If you live in Connecticut and want to start a career in the field of dental assisting, this page is for you.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for Connecticut dental assistants was $49,590 as of May 2023.
Dental assistant students learn how to perform duties such as:
- Assisting during procedures
- Maintaining patient records
- Managing patient charts
- Ordering and managing supplies
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Scheduling and booking appointments
- And more
Before being ready to complete dental assisting tasks, students must pass a dental assisting program.
In order to take X-rays, dental assistants must pass the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety exam.
1Professional Dental Assistant School, LLC
Professional Dental Assistant School, LLC helps students become dental assistants in just eight weeks.
The program is taught by an experienced dentist.
Courses Offered
Students learn how to perform tasks such as:
- Assisting during procedures
- Maintaining patient records
- Managing patient charts
- Ordering and managing supplies
- Scheduling and booking appointments
- Collecting fees and accounting
- And more
The program includes clinical training with live dental patients.
Graduates receive a dental assistant certificate.
Contact Information
- Address: 606 West Ave, Norwalk, CT 06850
- Phone: (203) 939 9200
- Website: https://dentalassistantschoolct.com
2LABCO School of Dental Assisting
About the School
LABCO School of Dental Assisting offers a dental assistant program that offers students the chance to get real-world experience.
Students may complete their training in just 15 Saturdays.
Graduates are prepared for work anywhere in the United States.
At the end of the program, students are prepared to take the DANB X-Ray Radiation Health and Safety exam, necessary to legally take X-rays in Connecticut.
The school’s staff and instructor have over 40 years of experience.
Courses Offered
Students learn how to:
- Assist the dentist during a variety of treatment procedures
- Take and develop dental radiographs
- Serving as an infection control officer
- Developing infection control protocol
- Helping patients feel comfortable
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 140 Monroe Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611
- Phone: 475-299-9696
- Website: https://www.labcoct.com
3New England Teaching Institute
About the School
New England Teaching Institute helps students start new careers in just eight weeks.
The program is designed to give students the basic foundational knowledge and dental assisting skills to help students start their new careers.
The curriculum focuses on exposing students to a wide range of techniques, materials, and dental knowledge and the vital skills a dental assistant uses in everyday practice.
New England Teaching Institute is approved by the State of CT Office of Higher Education.
Classes are a combination of lecture and clinical practice, with actual hands-on training, in an 1800-square-foot operating dental office.
Classes are limited to 12 students.
Students learn how to:
- Act as a liaison between the dentist and the patient
- Maintaining proper patient treatment records
- Ensuring all OSHA policies and procedures are followed
- Informing patients of their pre-and post-operative instructions, as designated by the dentist
- Maintaining communication with the dentist
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 323A Universal Drive, North Haven, CT 06473
- Phone: (203) 939-2045
- Website: https://newenglandteachinginstitute.com
4American Institute
American Institute provides Innovative Career Education in business, legal, allied healthcare, diagnostic medical sonography, and information technology.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assisting program at American Institute is designed to offer students extensive training that allows them to develop the skills needed to perform a variety of dental office procedures and laboratory techniques.
The program also covers the knowledge associated with medical and dental terminology, anatomy & physiology, such as head and neck anatomy, dental law and ethics, and patient rights.
The program is offered in a hybrid format and combines distance education and on-campus classes.
Students prepare for tasks such as:
- Working with patients to make them comfortable in the dental chair
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Preparing the work area for patient treatment
- Helping dentists by handling instruments during procedures
- Instructing patients in proper dental hygiene
- Keeping records of dental treatments
- Scheduling patient appointments
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 99 South Street, West Hartford, CT 06110
- Phone: 888-387-5260
- Website: https://www.americaninstitute.edu
5Porter and Chester Institute
Porter and Chester Institute offers career education and training at its Hamden campus.
The programs are designed to give students the technical skills needed to become valuable employees in today’s competitive workforce.
The institute provides hybrid, online, and on-campus learning models in industry-modeled programs that offer students’ flexibility to fit their education around their life schedule.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assisting program prepares students for a new career as dental assistants in as few as 10 months.
The program is available in a blended format:
- Online lectures
- Labs on campus
The program is offered in Bridgeport, Hamden, New London, Waterbury, Brockton, Chicopee, and Worcester.
Graduates earn a diploma.
The Dental Assisting labs feature the same equipment and technology students will find in dental offices and clinics.
Students learn how to assist dentists in a dental operatory, take radiographs, mix dental materials, exercise proper infection control and sterilization, use model trimmers, take vital signs, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 156 Boston Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06610
- Phone: (475) 273-2400
- Website: https://porterchester.edu
6Penn Foster
Dental assisting programs are also available online, at schools located in other states.
Penn Foster Career School offers an online Dental Assistant program that prepares students to take the first steps on their dental assistant paths.
The program prepares students for the Radiation Health and Safety exam and the Infection Control exam from the Dental Assisting National Board.
Students learn foundational skills in dental procedures, dental medications, and more.
The online programs are flexible enough to allow students to finish the coursework at a pace that works for them.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Dental Terminology, Anatomy, and Charting
- Preventive Dentistry and Ethics
- Dental Medications and Materials
- Dental Specialties
- Dental Finish Office
The program can be completed in three months by students in the fast track program and is completed in seven months on average.
This program costs $799 if paid in full.
Contact Information
- Address:200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505 USA
- Phone:800-275-4410
- Website: https://www.pennfoster.edu
7U.S. Career Institute
U.S. Career Institute offers classes that are available fully online and allow students to learn at any time, any place.
The self-paced program can be completed in 5 to 10 months.
The program costs $1,239 if paid in full.
The program is designed to prepare students for the nationally recognized Registered Dental Assistant exam administered by the American Medical Technologists.
Courses Offered
The program is broken down into 5 units:
- Introduction to the Dental Assisting Career
- Operatory Fundamentals Instruction
- Advanced Assisting Skills: Part 1
- Advanced Assisting Skills: Part 2
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Preventive Dentistry and Nutrition
- Dental examinations
- Front Office Procedures
- Orthodontics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Radiology
- Periodontics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address:2001 Lowe Street, Fort Collins, CO
- Phone: 866-250-6851
- Website: https://www.uscareerinstitute.edu
8Dental Assistant School of Atlanta
About the School
Dental Assistant School of Atlanta helps students become dental assistants in just 13 weeks.
The program consists of lectures and labs.
Students prepare to become Certified Dental Assistants.
The program includes 78 hours of lecture and lab plus 75 hours of internship with a dental office.
The program is available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats.
The online program gives students access for up to six months to complete the course, and includes:
- easy-to-follow modules
- hands-on lab assignments
- lab kit with materials
- certificate of completion
Contact Information
- Address: 1690 Stone Village Lane, Suite 421, Kennesaw, GA 30152
- Phone: (770) 299-4877
- Website: https://dentalassistantatlanta.com
9Borough of Manhattan Community College
About the School
Borough of Manhattan Community College offers a dental assisting program designed to provide students with real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants.
This course is available fully online and helps students gain the technical skills they need in order to join a dental office as clinical dental assistants.
The coursework covers essential information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care, radiology, pharmacology, employment strategies, and much more.
Students get to explore the basics of maintaining computerized clinical dental records using Dentrix Practice Management software.
There are no prerequisites to complete this course, but candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to sit for national certification exams.
The curriculum includes The Dental Profession, Basic Dental Sciences, Dental Anatomy, Oral Pathology, Infection Control, Emergency Management, Oral Health and Nutrition, Introduction to Chairside Assisting, Anesthesia and Sedation, and many other topics.
Contact Information
- Address: 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007
- Phone: (212) 220-8000
- Website: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu
1090 Day Dental Assistant
About the School
90-Day Dental Assistant offers a flexible, affordable, and convenient way to start a dental career.
The course is fully online and allows you to learn at your own pace.
Students learn about Patient Care, X-rays, Dental Impressions, Dental Charting, Chairside Assisting, and Sterilization.
The course costs $500 in one easy payment and includes:
- Immediate access to the course
- Self-paced learning
- Comprehensive learning materials
- RHS exam prep materials
- Digital certification after completion and final installment.
A two-payment option of $325 is also available.
Contact Information
- Phone: 480-516-8068
- Website: https://90dayda.com
Regional Salary in Connecticut
Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 960 | $50,690 | $24.37 | $59,950 | $37,230 |
Danbury, CT | 230 | $48,300 | $23.22 | $61,630 | $35,150 |
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 1,370 | $49,510 | $23.81 | $62,450 | $36,030 |
New Haven, CT | 560 | $48,640 | $23.38 | $60,550 | $35,320 |
Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI | 290 | $48,570 | $23.35 | $60,880 | $34,720 |
Waterbury, CT | 150 | $50,090 | $24.08 | $60,350 | $35,140 |
* 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 Connecticut, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your schedule and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and make an informed decision.