Trade Schools
Dental assistants are in demand in dental offices for completing routine tasks.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for dental assistants in Arizona was $47,030 as of May 2023.
This means that half of all Arizona dental assistants earned less than this amount while half earned more.
Wages vary depending on experience level, education, and a variety of other factors.
Dental assistants in Arizona may perform specific tasks under the supervision of a licensed dentist.
Although there are no formal education requirements, and you can learn the skills needed for this profession on the job, completing a post-secondary training program may improve your chances of finding a good job.
To help you choose the program and the format that best fits your lifestyle and learning style, on this page, we have compiled information about the top dental assisting programs in Arizona.
1Arizona School of Dental Assisting
About the School
Arizona School of Dental Assisting offers a dental assistant program that has a 98 percent graduation rate.
The student-teacher ratio is 8 to 1.
Students may earn a certificate in only 12 weeks.
Courses Offered
The school offers the following programs:
- Dental Assisting
- Orthodontic Program
- Pediatric Program
The Dental Assisting program includes courses such as:
- Orientation to the Profession
- Initial Clinical Orientation
- Dental Charting
- Sterilization & Infection Control
- Dental X-ray Techniques
- Instrumentation
- Dental Materials
- Advanced Clinical Procedures
- And more
The program includes 112 total clock hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 4915 West Bell Road, Suite #F200, Glendale, AZ 85308
- Website: https://azdentalassistants.com
2American Institute of Dental Assisting
About the School
The American Institute of Dental Assisting prepares students for careers as professional Dental Assistants.
The program includes hands-on training with real patients.
Classes are offered in Phoenix and Mesa.
Students are prepared to excel as dental assistants in just 13 weeks.
The school provides a full dental facility experience and a modern dental assisting campus.
Trainees sit chairside and help dentists perform real-life dentistry as part of their regular class schedule.
The curriculum includes instruction on the latest, up-to-date x-ray information and techniques, as well as the industry-specific Dentrix software.
After completing the course, students receive a dental assisting certificate.
AIDA also prepares students extensively for the national X-ray certification exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 2500 S. Power Rd. Suite 127, Mesa, AZ 85209
- Phone: 480-209-1392
- Website: https://dentalassistantschoolsaz.com
3Altrain Assisting Academy
About the School
Altrain Assisting Academy offers affordable, hands-on training in a dental office setting.
The school offers small class sizes to allow for personalized attention from experienced instructors.
Programs can be completed in three, four, or five months.
In-person and hybrid classes are available.
Courses Offered
The program covers the following topics:
- Intro to Dentistry/Dentrix Training
- Chairside Assisting
- Radiology
- Labs and Models
- Coronal Polishing
- Job Placement
The program includes 153 hours in total.
Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available to fit students’s schedules.
The school offers the following programs:
- Dental Assistant- $7,000 total tuition and fees
- Dental with Orthodontic- $8,500
- Orthodontic Assistant- $1,800
- Dental Assistant and externship- $7,500
- Dental Assistant with Orthodontics and externship- $9,000
- Hybrid Dental Assisting- $5,000
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5750 West Thunderbird Road | Suite D480, Glendale, AZ 85306
- Phone: (602)595-7289
- Website: https://altrainassisting.com
4Unity Dental Assisting
About the School
Unity Dental Assisting offers a Dental Assisting Program that can be completed in 10 weeks.
The school offers online and hands-on training.
The structured curriculum is designed to combine watching, reading, and hands-on learning.
The program exposes students to a variety of modern dental technologies and trains them in a real dental practice setting.
Students may start earning a competitive salary as dental assistants in less than 80 days.
New classes start every seven weeks.
Tuition is $3,850
Online e-Learning platform, scrubs, dental supplies, equipment, and materials cost $600.
Contact Information
- Address:15331 W Bell Rd, Suite 204, Surprise, AZ 85374
- Phone:(602) 759-7020
- Website: https://www.unityda.com
5Phoenix Dental Assistant School
About the School
Phoenix Dental Assistant School offers a 12-week dental assistant course.
According to the school’s website, so far, the course has helped thousands of people start a new career in the dental field.
The school offers affordable tuition and flexible payment plans.
The comprehensive hybrid learning program includes in-person labs at a local dental office once a week.
The labs are paired with self-paced online lectures that can be completed at home during the week.
The school uses a curriculum taught by passionate and knowledgeable school instructors.
Students attend a 4.5-hour class dedicated specifically to learning and perfecting their lab skills in a real dental office in Phoenix.
Tuition is $2,950 if paid in full.
Contact Information
- Address: 31 S 63rd Street Suite 5, Mesa, AZ 85206
- Phone: (602) 704-5521
- Website: https://phoenixdentalassistantschool.com
6Accelerated Academy of Dental Assisting
About the School
The Accelerated Academy of Dental Assisting offers training programs that are convenient, affordable, and achievable.
The academy offers three dental assistant courses per year.
The school uses a curriculum that makes space for both lecture and hands-on learning opportunities.
The instructors have been licensed by Accelerated Academy Headquarters and are highly qualified.
Classes are available at several locations throughout the United States.
The Dental Assisting course runs for ten weeks.
Classes are held on Saturdays to allow students to balance their work with their training.
After completing the course, students will meet all the requirements to obtain their Registered Dental Assistant license.
The program also offers flexible payment plans so students can graduate without accumulating debt.
Tuition is $3,279 for early registration.
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting, Sterilization, and CPR/BLS
- Radiology
- Impressions
- Crown and Bridge
- Oral Surgery Implants, Partials, and Dentures
- Office Management
- Clinical Day
- And more
Students must be 17 years of age or older.
The school also requires a copy of a high school diploma, a copy of a GED, or a High School Equivalency Test.
Contact Information
- Address: 389 James St, Ozark, AL 36360
- Phone: 866-805-3785
- Website: https://www.acceleratedacademy.us
7UEI College
UEI College offers vocational and trade school programs that give students the opportunity to get real-world experience at a local employer through an externship opportunity.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assistant program can be completed in 10 months and includes eight course modules.
The program teaches students how to assist dentists with common dental procedures, sterilizing and disinfecting dental equipment, scheduling appointments, maintaining patient’s dental records, and checking in patients to a dental clinic.
Overall, the program prepares students for both front-office administrative tasks and back-office clinical dental assisting.
The program includes courses such as:
- Dental Science
- Radiography
- Dental Material
- Preventive Dentistry
- Dental Specialties
- Prosthodontics/Administrative Assistant
- And more
The program also includes an externship.
Contact Information
- Address: 1420 W. Southern Ave. Mesa, AZ 85202
- Phone: (480) 885-8949
- Website: https://www.uei.edu
8Pima Medical Institute
About the School
Pima Medical Institute has a campus in Phoenix since 2015.
The campus serves Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, Goodyear, Scottsdale, and other nearby cities.
The location gives students hands-on learning opportunities with instructors focused on students’ success and prepares them for a real-world medical career.
The Dental Assistant program available at Pima Medical Institute can be completed in nine months and teaches students how to work closely with a dental care team.
Courses focus on preparing patients for examination, taking X-rays, sterilizing equipment, preparing materials for impressions, and more.
The program is available on campus or in a hybrid format.
Through labs that mirror real-world settings and hands-on training taught by experienced instructors, students gain the experience to enter the workforce right after graduation.
Contact Information
- Address: 13610 N Black Cyn Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85029
- Phone: 800-477-PIMA
- Website: https://pmi.edu
9Western Maricopa Education Center
About the School
Western Maricopa Education Center is a public school district that provides career training programs for both adult and high school students.
The center is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education since 2015.
The Dental Assisting program at Western Maricopa Education Center includes a 180-hour externship and prepares students to assist medical professionals with dental examinations, sterilize and prepare instruments, provide coronal polish procedures, take and process X-rays, and take impressions of teeth.
Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to seek one or more certifications like:
- The Dental Assisting National Board
- Radiation Health
- Safety Certification
- Coronal Polish
Contact Information
- Address: 5487 N. 99th Ave. Glendale, AZ 85305
- Phone: 623.738.0022
- Website: https://www.west-mec.edu
10Carrington College
Carrington College helps students earn a certificate or degree in skilled trades.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assisting program available at Carrington College trains students in all aspects of working with a dentist, including patient care, office, and laboratory duties.
Students pay $20,736 for a two-year program.
The curriculum includes:
- Preventive Dentistry & Dental Science
- Dental Office Protocols
- Dental Assisting Procedures
The program may take up to two years to complete, depending on the credentials it leads to.
Students may earn a certificate, a diploma, or a degree.
The certificate may be completed in only nine months.
Contact Information
- Address: 8836 N. 23rd Ave., Building B, Phoenix, AZ 85021
- Phone: (602) 427-0722
- Website: https://carrington.edu
Regional Salary in Arizona
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff, AZ | 160 | $45,180 | $21.72 | $56,080 | $35,470 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | 380 | $43,930 | $21.12 | $48,840 | $36,460 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 5,180 | $48,230 | $23.19 | $58,440 | $37,470 |
| Prescott, AZ | 260 | $44,440 | $21.37 | $54,320 | $35,430 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | 70 | $42,030 | $20.21 | $47,400 | $34,670 |
| Tucson, AZ | 1,010 | $44,650 | $21.47 | $56,870 | $35,550 |
| Yuma, AZ | 110 | $41,160 | $19.79 | $48,150 | $30,720 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of some of the best dental assisting programs in Arizona, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your program and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and make an informed decision.
