Trade Schools
If you want to spend your workday assisting in dental procedures, performing X-rays, and interacting with patients, the dental assistant profession is worth considering.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by dental assistants in Colorado was $50,940 as of May 2023-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.
Although there are no formal educational requirements for dental assistants in Colorado, completing a post-secondary training program is a great way to learn the skills needed for this profession.
The state also mentions that it is the responsibility of the supervising dentist to ensure that dental personnel who administer and/or monitor nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation are appropriately trained.
To help you choose the program and the format that works best for you, on this page, we have compiled information about the best dental assistant schools in Colorado.
1Colorado Dental Assisting School
About the School
Colorado Dental Assisting School offers a course that helps students get their Dental Assisting Certification in just ten weeks.
The school offers dental assistant classes on weeknights and Saturdays to accommodate any schedule.
Full tuition for this program is $3,295-$3,995.
The price includes:
- Textbooks
- Training and dental supplies needed for the course
- CPR and dental radiology certifications
- A set of professional scrubs
- Teeth whitening kit
- Access to practicing on state-of-the-art equipment in a working dental office
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 3095 S Parker Rd #150, Aurora, CO 80014
- Phone: 719-484-8489
- Website: https://coloradodentalassistingschool.com
2Denver Dental Assistant School
About the School
Denver Dental Assistant School offers a dental assistant course that can be completed in only 12 weeks.
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 to help students graduate debt-free.
The hybrid learning program includes in-person labs that are held 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.
This class takes place in a real dental office in Denver.
Tuition is $2,950 if paid in full.
Contact Information
- Address: 5420 S. Quebec Street, Ste. 203, Greenwood Village, CO 801111
- Phone: (720) 902-7292
- Website: https://denverdentalassistant.com
3Dental Assistant School of Colorado
About the School
Dental Assistant School of Colorado helps students become dental assistants in just 13 weeks.
Students prepare to assist with lab work, dental procedures, as well as office duties.
After graduation, students may find employment anywhere in the United States.
Classes are held on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to allow students to accommodate their schedules with their training.
Small class sizes allow each student to receive individualized attention.
The unique hands-on experiences included in the program prepare students for a career in dental assisting.
Students learn the skills to get a job immediately after they graduate.
Contact Information
- Address: 3214 W Eisenhower Blvd, Suite B, Loveland, CO 80537
- Phone: (970) 372-4252
- Website: http://dentalassistantfortcollins.com
4Academy for Dental Assisting Careers
About the School
Academy for Dental Assisting Careers offers a dental assisting course that can be completed in just eight weeks.
The school has two practicing instructors and smaller class sizes to ensure personalized attention, enhancing learning outcomes and preparing students for their future careers in dental health.
The program has a hands-on training approach, combined with state-of-the-art facilities to provide an immersive learning experience.
Graduates can get a recommendation letter.
The hybrid online course is complemented by hands-on training.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or GED, and complete an application form.
Courses Offered
The following Certifications are available:
- Certificate in Dental Assisting
- Certificate in Dental Radiology
- The curriculum covers topics such as:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting
- Dental Anatomy
- Disease Transmission
- Instrument Processing
- Radiation Safety
- Oral Radiography
- Dental Instruments
- Restorative Procedures
- Pain and Anxiety Control
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2011 Ken Pratt Blvd., Ste #200 Longmont, CO 80501
- Phone: 303-774-8100
- Website: https://www.academyfordentalassistingcareers.com
5Pima Medical Institute
About the School
Pima Medical Institute has a campus that serves the Denver area since 1988.
The campus offers seven certificate programs, five associate degree programs, and the Expanded Duties Dental Assistant course.
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.
The program provides hands-on, real-world training plus the communication, administrative, and assisting skills needed to work in this position.
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: 13750 E. Mississippi Ave, Aurora, CO 80012
- Phone: 800-477-PIMA
- Website: https://pmi.edu
6Vail Valley Dental Assisting School
About the School
Vail Valley Dental Assisting School helps students start a new career in just 13 weeks.
The school offers night classes to allow students to keep their day jobs.
The course is hands-on to ensure students receive the most comprehensive training available.
Small classes allow students to receive personalized education.
Students attend classes six hours a week.
The program includes 81 hours of lecture and lab and 50 hours of externship in a dental practice.
Students are ready to get hired immediately after graduation.
Contact Information
- Address: 56 Market St., Suite 5 Eagle, CO 81631
- Phone: (970) 736-7120
- Website: https://www.daschools.com/vail-valley
7Southern Colorado Dental Academy
About the School
Southern Colorado Dental Academy offers programs for students who want to become Certified Dental Assistants and for those who want to expand their careers and become expanded functions dental assistants.
Students have access to expert instructors, in-depth learning, and hands-on experience.
Expanded Functions Dental Assistants receive additional training and are legally permitted to provide certain intraoral procedures beyond the task of the general chairside dental assistant.
The comprehensive training program includes active exercises to give students practical experience.
The curriculum includes a thorough exploration of dental anatomy, terminology, dental procedures, and radiography.
It also provides instruction and hands-on training with patient care techniques, infection control, and dental office management.
Graduates receive the Radiation Health and Safety Practice and BLS certification required to apply for dental assisting positions.
Contact Information
- Address: 15425 Smile View, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
- Phone: (719) 644-3993
- Website: https://www.socodentalacademy.com
8InteliTec College
InteliTec College has campuses in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Pueblo.
The college offers a Dental Assistant program that can be completed in 10.5 months.
The program is available in Grand Junction.
The program leads to a Certificate and awards 54 credit hours.
Courses Offered
Students learn the following skills:
- Chairside assisting including patient positioning, instrument usage, and anesthetics
- Office administration including billing and coding, dental charting, and management software
- Specialized applications such as periodontics, implants, and pharmacology
- Recognition of dental materials such as composites, amalgam, and bases and liners
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 772 Horizon Drive, Grand Junction, CO 81506
- Phone: (970) 245-8101
- Website: https://intellitec.edu
9Pickens Technical College
About the School
Pickens Technical College prepares students for post-secondary and workforce readiness.
The programs are jointly approved by the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System and by the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education.
The Dental Assisting program prepares students to provide patient care, take X-rays, keep records, schedule appointments, and assist dentists in treatments.
The program also focuses on effective communication, critical thinking, information and technology literacy, quantitative reasoning, and more.
Students must be age 18 before enrolling.
Simulated clinical situations are practiced before the actual clinical assignments.
Clinical assignments include work in a variety of private dental offices and clinics.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Principles of Clinical Practice
- Specialties in Dentistry
- Dental Science
- Infection Control
- Advanced Dental Radiography
- Clinical Internship
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 500 Airport Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011, United States
- Phone: Registration: 303-344-4910 ext.27797
- Website: https://www.pickenstech.org
10Emily Griffith Technical College
About the School
Emily Griffith Technical College offers a Dental Assisting program that can be completed in six months by full-time students.
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older and pass a criminal background check.
Dental assistants work directly with patients and assist dentists with procedures, as well as performing a variety of laboratory procedures.
The program uses a classroom teaching environment and a 300-hour clinical internship in a real dental environment to help students develop skills in conducting chair-side procedures, radiology and X-rays, patient education, and more.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Dental Terminology
- Infection Control
- Dental Materials
- Dental Radiography
- Dental Science
- Advanced Dental Radiography
- Specialties in Dentistry
- And more
Contact Information
- Address:1860 Lincoln St., Denver, CO 80203
- Phone: 720-423-4700
- Website: https://www.emilygriffith.edu
Regional Salary in Colorado
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | 400 | $49,510 | $23.8 | $59,810 | $38,300 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 1,230 | $47,890 | $23.02 | $59,790 | $36,070 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | 3,240 | $54,460 | $26.18 | $63,760 | $38,670 |
| Fort Collins, CO | 440 | $47,820 | $22.99 | $60,020 | $36,960 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 230 | $45,310 | $21.78 | $55,950 | $34,600 |
| Greeley, CO | 270 | $45,110 | $21.69 | $56,280 | $34,900 |
| Pueblo, CO | 230 | $43,680 | $21 | $56,310 | $34,610 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best dental assisting schools in Colorado, the next step is to decide if this profession is right for you and choose the school that will teach you the skills needed for employment in this profession.
This is an important step, so make sure you gather information about all the factors that are relevant to you before deciding where to enroll.
