How long do you have to go to school to be a dental assistant?

Many traditional dental assistant training programs can take up to one year to complete, but with Penn Foster’s self-paced online coursework, you can prepare to take the next step toward a career in the field in as little as four months. This course can help you prepare for industry certification exams, such as the National Entry Level Dental Assistant.

Dental Assistant

Career Diploma 3 months

In Demand

Dental Assistant Program Online

If you're interested in pursuing a career where you can help others, studying in a dental assistant program can help you prepare to take the first steps on your dental assistant career path. Penn Foster's Dental Assistant Program can help you earn the skills needed at your pace and on your time.

Penn Foster’s Dental Assistant Program helps you prepare to sit for the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam and the Infection Control Exam (ICE) from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).
Study foundational skills in dental procedures, dental medications, and more.
Dental assistant jobs are expected to increase 7% — faster than the average job growth rate — over the next few years.*
Our online programs are flexible enough for you to finish them at a pace that works for you, based on how much time you can dedicate to your coursework each week.

Accredited

Online

Self Paced

Cost of Program

$839

$1,039 Save $200

$59/month, Start for as low as $20

Enroll Now Request Info

1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

This Program Is Right for You If:

You want to prepare for certification.
You have a busy life but still want to go back to school.
You like working at your own pace.
You want to learn the basics of working in a dental office.
You want to start a new career, but don’t necessarily want to work in a clinical setting.
You need tuition that fits in your budget.

What You Will Learn

Best practices and procedures for preventing disease transmission in a dental office.
Procedures used when assisting a dentist and/or dental hygienist.
Front office responsibilities, including bookkeeping, record keeping, scheduling, billing, and more.
The goals of preventative dentistry and the relationship between nutrition and dental caries.

Full Program Goal & Outcomes

Dental Assistant Career Outlook

Dental Assistant

AVG SALARY*

$44,820/yr

NUMBER OF JOBS*

371,000

JOB GROWTH*

Penn Foster's Dental Assistant Program is designed to help you prepare for an entry-level role as a dental assistant working in dental offices. With mobile-friendly coursework, virtual simulations, informative videos, and personal coaches to help you succeed, Penn Foster helps put you on track to pursue your career goals.

State Licensing Requirements

Licensing and/or certification requirements for jobs in the dental assistant field are not the same in every state and may include educational, testing, and/or experiential requirements beyond those offered by your Penn Foster Program. Prospective students should contact the state professional licensing board or similar regulatory body in the state(s) where they plan to work to determine their requirements before enrolling in this program. See the State Licensing page for contact information for state licensing/regulatory boards and certain industry licensing information. Please review your state board requirements that are specific to your field of study. State boards may impose a variety of different requirements for dental assistant programs. Penn Foster has determined that the curriculum does not meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following states: California.

Woman in blue scrubs with arms crossed on red, white, and blue background.

What Does A Dental Assistant Do?

Dental Assistant Program Online Curriculum

10 courses
27.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
16 exams

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 3 months
Average time = 7 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework. The estimated completion times are based on completion times for learners enrolled in this program from May 2021 - April 2022, excluding withdrawals.

In the online dental assistant program, you'll study to gain foundational skills and knowledge needed to support dentists and dental hygienists in a dental office. Your courses include:

Dental Terminology, Anatomy, and Charting
Preventative Dentistry and Ethics
Dental Medications and Materials
Dental Specialties
Dental Front Office

Show Full Curriculum

Dental Assistant Program Student Stories

Penn Foster’s Dental Assistant Program helps students prepare for the next step in their dentistry career path. This program has helped recent graduates learn at their own pace, find new jobs, and qualify for promotions. Learn more about their experiences and how Penn Foster worked for them.

View Student Success Stories

Kamrin A.

Penn Foster Graduate, 2023

“The convenience of doing what you can, when you can allowed me to have the freedom to work while taking classes.”

Looking for healthcare training for your workers?

Penn Foster’s online Dental Assistant Training can prepare current employees and train new ones to be effective and efficient dental assistants.

Learn More

Online Dental Assistant Program Tuition

Take the first steps towards a career helping others with our Dental Assistant Program. Penn Foster offers customized payment plans, so simply choose from one of our options below to get started today!

Option 1: Pay in full

Cost of Program¹

$839

$1,039 Save $200

Best price. Best value.
Pay the full cost today
No monthly payments

Enroll Now

Option 2: Monthly Auto Pay Plan

Cost of Program¹

$1,039

Pay $59 per month
Start for $20 down
All major credit and debit cards accepted

Enroll Now

Option 3: Monthly Mail Pay Plan

cost of program¹

$1,039

Pay $59 per month
Start for $39 down
Mail your payments

Enroll Now

Need more info or ready to enroll?

Looking for more information on transfer credits, military benefits, or our refund policy? Find this information and more about tuition and enrollment here.

Tuition & Payment Options

We're here to help. Call 1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM ET)

Request Info

Our Proven Healthcare Learning Model

Empowering students to reach their professional goals

Flexible

No set start date
No exam due dates
Study on the go

Interactive

Virtual simulations
Informative videos
Progress-tracking tools

Connected

24/7 access to online resources
Learning Resource Center
Hands-on training option

Supportive

Dedicated student services team
Instructors are a call or email away
Connect real-time with student peers

Related Programs

Medical Administrative Assistant

Career Diploma

Train to work in medical office administration and prepare to take the CMAA and CEHRS exams.

4 months As low as $59/mo

Medical Transcriptionist

Career Diploma

Prepare for a career in healthcare as a medical transcriptionist. Our online program also helps students prepare to sit for industry certification.

7 months As low as $59/mo

In Demand

Medical Assistant

Career Diploma

Prepare for a career helping others in a doctor's office or clinic with Penn Foster's accelerated, online Medical Assistant Training Program.

11 months As low as $59/mo

Dental Assistant Program FAQs

How much does a dental assistant make an hour?

While salary can vary based on experience, the state you live in, and your employer, the average hourly pay for dental assistants in the workforce in 2021 was $18.59 per hour, or $38,660 per year.*

What do dental assistants do?

In a typical dental office, dental assistants are those who support dentists and dental hygienists. A dental assistant's daily tasks can vary and include both administrative work and patient support. On a regular day, dental assistants take a patient’s medical history, explain procedures, and assist dentists during procedures. As a dental assistant, you can also expect to be responsible for preparing treatment rooms, including sterilizing medical equipment and tools and preparing patients for x-rays.

What does it take to become a dental assistant

Becoming a dental assistant often requires specific education and training. Depending on your state's regulations, you may also be required to pass a licensing or certification exam. Once you’re hired at an office, you may also complete a period of hands-on training under the supervision of an office manager or experienced dental assistant..

How long does it take to complete a Dental Assistant Program Online?

Many traditional dental assistant training programs can take up to one year to complete, but with Penn Foster’s self-paced online coursework, you can prepare to take the next step toward a career around your schedule and on the timeline that works for you. This course can help you prepare for industry certification exams, such as the National Entry Level Dental Assistant.

Do I need to be certified to become a dental assistant?

Certification requirements for dental assistants vary by state, you can find state-specific requirements via the Dental Assisting National Board website. Penn Foster’s Dental Assistant Program will prepare you to sit for the three exams needed for full NELDA (National Entry Level Dental Assistant) certification from DANB: the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, the Infection Control Exam (ICE), and the Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP) exam. Because our program is accredited by the DEAC, Penn Foster learners can sit for NELDA certification without needing 300 hours of dental assisting work experience.

Sources:

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, "Dental Assistants." Accessed October 3, 2023.

Statements found in the United States Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook are not a guarantee of any post-graduation salary, in part because the data used to create the Occupational Outlook Handbook includes workers from differing educational backgrounds, levels of experience, and geographic areas of the country.

Disclaimers:

¹ Depending on where you live, you may be charged taxes in addition to the total cost of your program.