Trade Schools
Dental assistants work in dentists’ offices and are responsible for providing patient care, taking X-rays, keeping records, scheduling appointments, and other similar tasks.
If you enjoy working with people and you want to prepare for a profession that can be both personally and financially fulfilling, this may be the right path for you.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by dental assistants in California was $52,470- higher than the national average for this profession.
This tells us that half of all workers in this profession earned less than this and half earned more.
If you want to become a Registered Dental Assistant, the State of California requires that you fulfill some conditions, including:
- Graduating from a California Board-approved RDA educational program or
- Complete 15 months of work experience as a dental assistant or
- Complete a combination of non-approved educational program work experience
You are also required to:
- Complete approved courses in radiation safety and coronal polishing
- Complete a two-hour approved course in California Dental Practice Act and an 8-hour approved infection control course within five years before application for licensure
- Complete an ASHI, AHA, or ARC-approved course in Basic Life Support or a course taught by a provider approved by the ADA’s Continuing Education Recognition Program or the AGD’s Program Approval for Continuing Education
- Apply for examination and licensure as an RDA to the Dental Board of California
- Pass the written RDA General and Law and Ethics exam and obtain background clearance from the board
To help you choose the program and the format that work best for you, on this page we have compiled information about the best dental assistant schools in California.
1Fullerton Dental Assistant School
Fullerton Dental Assistant School helps students become registered dental assistants in 10 to 14 weeks.
The school is fully accredited and approved by the Dental Board of California.
Students learn in a state-of-the-art office with nine training operatories.
They have their own supplies, handpieces, and mannequins for individual training.
The program is 75% hands-on with classes customized to meet student needs.
The course includes 78 hours of lecture and 56 hours of internship.
Courses Offered
The school offers the following additional dental board-approved courses:
- CPR/BLS
- Infection Control
- Dental Practice Act
- Radiology
- One-on-one radiology
- Coronal polish
- OSHA
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2720 North Harbor Blvd, Suite 110 Fullerton, CA 92835
- Phone: (714) 882-5518
- Website: https://dentalassistantfullerton.com
2Dental Assisting Institute
About the School
Dental Assisting Institute offers courses taught in an actual practicing dental office.
The institute has campuses in Modesto and Fresno.
The school has more than 20 years of experience in teaching students the art of dental assisting.
Students learn state-of-the-art methods in dental assisting.
Courses Offered
The school offers the following courses:
- Saturday Dental Assistant Course
- Radiation Safety Course
- Pit and Fissure Sealants
- 8-Hour Infection Control Course
- Ultrasonic Scaling Course
- RDA Written exam review (home study)
- RDA Written exam review (course)
Contact Information
- Address: 4832 N First St Suite 105, Fresno, CA 93726
- Phone: (559) 777-4146
- Website: https://dentalassistinginstitute.com
3Dental Assistant School of San Diego
About the School
Dental Assistant School of San Diego prepares students for careers in the in-demand field of dental assisting.
Classes are completed in 13 weeks and qualify students beyond the level of other local schools.
The school has an education team of people who are extensively trained and skilled in their areas of expertise.
The staff work together to provide each student with dental assistant training that prepares them for a new career with pride and confidence.
The school offers hands-on education and an internship in a modern facility that prepares students for immediate job placement.
Contact Information
- Address: 110 Civic Center Dr., Suite 102, Vista, CA 92084
- Phone: (760) 691 – 1933
- Website: https://blog.dentalassistantsandiego.com
4Santa Clarita School of Dental Assisting
About the School
Santa Clarita School of Dental Assisting helps students become dental assistants in just 12 weeks by attending classes only two nights per week.
Classes are kept small so each student can receive the attention they need.
Students have the opportunity to earn the following certifications:
- CPR Certification- the State of California requires dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants to receive certification for basic life support (BLS) and (CPR)
- Coronal Polishing- a non-invasive dental procedure used to remove stains, plaque, and calculus from the surface of teeth
- X-Ray License- students learn how to handle dental X-rays safely
- PIT & Fissure Sealants- preventive dental treatments that prevent chewing surfaces of molars and premolars from tooth decay
- Infection Control- dental assistants are responsible for setting up and disinfecting areas before and after patient appointments.
Contact Information
- Address: 27450 Tourney Rd #250, Valencia, CA 91355
- Phone: 661-799-9562
- Website: https://startyourcareertoday.com
5Lincoln Dental Assisting Academy
About the School
Lincoln Dental Assisting Academy prepares students for a career as dental assistants in only ten weeks.
Trainees receive a detailed education in modern dental assisting practices, complete with hands-on training from practicing dental professionals in real dental practices.
The career programs are mostly hands-on, chair-side instruction.
Students assist a licensed dentist one-on-one while they perform various dental procedures on real patients.
Clinical practice is performed on other students and real patients under the supervision of school instructors.
Students learn to take digital radiographs on state-of-the-art X-ray machines as well as with traditional film.
The school helps students get a job in a dental office at the end of the program.
Contact Information
- Address:831 Sterling Pkwy, Suite 110 Lincoln, CA 95648
- Phone:(279) 243-0059
- Website: https://lincolndentalassistingacademy.com
6Dental Assistant School of Temecula
About the School
Dental Assistant School of Temecula offers a dental assistant program designed to meet the challenges faced by students who also have to work.
The curriculum is an instructional program provided during a 13-week dental assisting course.
The course consists of 96 hours of lecture and lab, as well as a 48-hour externship with a practicing dentist.
The program uses a hands-on educational approach where students learn by doing.
The course includes lectures on the fundamentals of general dentistry and the basic skills, knowledge, and technical proficiency necessary to assist dentists in the procedures performed in a dental clinic.
Students who complete the program are ready for procedures such as:
- Passing instruments and supplies to the dentists
- Preparing materials
- Removing sutures
- Preparing dental charts
- Applying topical anesthetics
- Applying bleaching agents and fissure sealants
- Taking and developing dental X-rays
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 27450 Ynez Rd STE 204, Temecula, CA 92591
- Phone: 951-695-6269
- Website: https://www.dentalassistanttemecula.com
7OC Dental Academy
About the School
OC Dental Academy helps students start a dental career in just ten weeks.
The school’s instructors have more than 40 years of experience in the dental field.
They offer detailed and informative courses that teach students everything they need to know about dental assisting.
The school provides hands-on training that prepares students for real-world situations.
Courses Offered
The dental assisting course includes a 40-hour internship.
Students attend classes on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
They are trained in the following areas:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting
- Dental Anatomy and Physiology
- Disease Transmission
- Surface Disinfection and Treatment Room Preparation
- Instrument Processing
- The Dental Patient
- Preventive Dentistry
- Restorative Procedures
- Periodontics
- Oral Surgery
- Orthodontics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 30162 Tomas, Suite 202, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
- Phone: (949) 866-4580
- Website: https://www.ocdentalacademy.com
8The Valley School of Dental Assisting
About The School
The Valley School of Dental Assisting offers a variety of courses and certifications to prepare students for a career in the dental field.
The Valley programs prepare students for entry-level jobs in the dental field, including the basics, six essential certifications, hands-on experience, resume development, and job placement assistance.
Board-approved certification courses are available in:
- X-Ray
- Coronal Polishing
- Sealants
- Infection Control
- Registered Dental Assistant course
- Dental Patient Act
- And more
Costs vary depending on the course.
The Dental Assistant courses require a $1,500 deposit.
The X-Ray Certification costs $500
The Coronal Polishing course costs $450.
Contact Information
- Address: 16500 Ventura Blvd. Suite #315/405, Encino, CA 91436
- Phone:(818) 995-1500
- Website: https://www.valleydentalassisting.com
9American Dental & Medical Institute
About The School
American Dental & Medical Institute offers dental assistant training with CPR classes included.
Students may get certified in just four weekends by attending the Dental Assisting Certificate program.
This program costs $2,500.
Students receive five Dental Board Approved Certificates.
Courses Offered
The following courses are also available at the institute:
- California Dental Practice Act- $29
- Four-Weekend Dental Assisting- $500
- 8-hour Infection Control- $275
- Radiation Safety (X-Ray)- $579
- 2-hour infection Control- $29
- Pit and Fissure Sealants- $375
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 988 E Washington Blvd. Pasadena CA 91104
- Phone: (626) 345-0005
- Website: https://adminstitute.com
10Kingsburg School of Dental Assisting
About the School
Kingsburg School of Dental Assisting offers a Dental Assisting course available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Students attend classes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for six weeks.
The school also offers a 32-hour Radiation Safety course that consists of eight hours of lectures, 12 hours of lab, and 12 hours of performing X-rays on patients.
A Coronal Polishing 12-hour course approved by the Board is also available and combines four hours of lectures with four hours of lab and four hours of clinical training.
Kingsburg School of Dental Assisting also provides an eight-hour Infection Control Course and a 16-hour Pit & Fissure Sealant course.
Classes are taught by a real dentist and give students the opportunity to be in a real-world dental office and learn through hands-on training.
Contact Information
- Address: 1518 Draper St, Kingsburg, CA 93631
- Phone: (559) 897-4111 | (559) 917-1763 | (559) 472-6850
- Website: https://www.kingsburgdentalassisting.com
Regional Salary in California
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA | 930 | $48,460 | $23.3 | $63,140 | $37,810 |
| Chico, CA | 250 | $51,160 | $24.6 | $62,780 | $37,280 |
| El Centro, CA | 130 | $55,280 | $26.58 | $78,730 | $37,800 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,180 | $49,770 | $23.93 | $60,320 | $36,540 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 210 | $54,270 | $26.09 | $78,730 | $37,620 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 22,080 | $47,390 | $22.78 | $58,030 | $37,430 |
| Madera, CA | 160 | $52,420 | $25.2 | $74,280 | $37,230 |
| Merced, CA | 210 | $51,340 | $24.68 | $61,810 | $37,060 |
| Modesto, CA | 800 | $50,600 | $24.33 | $63,400 | $35,810 |
| Napa, CA | 200 | $57,430 | $27.61 | $73,830 | $44,850 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 750 | $51,360 | $24.69 | $61,030 | $39,560 |
| Redding, CA | 220 | $51,190 | $24.61 | $63,910 | $37,220 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 5,770 | $48,190 | $23.17 | $58,090 | $38,210 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | 3,110 | $57,600 | $27.69 | $74,460 | $44,570 |
| Salinas, CA | 570 | $55,120 | $26.5 | $72,290 | $39,590 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 3,840 | $50,980 | $24.51 | $61,250 | $38,030 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 7,600 | $62,000 | $29.81 | $76,110 | $39,690 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 3,240 | $66,640 | $32.04 | $78,040 | $47,700 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | 400 | $53,010 | $25.49 | $66,100 | $39,000 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 370 | $50,760 | $24.4 | $62,000 | $44,700 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 520 | $56,580 | $27.2 | $70,830 | $44,240 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | 720 | $62,680 | $30.13 | $74,790 | $46,710 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 760 | $52,520 | $25.25 | $72,870 | $39,870 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | 470 | $60,120 | $28.91 | $73,040 | $47,540 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | 480 | $50,350 | $24.21 | $61,130 | $36,670 |
| Yuba City, CA | 260 | $49,460 | $23.78 | $61,000 | $36,490 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
California offers plenty of training options for those who want to become dental assistants.
Now that you have read our selection of ten of the top schools in this sector, we encourage you to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your lifestyle and career aspirations.
