Dental Assistant Programs Near You
Dental assistants prepare patients and instruments, assist dentists chairside, take x-rays where permitted, and keep patient records. Below are 549 accredited schools that graduated Dental Assistant students in 2023–24, organized by state and city.
Updated October 2026 · Sources: IPEDS, BLS
- Schools
- 549in 47 states
- Graduates 2023–24
- 15,318
- Median program cost
- $17,400188 schools reporting
- U.S. median pay
- $48,070$23.11/hr
Dental Assistant Programs by state
Top cities for dental assistant programs
- Los Angeles, CA27
- New York, NY13
- Riverside, CA12
- Phoenix, AZ11
- San Francisco, CA10
- Miami, FL9
- Seattle, WA9
- Atlanta, GA8
- Detroit, MI8
- Cleveland, OH8
- Houston, TX8
- San Diego, CA7
- Denver, CO7
- Chicago, IL7
- Dallas, TX7
- Philadelphia, PA6
- Tampa, FL6
- Cincinnati, OH6
- Las Vegas, NV6
- Minneapolis, MN5
- Nashville, TN5
- Memphis, TN4
- Fresno, CA4
- Sacramento, CA4
- San Antonio, TX4
- San Jose, CA4
- Jacksonville, FL4
- Portland, OR4
- Orlando, FL3
- St. Louis, MO3
Largest Dental Assistant programs in the U.S.
| School | Location | Graduates |
|---|---|---|
| United Education Institute-Morrow | Morrow, GA | 165 |
| Carrington College-Sacramento | Sacramento, CA | 161 |
| West Los Angeles College | Culver City, CA | 146 |
| The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest | Houston, TX | 142 |
| Concorde Career College-San Bernardino | San Bernardino, CA | 139 |
| UEI College-Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ | 138 |
| Delta Technical College-Mississippi | Horn Lake, MS | 138 |
| Carrington College-San Jose | San Jose, CA | 137 |
| Concorde Career College-Memphis | Memphis, TN | 137 |
| UEI College-Riverside | Riverside, CA | 131 |
How to become a dental assistant
- Look up your state dental board’s dental assisting rules, especially for x-rays and expanded functions.
- Complete a dental assisting program; CODA-accredited programs are the standard route.
- Pass any required exams (often DANB’s RHS, ICE or the full CDA).
- Register or apply for state permits if your state requires them.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to become a dental assistant?
CODA-accredited certificate programs commonly take about 9 to 11 months; associate degrees take about 2 years.
What certification do dental assistants need?
Requirements vary by state, from none to registration or licensure, and often separate permits for radiography and expanded functions. DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) is the main national certification; some states require DANB exams for specific duties.
How much do dental assistant programs cost?
Across 188 schools that published a program price, tuition plus books and supplies ranged from $1,612 to $33,160, with a median of $17,400.
How much do dental assistants make?
The U.S. median wage for dental assistants was $48,070 a year ($23.11/hour) in May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $37,130; the top 10% earned over $62,250.