platt College-Moore Moore Oklahoma www.plattcolleges.edu 45
Salish Kootenai College Pablo Montana www.skc.edu 45
Carrington College-Spokane Spokane Washington carrington.edu 44
Midwest Technical Institute-East Peoria East Peoria Illinois www.midwesttech.edu 44
Phoenix College Phoenix Arizona www.phoenixcollege.edu 44
Platt College-Berks Technical Institute Wyomissing Pennsylvania www.berks.edu 44
Ultimate Medical Academy-Clearwater Clearwater Florida www.ultimatemedical.edu/about 44
Western Iowa Tech Community College Sioux City Iowa www.witcc.edu 44
Community Care College Tulsa Oklahoma www.communitycarecollege.edu 43
Harris School of Business-Voorhees Campus Voorhees New Jersey www.harrisschool.edu 43
Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland Washington www.lwtech.edu 43
Madison Area Technical College Madison Wisconsin madisoncollege.edu 43
Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista Chula Vista California pmi.edu 43
Centura College-Norfolk Norfolk Virginia www.centuracollege.edu 42
Florida Career College-UEI College-Phoenix Phoenix Arizona www.uei.edu 42
Gwinnett Technical College Lawrenceville Georgia www.gwinnetttech.edu 42
Harris School of Business-Wilmington Campus Wilmington Delaware www.harrisschool.edu 42
Pima Medical Institute-Las Vegas Las Vegas Nevada pmi.edu 42
First Institute of Travel Inc. Crystal Lake Illinois www.firstinstitute.edu 41
Midwest Technical Institute-Springfield Springfield Illinois midwesttech.edu 41
Renton Technical College Renton Washington www.rtc.edu 41
Unitech Training Academy-Lafayette Lafayette Louisiana www.unitechtrainingacademy.com 41
Fortis Institute-Pensacola Pensacola Florida www.fortis.edu 40
American College for Medical Careers Orlando Florida www.acmc.edu 40
American Institute-Clifton CLIFTON New Jersey www.americaninstitute.edu 40
Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Pleasant Hill California carrington.edu 40
Carrington College-Portland Portland Oregon carrington.edu 40
Dakota County Technical College Rosemount Minnesota www.dctc.edu 40
United Education Institute-Ontario Ontario California www.uei.edu 40
Elgin Community College Elgin Illinois www.elgin.edu 39
Midwest Technical Institute-Springfield Springfield Missouri midwesttech.edu 39
Milan Institute-Visalia Visalia California www.milaninstitute.edu 39
San Antonio College San Antonio Texas www.alamo.edu/sac 39
Vatterott College-Dividend Memphis Tennessee www.vatterott.edu 39
Remington College-North Houston Campus Houston Texas www.remingtoncollege.edu 38
Broward College Fort Lauderdale Florida www.broward.edu 38
Portland Community College Portland Oregon www.pcc.edu 38
United Education Institute-UEI College San Marcos San Marcos California www.uei.edu 38
Arizona College-Glendale Glendale Arizona www.arizonacollege.edu 37
Fortis College-Orange Park Orange Park Florida fortis.edu 37
Milwaukee Area Technical College Milwaukee Wisconsin matc.edu 37
Pearl River Community College Poplarville Mississippi www.prcc.edu 37
Platt College-Lawton Lawton Oklahoma www.plattcolleges.edu 37
Riverside County Office of Education-School of Career Education Indio California www.riversidesce.org 37
The College of Health Care Professions-McAllen Campus McAllen Texas www.chcp.edu 37
The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest Houston Texas www.chcp.edu 37
Alamance Community College Graham North Carolina www.alamancecc.edu 36
Allan Hancock College Santa Maria California www.hancockcollege.edu 36
ATA College Louisville Kentucky www.ata.edu 36
Bellingham Technical College Bellingham Washington www.btc.edu 36
Carrington College-Tucson Tucson Arizona carrington.edu 36
Monroe Community College Rochester New York www.monroecc.edu 36
South Puget Sound Community College Olympia Washington www.spscc.edu 36
Carrington College-Las Vegas Las Vegas Nevada carrington.edu 35
Citrus College Glendora California www.citruscollege.edu 35
Downey Adult School Downey California www.das.edu 35
Reedley College Reedley California www.reedleycollege.edu 35
Rogue Community College Grants Pass Oregon www.roguecc.edu 35
Ross Medical Education Center-Fort Wayne Fort Wayne Indiana www.rosseducation.edu 35
Spokane Community College Spokane Washington scc.spokane.edu 35
Tyler Junior College Tyler Texas www.tjc.edu 35
Dental Assistant Pro LLC-Columbus Westerville Ohio www.dentalassistantpro.com 34
Dorsey Business Schools-Roseville Roseville Michigan www.dorsey.edu 34
Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center Altoona Pennsylvania www.gactc.edu 34
Ross Medical Education Center-Cincinnati Cincinnati Ohio www.rosseducation.edu 34
All-State Career School-Allied Health Campus Essington Pennsylvania www.allstatecareer.edu 33
Fortis Institute-Birmingham Birmingham Alabama www.fortis.edu 33
North-West College-West Covina West Covina California www.north-westcollege.edu 33
Pickens Technical College Aurora Colorado www.pickenstech.org 33
Pima Medical Institute-Aurora Aurora Colorado pmi.edu 33
Orange Coast College Costa Mesa California www.orangecoastcollege.edu 32
Remington College-Fort Worth Campus Fort Worth Texas www.remingtoncollege.edu 32
Bridgerland Technical College Logan Utah www.btech.edu 32
Indian River State College Fort Pierce Florida www.irsc.edu 32
Milan Institute-Boise Boise Idaho www.milaninstitute.edu 32
Milan Institute-Merced Merced California www.milaninstitute.edu 32
Onondaga Cortland Madison BOCES Liverpool New York ocmboces.org 32
Ross Medical Education Center-Johnson City Johnson City Tennessee www.rosseducation.edu 32
The College of Health Care Professions-Austin Austin Texas www.chcp.edu 32
Unitech Training Academy-Alexandria Alexandria Louisiana www.unitechtrainingacademy.com 32
Lincoln Technical Institute-Lincoln Lincoln Rhode Island www.lincolntech.edu/campus/lincoln-lti-ri 31
Fox Valley Technical College Appleton Wisconsin www.fvtc.edu 31
Hinds Community College Raymond Mississippi www.hindscc.edu 31
Midwest Technical Institute-Moline Moline Illinois www.midwesttech.edu 31
Unitech Training Academy-West Monroe West Monroe Louisiana www.unitechtrainingacademy.com 31
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology Wichita Kansas www.wsutech.edu 31
Bradford School Pittsburgh Pennsylvania www.bradfordpittsburgh.edu 30
Carrington College-Boise Boise Idaho carrington.edu 30
Fortis Institute-Port Saint Lucie Port Saint Lucie Florida www.fortis.edu 30
Medical Career & Technical College Richmond Kentucky www.medicalcareerandtechnicalcollege.edu 30
Monroe 2 Orleans BOCES-Center for Workforce Development Rochester New York www.monroe2cwd.edu 30
Unitech Training Academy-Metairie Metairie Louisiana www.unitechtrainingacademy.com 30
Vatterott College-Springfield Springfield Missouri www.vatterott.edu 30
Career Care Institute Lancaster California www.ccicolleges.edu 29
Clover Park Technical College Lakewood Washington www.cptc.edu 29
Des Moines Area Community College Ankeny Iowa www.dmacc.edu 29
Fortis College-Montgomery Montgomery Alabama www.fortiscollege.edu 29
Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown North Carolina www.gtcc.edu 29
Minnesota State Community and Technical College Fergus Falls Minnesota www.minnesota.edu 29
Palomar College San Marcos California www.palomar.edu 29
Ross Medical Education Center-Niles Niles Ohio www.rosseducation.edu 29
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Valdosta Georgia www.wiregrass.edu 29
Atlanta Technical College Atlanta Georgia atlantatech.edu 28
Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque New Mexico www.cnm.edu 28
Fortis College-Smyrna Smyrna Georgia fortis.edu 28
Greenville Technical College Greenville South Carolina www.gvltec.edu 28
Herzing University-Minneapolis St. Louis Park Minnesota www.herzing.edu 28
Milan Institute-Sparks Sparks Nevada www.milaninstitute.edu 28
Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USD Concord California mdae.mdusd.org 28
San Diego Mesa College San Diego California www.sdmesa.edu 28
The College of Health Care Professions-Fort Worth Fort Worth Texas www.chcp.edu 28
University of Southern Indiana Evansville Indiana www.usi.edu 28
Bates Technical College Tacoma Washington www.batestech.edu 27
American Institute-West Hartford West Hartford Connecticut americaninstitute.edu 27
Charlotte Technical College Port Charlotte Florida www.charlottetechcollege.net 27
Porter and Chester Institute of Branford Branford Connecticut www.porterchester.com 27
St Cloud Technical and Community College Saint Cloud Minnesota www.sctcc.edu 27
Wake Technical Community College Raleigh North Carolina www.waketech.edu 27
Lewis and Clark Community College Godfrey Illinois www.lc.edu 26
Pima Medical Institute-El Paso El Paso Texas www.pmi.edu 26
Platt College-Miller-Motte-Raleigh Raleigh North Carolina www.miller-motte.edu 26
Platt College-STVT-Corpus Christi Corpus Christi Texas www.stvt.edu 26
The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston Houston Texas www.chcp.edu 26
Lorenzo Walker Technical College Naples Florida www.lwtc.edu 26
Remington College-Houston Southeast Campus Webster Texas www.remingtoncollege.edu 26
Career Training Academy-Lower Burrell Lower Burrell Pennsylvania careerta.edu 26
Central Community College Grand Island Nebraska www.cccneb.edu 26
Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire Wisconsin www.cvtc.edu 26
College of Western Idaho Nampa Idaho cwi.edu 25
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville North Carolina www.abtech.edu 25
Autry Technology Center Enid Oklahoma autrytech.edu 25
Daymar College-Clarksville Clarksville Tennessee www.daymarcollege.edu 25
Lamar State College-Orange Orange Texas www.lsco.edu 25
Milan Institute-Las Vegas Las Vegas Nevada www.milaninstitute.edu 25
Pima Community College Tucson Arizona www.pima.edu 25
Southeast Community College Area Lincoln Nebraska www.southeast.edu 25
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Memphis Memphis Tennessee www.tcatmemphis.edu 25
All-State Career-Baltimore Baltimore Maryland www.allstatecareer.edu 24
ATA Career Education Spring Hill Florida www.atafl.edu 24
Delta College Inc Covington Louisiana www.deltacollege.com 24
Dental Assistant Pro-Lebanon Lebanon Ohio www.dentalassistantpro.com 24
Fayetteville Technical Community College Fayetteville North Carolina www.faytechcc.edu 24
George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville Hanceville Alabama www.wallacestate.edu 24
Manatee Technical College Bradenton Florida manateetech.edu 24
Medical Training College Baton Rouge Louisiana www.mtcbr.com 24
Oxnard College Oxnard California www.oxnardcollege.edu 24
Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Chattanooga Chattanooga Tennessee www.miller-motte.edu 24
Ross College-Sylvania Sylvania Ohio www.rosseducation.edu 24
University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences San Juan Puerto Rico www.rcm.upr.edu 24
Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte North Carolina www.cpcc.edu 23
City College of San Francisco San Francisco California www.ccsf.edu 23
Dawn Career Institute LLC Newark Delaware www.dawncareerinstitute.edu 23
Erwin Technical College Tampa Florida www.erwin.edu 23
Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids Michigan www.grcc.edu 23
Middlesex Community College Bedford Massachusetts www.middlesex.mass.edu 23
North-West College-Pomona Pomona California www.north-westcollege.edu 23
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Green Bay Wisconsin www.nwtc.edu 23
Orange Technical College-Orlando Campus Orlando Florida www.orangetechcollege.net 23
PCI Health Training Center Dallas Texas www.pcihealth.edu 23
Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix Phoenix Arizona www.pmi.edu 23
Sacramento City College Sacramento California www.scc.losrios.edu 23
Stone Academy-West Haven West Haven Connecticut www.stoneacademy.com 23
Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor Michigan www.wccnet.edu 23
Moreno Valley College Moreno Valley California www.mvc.edu 22
Antonelli College-Jackson Jackson Mississippi www.antonellicollege.edu 22
Coastal Carolina Community College Jacksonville North Carolina www.coastalcarolina.edu 22
Eastern Florida State College Cocoa Florida www.easternflorida.edu 22
Eastern Gateway Community College Steubenville Ohio www.egcc.edu 22
Intellitec College-Grand Junction Grand Junction Colorado www.intellitec.edu 22
Mandl School-The College of Allied Health New York New York www.mandl.edu 22
Caris College Jeffersonville Indiana www.cariscollege.edu 21
Cerritos College Norwalk California www.cerritos.edu 21
College of Alameda Alameda California alameda.peralta.edu 21
Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville Florida www.fscj.edu 21
Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome Georgia www.gntc.edu 21
Great Lakes Institute of Technology Erie Pennsylvania www.glit.edu 21
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education La Puente California www.hlpae.com 21
Harcum College Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania www.harcum.edu 21
Hillsborough Community College Tampa Florida www.hccfl.edu 21
Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland Wisconsin www.gotoltc.edu 21
Lane Community College Eugene Oregon www.lanecc.edu 21
Pueblo Community College Pueblo Colorado www.pueblocc.edu 21
Ross Medical Education Center-Kokomo Kokomo Indiana www.rosseducation.edu 21
Truckee Meadows Community College Reno Nevada www.tmcc.edu 21
Waukesha County Technical College Pewaukee Wisconsin www.wctc.edu 21
Central Lakes College-Brainerd Brainerd Minnesota www.clcmn.edu 20
Centura College-Richmond Main Richmond Virginia www.centuracollege.edu 20
Chemeketa Community College Salem Oregon www.chemeketa.edu 20
Clackamas Community College Oregon City Oregon www.clackamas.edu 20
College of San Mateo San Mateo California www.collegeofsanmateo.edu 20
Delta College of Arts & Technology Baton Rouge Louisiana www.deltacollege.com 20
Erie Community College Buffalo New York www.ecc.edu 20
Fortis Institute-Lawrenceville Lawrenceville New Jersey fortis.edu 20
Genesis Career College-Cookeville Cookeville Tennessee www.genesiscareer.edu 20
High Desert Medical College Lancaster California www.hdmc.edu 20
Midlands Technical College West Columbia South Carolina www.midlandstech.edu 20
Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis Minnesota www.minneapolis.edu 20
Ross Medical Education Center-Grand Rapids North Grand Rapids Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 20
Ross Medical Education Center-Lafayette Lafayette Indiana www.rosseducation.edu 20
Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa California www.santarosa.edu 20
Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg South Carolina www.sccsc.edu 20
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock Arkansas www.uaptc.edu 20
Fortis Institute-Houston Houston Texas www.fortis.edu 19
Flint Hills Technical College Emporia Kansas www.fhtc.edu 19
Fortis College-Cincinnati Cincinnati Ohio www.fortis.edu 19
Indian Hills Community College Ottumwa Iowa www.indianhills.edu 19
Northcentral Technical College Wausau Wisconsin www.ntc.edu 19
NorthWest Arkansas Community College Bentonville Arkansas www.nwacc.edu 19
Palm Beach State College Lake Worth Florida www.palmbeachstate.edu 19
Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg Saint Petersburg Florida www.myptc.edu 19
Ross Medical Education Center-Charleston Charleston West Virginia www.rosseducation.edu 19
Ross Medical Education Center-Kentwood Kentwood Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 19
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Salisbury North Carolina www.rccc.edu 19
Skagit Valley College Mount Vernon Washington www.skagit.edu 19
Unitech Training Academy-Houma Houma Louisiana www.unitechtrainingacademy.com 19
West Los Angeles College Culver City California www.wlac.edu 19
Albany Technical College Albany Georgia www.albanytech.edu 18
Arizona College-Mesa Mesa Arizona www.arizonacollege.edu 18
Butte County Regional Occupational Program Chico California ctec.bcoe.org 18
Cypress College Cypress California www.cypresscollege.edu 18
Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill California www.dvc.edu 18
International Business College-Indianapolis Indianapolis Indiana www.ibcindianapolis.edu 18
Linn-Benton Community College Albany Oregon www.linnbenton.edu 18
Milan Institute-Amarillo Amarillo Texas www.milaninstitute.edu 18
Pikes Peak Community College Colorado Springs Colorado www.ppcc.edu 18
Pinnacle Career Institute-South Kansas City Kansas City Missouri pcitraining.edu 18
Red Rocks Community College Lakewood Colorado www.rrcc.edu 18
Ross Medical Education Center-Knoxville Knoxville Tennessee www.rosseducation.edu 18
Ross Medical Education Center-Madison Heights Madison Heights Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 18
Ross Medical Education Center-Muncie Muncie Indiana www.rosseducation.edu 18
Savannah Technical College Savannah Georgia www.savannahtech.edu 18
Sinclair Community College Dayton Ohio www.sinclair.edu 18
The College of Health Care Professions-San Antonio San Antonio Texas chcp.edu 18
Tri-County Technical College Pendleton South Carolina www.tctc.edu 18
Trident Technical College Charleston South Carolina www.tridenttech.edu 18
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham Alabama www.uab.edu 18
Westmoreland County Community College Youngwood Pennsylvania westmoreland.edu 18
York Technical College Rock Hill South Carolina www.yorktech.edu 18
Lorain County Joint Vocational School District Oberlin Ohio www.lcjvs.com/loraincountyadultcareercenter_home.aspx 17
Blake Austin College Vacaville California blakeaustincollege.edu 17
Chaffey College Rancho Cucamonga California www.chaffey.edu 17
College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas Nevada www.csn.edu 17
Community College of Rhode Island Warwick Rhode Island www.ccri.edu 17
Danville Community College Danville Virginia www.dcc.vccs.edu 17
Delta College University Center Michigan www.delta.edu 17
Delta College-Slidell Campus Slidell Louisiana deltacollege.com 17
El Paso Community College El Paso Texas www.epcc.edu 17
Emily Griffith Technical College Denver Colorado www.emilygriffith.edu 17
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond Virginia www.reynolds.edu 17
Luna Community College Las Vegas New Mexico www.luna.edu 17
NHTI-Concord's Community College Concord New Hampshire www.nhti.edu 17
North Dakota State College of Science Wahpeton North Dakota www.ndscs.edu 17
Northwestern Michigan College Traverse City Michigan www.nmc.edu 17
Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester Minnesota www.rctc.edu 17
Ross Medical Education Center-Elyria Elyria Ohio www.rosseducation.edu 17
Ross Medical Education Center-Evansville Evansville Indiana www.rosseducation.edu 17
Ross Medical Education Center-New Baltimore New Baltimore Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 17
Southeastern Technical Institute South Easton Massachusetts www.stitech.edu 17
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson Dickson Tennessee www.tcatdickson.edu 17
American Institute-Toms River Toms River New Jersey www.americaninstitute.edu 16
Atlantic Technical College Coconut Creek Florida www.atlantictechnicalcollege.edu 16
Central Carolina Community College Sanford North Carolina www.cccc.edu 16
College of the Redwoods Eureka California www.redwoods.edu 16
First Coast Technical College Saint Augustine Florida fctc.edu 16
Fortis College-Centerville Centerville Ohio www.fortiscollege.edu 16
Front Range Community College Westminster Colorado www.frontrange.edu 16
Hibbing Community College Hibbing Minnesota www.hibbing.edu 16
Luzerne County Community College Nanticoke Pennsylvania www.luzerne.edu 16
North-West College-Glendale Glendale California www.nw.edu 16
Ross Medical Education Center - Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 16
Ross Medical Education Center-Dayton Dayton Ohio www.rosseducation.edu 16
Ross Medical Education Center-Flint Flint Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 16
Ross Medical Education Center-Granger Granger Indiana www.rosseducation.edu 16
Ross Medical Education Center-Huntsville Huntsville Alabama www.rosseducation.edu 16
Ross Medical Education Center-Lansing Lansing Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 16
Salina Area Technical College Salina Kansas www.salinatech.edu 16
Stone Academy-Waterbury Waterbury Connecticut www.stone.edu 16
University of Maine at Augusta Augusta Maine www.uma.edu 16
Wytheville Community College Wytheville Virginia www.wcc.vccs.edu 16
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville Knoxville Tennessee tcatknoxville.edu 15
Buckeye Joint Vocational School New Philadelphia Ohio www.buckeyecareercenter.org 15
Chattanooga College Medical Dental and Technical Careers Chattanooga Tennessee www.chattanoogacollege.edu 15
Choffin Career and Technical Center Youngstown Ohio www.choffinctc.com/adult-education 15
Daytona State College Daytona Beach Florida www.daytonastate.edu 15
Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport Iowa www.eicc.edu 15
Fortis College-Richmond Richmond Virginia www.fortis.edu 15
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg Pennsylvania www.hacc.edu 15
Humacao Community College Humacao Puerto Rico www.hccpr.edu 15
Illinois Valley Community College Oglesby Illinois www.ivcc.edu 15
Lanier Technical College Gainesville Georgia www.laniertech.edu 15
Meridian College Sarasota Florida www.meridian.edu 15
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana Las Cruces New Mexico dacc.nmsu.edu 15
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar Iowa www.nicc.edu 15
Ross Medical Education Center-Davison Davison Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 15
Ross Medical Education Center-Roosevelt Park Roosevelt Park Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 15
Seattle Central College Seattle Washington www.seattlecentral.edu 15
South Central College North Mankato Minnesota www.southcentral.edu 15
Summit College Colton California www.summitcollege.edu 15
Wayne Community College Goldsboro North Carolina www.waynecc.edu 15
Western Dakota Technical Institute Rapid City South Dakota www.wdt.edu 15
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College Shell Lake Wisconsin www.witc.edu 15
Gulf Coast State College Panama City Florida www.gulfcoast.edu 14
Amarillo College Amarillo Texas www.actx.edu 14
College of Eastern Idaho Idaho Falls Idaho www.cei.edu 14
College of Marin Kentfield California www.marin.edu 14
Fortis College-Phoenix Phoenix Arizona fortiscollege.edu 14
Gateway Technical College Kenosha Wisconsin www.gtc.edu 14
Hagerstown Community College Hagerstown Maryland www.hagerstowncc.edu 14
Hudson Valley Community College Troy New York www.hvcc.edu 14
Huntington Junior College Huntington West Virginia www.huntingtonjuniorcollege.edu 14
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Alabama www.lawsonstate.edu 14
Milan Institute-Palm Desert Palm Desert California www.milaninstitute.edu 14
Platt College-Miller-Motte-Wilmington Wilmington North Carolina www.miller-motte.edu 14
Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College Miami Florida rmec.dadeschools.net 14
Ross Medical Education Center-Erlanger Erlanger Kentucky www.rosseducation.edu 14
Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe New Mexico www.sfcc.edu 14
Southern Crescent Technical College Griffin Georgia www.sctech.edu 14
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Fennimore Wisconsin www.swtc.edu 14
State Technical College of Missouri Linn Missouri www.statetechmo.edu 14
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus San Juan Puerto Rico umet.suagm.edu 14
Wayne County Community College District Detroit Michigan www.wcccd.edu 14
Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools Groveport Ohio www.eastland-fairfield.com 13
Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center Ashland Ohio www.acwhcc.org 13
Brookline College-Phoenix Phoenix Arizona www.brooklinecollege.edu 13
Brookline College-Tempe Tempe Arizona brooklinecollege.edu 13
Cape Fear Community College Wilmington North Carolina www.cfcc.edu 13
Del Mar College Corpus Christi Texas www.delmar.edu 13
Fortis College-Salt Lake City Salt Lake City Utah www.fortiscollege.edu 13
Hawkeye Community College Waterloo Iowa www.hawkeyecollege.edu 13
Horry-Georgetown Technical College Conway South Carolina www.hgtc.edu 13
Martin Community College Williamston North Carolina www.martincc.edu 13
Mohave Community College Kingman Arizona www.mohave.edu 13
Northern Essex Community College Haverhill Massachusetts www.necc.mass.edu 13
Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro Georgia www.ogeecheetech.edu 13
Rose State College Midwest City Oklahoma www.rose.edu 13
Ross Medical Education Center-Saginaw Saginaw Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 13
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Nashville Nashville Tennessee www.tcatnashville.edu 13
Miami Valley Career Technology Center Englewood Ohio www.mvctc.com/ae 12
ATA College Tri-County Springdale Ohio www.ata.edu 12
Central Oregon Community College Bend Oregon www.cocc.edu 12
College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls Idaho www.csi.edu 12
Columbus Technical College Columbus Georgia www.columbustech.edu 12
Fortis Institute-Erie Erie Pennsylvania www.fortis.edu 12
Great Oaks Career Campuses Cincinnati Ohio www.greatoaks.com 12
Houston Community College Houston Texas www.hccs.edu 12
Kaskaskia College Centralia Illinois www.kaskaskia.edu 12
Labette Community College Parsons Kansas www.labette.edu 12
Manchester Community College Manchester Connecticut www.manchestercc.edu 12
Massasoit Community College Brockton Massachusetts www.massasoit.edu 12
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City Kansas City Missouri www.mcckc.edu 12
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls Minnesota www.mnwest.edu 12
Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Virginia www.nvcc.edu 12
Northwest Florida State College Niceville Florida www.nwfsc.edu 12
Ohio Valley College of Technology East Liverpool Ohio ovct.edu 12
Platt College Tulsa Oklahoma www.plattcolleges.edu 12
Rio Salado College Tempe Arizona www.rio.maricopa.edu 12
Springfield Technical Community College Springfield Massachusetts www.stcc.edu 12
State Career College Waukegan Illinois www.statecareercollege.edu 12
University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks Alaska www.uaf.edu 12
Volunteer State Community College Gallatin Tennessee www.volstate.edu 12
Western Technical College La Crosse Wisconsin www.westerntc.edu 12
Wilkes Community College Wilkesboro North Carolina www.wilkescc.edu 12
University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage Alaska www.uaa.alaska.edu 11
West Virginia Junior College-Charleston Charleston West Virginia www.wvjc.edu 11
Fortis College-Norfolk Norfolk Virginia www.fortis.edu 11
Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville Arkansas www.anc.edu 11
Blackhawk Technical College Janesville Wisconsin www.blackhawk.edu 11
Career Training Academy-Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania www.careerta.edu 11
Fortis Institute-Scranton Scranton Pennsylvania www.fortis.edu 11
Madison Adult Career Center Mansfield Ohio www.madisonadultcc.org 11
Medina County Career Center Medina Ohio mcjvs.edu 11
Milwaukee Career College Milwaukee Wisconsin www.mkecc.edu 11
Northwest Technical College Bemidji Minnesota www.ntcmn.edu 11
Ogden-Weber Technical College Ogden Utah www.otech.edu 11
St Paul's School of Nursing-Staten Island Staten Island New York www.stpaulsschoolofnursing.edu 11
Tarrant County College District Fort Worth Texas www.tccd.edu 11
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro Tennessee www.tcatmurfreesboro.edu 11
Traviss Technical College Lakeland Florida www.traviss.edu 11
Umpqua Community College Roseburg Oregon www.umpqua.edu 11
Trinidad State Junior College Trinidad Colorado www.trinidadstate.edu 10
Athens Technical College Athens Georgia www.athenstech.edu 10
Augusta Technical College Augusta Georgia www.augustatech.edu 10
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins Georgia www.centralgatech.edu 10
College of Central Florida Ocala Florida www.cf.edu 10
Delta College of Arts & Technology-Lafayette Campus Lafayette Louisiana www.deltacollege.com 10
Florence-Darlington Technical College Florence South Carolina www.fdtc.edu 10
Forsyth Technical Community College Winston-Salem North Carolina www.forsythtech.edu 10
Fortis College-Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Falls Ohio fortiscollege.edu 10
Fortis College-Indianapolis Indianapolis Indiana www.fortiscollege.edu 10
Indiana University-Northwest Gary Indiana www.iun.edu 10
John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner Alabama calhoun.edu 10
Marshalltown Community College Marshalltown Iowa mcc.iavalley.edu 10
Metro Technology Centers Oklahoma City Oklahoma www.metrotech.edu 10
Montgomery Community College Troy North Carolina www.montgomery.edu 10
Northwest Suburban College Rollng Meadows Illinois nwsc.edu 10
Owens Community College Perrysburg Ohio www.owens.edu 10
Pasco-Hernando State College New Port Richey Florida www.phsc.edu 10
Polaris Career Center Middleburg Heights Ohio www.polaris.edu 10
Ross Medical Education Center-Canton Canton Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 10
Stone Academy-East Hartford East Hartford Connecticut www.stoneacademy.com 10
Vatterott College-Fairview Heights Fairview Heights Illinois www.vatterott.edu 10
Virginia Highlands Community College Abingdon Virginia www.vhcc.edu 10
Western Piedmont Community College Morganton North Carolina www.wpcc.edu 10
Yakima Valley College Yakima Washington www.yvcc.edu 10
Purdue Global-Omaha Omaha Nebraska www.purdueglobal.edu/campus-locations 9
Aiken Technical College Graniteville South Carolina www.atc.edu 9
Antonelli College-Hattiesburg Hattiesburg Mississippi www.antonellicollege.edu 9
Blue Mountain Community College Pendleton Oregon www.bluecc.edu 9
Cape Coral Technical College Cape Coral Florida capecoraltech.edu 9
Eagle Gate College-Murray Murray Utah eaglegatecollege.edu 9
Francis Tuttle Technology Center Oklahoma City Oklahoma www.francistuttle.edu 9
IBMC College Fort Collins Colorado www.ibmc.edu 9
Iowa Western Community College Council Bluffs Iowa www.iwcc.edu 9
Miami Lakes Educational Center and Technical College Miami Lakes Florida miamilakes.edu 9
Quinsigamond Community College Worcester Massachusetts www.qcc.edu 9
Ross Medical Education Center-Portage Portage Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 9
Southwestern Oregon Community College Coos Bay Oregon www.socc.edu 9
Tunxis Community College Farmington Connecticut www.tunxis.edu 9
Vatterott College-Kansas City Kansas City Missouri www.vatterott.edu 9
YTI Career Institute-Altoona Altoona Pennsylvania www.yti.edu 9
Eastern Arizona College Thatcher Arizona www.eac.edu 8
Franklin Technology-MSSU Joplin Missouri www.franklintechnologycenter.com 8
Great Falls College Montana State University Great Falls Montana www.gfcmsu.edu 8
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts San Mateo California www.gurnick.edu 8
Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha Nebraska www.mccneb.edu 8
Moore Norman Technology Center Norman Oklahoma www.mntc.edu 8
Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner Massachusetts mwcc.edu 8
Ocean County Vocational-Technical School Toms River New Jersey www.ocvts.org 8
Pittsburgh Career Institute Pittsburgh Pennsylvania www.pci.edu 8
Tallahassee Community College Tallahassee Florida www.tcc.fl.edu 8
The College of Health Care Professions-Dallas Dallas Texas www.chcp.edu 8
Cuyahoga Valley Career Center Brecksville Ohio www.cvccworks.edu 7
Charles H McCann Technical School North Adams Massachusetts www.mccanntech.org 7
Davis Technical College Kaysville Utah www.davistech.edu 7
Germanna Community College Locust Grove Virginia www.germanna.edu 7
John A Logan College Carterville Illinois www.jalc.edu 7
Lake Michigan College Benton Harbor Michigan www.lakemichigancollege.edu 7
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center Willow Street Pennsylvania www.lancasterctc.edu 7
PCI College Cerritos California www.pci-ed.com 7
Saint Louis Community College Bridgeton Missouri www.stlcc.edu 7
South Florida State College Avon Park Florida www.southflorida.edu 7
West Virginia Junior College-Bridgeport Bridgeport West Virginia www.wvjc.edu 7
Central Wyoming College Riverton Wyoming www.cwc.edu 6
H Councill Trenholm State Community College Montgomery Alabama www.trenholmstate.edu 6
Manor College Jenkintown Pennsylvania www.manor.edu 6
Meridian Community College Meridian Mississippi www.meridiancc.edu 6
Nevada Career Institute Las Vegas Nevada www.nevadacareerinstitute.com 6
Platt College-OKC-Memorial Oklahoma City Oklahoma www.plattcolleges.edu 6
Ross Medical Education Center-Morgantown Morgantown West Virginia www.rosseducation.edu 6
University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus Gallup New Mexico www.gallup.unm.edu 6
American College of Healthcare and Technology Riverside California www.ach.edu 5
Antonelli College-Cincinnati Cincinnati Ohio www.antonellicollege.edu 5
Canadian Valley Technology Center El Reno Oklahoma www.cvtech.edu 5
Central California School of Continuing Education San Luis Obispo California ccsce.org 5
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap Pennsylvania www.cpi.edu 5
Mid-Plains Community College North Platte Nebraska www.mpcc.edu 5
Mott Community College Flint Michigan www.mcc.edu 5
Ross Medical Education Center-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 5
Ross Medical Education Center-Brighton Brighton Michigan www.rosseducation.edu 5
Ross Medical Education Center-Owensboro Owensboro Kentucky www.rosseducation.edu 5
Galaxy Medical College North Hollywood California www.galaxymedicalcollege.edu 4
Herzing University-Akron Akron Ohio www.herzing.edu 4
InterCoast Colleges-Riverside Riverside California www.intercoast.edu 4
Monterey Peninsula College Monterey California www.mpc.edu 4
National Career College Panorama City California www.nccusa.edu 4
Northeast State Community College Blountville Tennessee www.northeaststate.edu 4
Provo College Provo Utah www.provocollege.edu 4
Wayne County Schools Career Center Smithville Ohio www.wayne-jvs.k12.oh.us 4
Western Technology Center Burns Flat Oklahoma www.westtech.edu 4
Abdill Career College Inc Medford Oregon www.abdill.com 3
California Healing Arts College Carson California www.chac.edu 3
Institute of Medical Careers Pittsburgh Pennsylvania www.imbc.edu 3
North-West College-Van Nuys Van Nuys California www.north-westcollege.edu 3
Pasadena City College Pasadena California pasadena.edu 3
San Jacinto Community College Pasadena Texas www.sanjac.edu 3
Institute of Professional Careers Las Vegas Nevada www.dentalassistanttraininginlasvegasnv.com 2
Academy of Careers and Technology Beckley West Virginia www.wvact.net 2
Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette Alabama www.coastalalabama.edu 2
Kapiolani Community College Honolulu Hawaii www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu 2
Lincoln College of New England-Southington Southington Connecticut www.lincolncollegene.edu 2
Mech-Tech College Caguas Puerto Rico www.mechtech.edu 2
Palladium Technical Academy Inc Temple City California palladium.edu 2
Platt College-Miller-Motte Technical-Columbus Columbus Georgia www.miller-motte.edu 2
Putnam Career and Technical Center Eleanor West Virginia pctc.edu 1
American Institute-Somerset Somerset New Jersey www.americaninstitute.edu 1
Berks Career & Technology Center Leesport Pennsylvania www.berkscareer.com 1
Daymar College-Murfreesboro Murfreesboro Tennessee www.daymarcollege.edu 1
Monongalia County Technical Education Center Morgantown West Virginia mtec.mono.k12.wv.us 1
North Central State College Mansfield Ohio www.ncstatecollege.edu 1
O C Collins Career Center Chesapeake Ohio www.collins-cc.edu 1
Prestige Health & Beauty Sciences Academy North Miami Beach Florida phabsa.com 1
2017-2018 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in November, 2019)

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
  • Dental examination with radiographs
  • Attendance at information, advising, and/or orientation sessions
  • Observation hours

With regards to 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, as well as 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 take place 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.

School City State Website grads (2018)
Carrington College-Sacramento Sacramento California carrington.edu 142
Carrington College-San Jose San Jose California carrington.edu 103
Carrington College-Citrus Heights Citrus Heights California carrington.edu 45
Carrington College-Stockton Stockton California carrington.edu 45
Carrington College-Pleasant Hill Pleasant Hill California carrington.edu 40
Lake Area Technical Institute Watertown South Dakota www.lakeareatech.edu 37
Santa Fe College Gainesville Florida www.sfcollege.edu 18
Eastern Iowa Community College District Davenport Iowa www.eicc.edu 15
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis Indianapolis Indiana www.iupui.edu 12
Siena Heights University Adrian Michigan www.sienaheights.edu 3
2017-2018 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in November, 2019)

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 the study of head and neck anatomy, dental materials, chair-side skills, infection control, dental radiology, 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
  • Estimated Tuition: In-state ($46 per unit); out-of-state ($265 per unit)

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)
  • Estimated Tuition: Texas residents (in-district - $99 per credit; out-of-district - $215 per credit); non-resident ($466 per credit)

State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo

SUNY Buffalo offers an on-campus certificate program for aspiring dental assistants that can be completed in less than a year. The curriculum includes coursework in the dental sciences and materials, radiology, computer fundamentals, preclinical and chairside seminars and labs, and preventive dentistry.

All students participate in a 300-hour clinical internship at a private dental office, a community health center, or the SUNY-Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

Applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses: infection control, HIPPA and corporate compliance, and CPR healthcare (provider level). Other prerequisites include an introduction to healthcare, professional development and an introduction to effective communication, and a dental assisting laboratory course.

  • Location: Buffalo, NY
  • Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA); Middle States Commission on Higher Education
  • Expected Time to Completion: 30 weeks
  • Estimated Tuition: Contact program for a customized assessment

Indiana University

The 30-credit dental assisting undergraduate certificate program at Indiana University 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 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, in addition to 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.

In addition to a completed application and high school transcripts, applicants are required to submit an essay. 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
  • Estimated Tuition: Resident ($8,794.78); non-resident ($30,476.90)

Online Dental Assisting Programs

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 of radiology services; dental administration; dental cements and impression materials; dental radiology; the foundation of clinical dentistry; patient information and assessment; oral health and preventions 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
  • Estimated Tuition: $1,199 total (not including externship)

Rutgers University

The online, self-paced administrative dental assistant program at Rutgers prepares graduates with the skills needed to manage the business aspects of dental practices. In addition to studying dental terminology and anatomy, the curriculum focuses on medical records management, patient scheduling, procedural and diagnostic coding, billing and insurance, accounts receivable, and reimbursements.

Administrative dental assistants perform duties in conjunction with both patients and dentists, hence, other aspects of the program include building communication skills and relevant proficiency in technology. Using the DENTRIX G4 instructional software allows students to apply their learning to authentic, sample practice activities.

Some of the topics students will delve into include orientation to the dental profession; interpersonal and communication skills; records management; scheduling and recall systems; dental insurance processing; financial management; office equipment and inventory; and employment strategies.

  • Location: New Brunswick, NJ
  • Accreditation: American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA); Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Six months
  • Estimated Tuition: $2,285 total

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 onsite laboratory and clinical work on-campus or in local dental facilities. Applicants of both tracks are required to 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
  • Estimated Tuition: In-district ($15,526); out-of-district ($17,403)

Hudson Valley Community College

Hudson Valley Community College’s Dental Hygiene Department offers an online dental assisting certificate preparing students who are new to this profession for performing 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, among others.

The program also includes 225 hours of hands-on clinical experience through a formal clinical internship.

  • Location: Troy, New York
  • Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  • Expected Time to Completion: Two terms
  • Estimated Tuition: NY state resident ($200 per credit); NY state non-resident and out-of-state resident ($400 per credit)

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.

Consisting of 10 courses, this program explores topics such as dental terminology, anatomy, and charting; introduction to dental assistant; 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 (4 months); Average time (7 months)
  • Estimated Tuition: $59 per month

Dental Assisting Certification & Licensure

Several certifications are available for dental assistants. Certification can bolster applicants' candidacy for positions within the dental field as well as salaries.

Schools often state which certification exams students are prepared to take upon program completion. Some online programs only prepare students for the Dental Assisting National Board 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.

For example, the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam includes three components: general chairside assisting, radiation health and safety, and infection control. Dental assistants with this certification must renew annually and fulfill continuing education requirements. CDA is a national recognition.

The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) also provides details on the different certification options and has documented state recognition of dental assistant titles. Here are a few examples:

California offers the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification for graduates of board-approved dental assisting educational programs. 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).

Texas also offers RDA certification through the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE). This certification is required in Texas dental facilities to perform x-rays.

A Qualified Dental Assistant is recognized in some states as an assistant that has been trained either "on the job" through a dental assisting program (accredited or unaccredited), or through 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 in the role.

Dental Assisting Professors to Know

Twyla Rader is a clinical assistant professor in the department of biomedical sciences and comprehensive care at Indiana University’s School of Dentistry. Before her appointment at Indiana University, Twyla Rader was a liaison to the Indiana Dental Hygiene Association Board. She teaches or has taught courses such as chemistry and nutrition; radiology; medical and dental emergencies; dental healthcare research; educational methodology in health sciences; instructional media and technology in health science education; radiology clinic.

In March 2021, she received the Trustees' Teaching Award by Indiana University, an award that honors individuals who have a positive impact on learning through the direct teaching of students. Rader has the Indiana Dental Hygiene License and the Indiana Local Anesthesia License. She completed her master’s of education in learning and technology from Western Governors University and her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees from Indiana University School of Dentistry.

Dr. Janet Sell teaches both dental assisting and hygiene courses and serves as the program director in dental assisting. She holds numerous advanced degrees, including BS and MS degrees in communications and a doctorate in higher education administration. She is a certified dental assistant, has professional experience in private practices, and has served as a curriculum consultant for the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) for the past 10 years. Notably, Professor Sell was recognized for her achievements with the Excellence in Education award in 2013.

Cheryl Startzell is an assistant professor of medical assisting and dental assisting at San Antonio College. She served as the program coordinator for the medical assisting program for eight years and currently teaches in both the dental and medical assisting programs.

Through a high-impact project grant, Professor Startzell is a consultant for the mountain plains FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) Practice and Implementation Center. She is also a former chair (2012-14) and vice-chair (2010-12) of the medical assisting education review board, and a current co-chair of the core curriculum task force of the American Association of Medical Assistants. Ms. Startzell holds degrees in health services management (MA), biology (BS), and medical assisting (AAS).