Trade Schools
If you want to start a rewarding career in the dental assisting field, this page is for you.
Dental assistants perform a variety of duties in a dental office, including:
- Ensuring that patients feel comfortable
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Handing instruments to dentists
- Using suction hoses
- Instructing patients in proper oral hygiene
- Keeping records of treatments
- Scheduling appointments
- And more
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by Idaho dental assistants was $40,200 as of May 2023.
The same agency reports that this profession will grow 8 percent by 2033, resulting in 54,900 new job openings across the United States.
If you want to prepare for a rewarding career in healthcare, our selection of the best dental assistant schools in Idaho is worth exploring.
Costs and program duration vary depending on the school, the credential, and the program duration.
We invite you to explore our list and see what Idaho has to offer.
1Idaho Dental Assisting Academy
About the School
Idaho Dental Assisting Academy provides dental assistant training to students who want to enter the dental field as trained dental assistants.
The school offers a fast-track dental assistant training program that includes onsite dental office training in a shorter time and at a lower cost.
The flexible course is designed to be completed in 10 weeks.
The classes are kept small to allow for more instructor-to-student time.
A larger percentage of students’ overall final grade is based on the clinical evaluations.
The program includes Ortho and Pediatric specialty training.
Contact Information
- Address: Idaho Pediatric Dentistry, 4401 E Flamingo Ave, Nampa, ID 83687
- Phone: 208-318-8187
- Website: https://www.idahodentalassistingacademy.com
2Assist to Succeed
About the School
Assist to Succeed helps students begin careers as dental assistants in as few as ten weeks.
Students gain practical experience by working directly with patients and dental professionals.
The program prepares learners for tasks such as:
- Assisting the dentist during procedures
- Preparing patients for treatments
- Taking dental x-rays
- Managing patient records
- Sterilizing and organizing dental instruments
- Providing patient education on oral health.
Students are trained in all aspects of General Dental assisting, including introduction to dental specialties.
All students who have attained an 85% or above grade average receive a Certificate in Dental Assisting and a letter of recommendation upon request.
The course includes lectures as well as clinical “hands-on” training.
Contact Information
- Address: 4274 North Eagle Road, Boise, ID 83713
- Phone: (208) 938-8228
- Website: https://www.assisttosucceedboise.com
3College of Western Idaho
About the School
The College of Western Idaho prepares students for careers in dental health.
The Dental Assistant program available at the college leads to an Intermediate Technical Certificate or an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Students engage in competency-based classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction, in collaboration with local dental offices.
After completing the program students are eligible for the National Dental Assisting Certification Exam and earn the title of Certified Dental Assistant.
The program costs between $5,188-$9,080, depending on the chosen credential.
Students need between one and two years to complete the program.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
The following credential options are available:
- Dental Assisting- Associate of Applied Science Degree
- Dental Assisting- Intermediate Technical Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 3010, Nampa, ID 83653
- Phone: 208.562.3000
- Website: https://cwi.edu
4North Idaho College
About the School
North Idaho College offers a Dental Assistant program available in person and through an apprenticeship.
The in-person program prepares students with the skills to enter the dental assisting profession through a competency-based learning approach.
The course is for students at Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene campuses who have little to no background working in a dental practice.
The program prepares students for the American Medical Technologists registered dental assistant certification exam and leads to an externship at area dental clinics.
Classes meet every Tuesday and Thursday.
Students also attend lab work occasionally on Fridays.
Funding options are available.
Contact Information
- Address:525 Clearwater Loop, Post Falls, ID 83854
- Phone: (208) 769-3333
- Website: https://www.nic.edu
5College of Eastern Idaho
About the School
The College of Eastern Idaho offers a Dental Assisting program that is aligned with Idaho State Board of Dentistry standards.
The curriculum covers a wide spectrum of skills from front office management to chairside procedure.
Students delve into hands-on learning encompassing patient care, infection control, radiology, and beyond.
The program also includes supervised externships and clinic opportunities to provide students with real-world experience.
The hands-on training part includes:
- Eight weeks of CEI clinic experience
- Eight weeks internship in local dental offices
The student-to-teacher ratio is 16 to 1.
Courses Offered
Students learn how to:
- Assist dentists chairside
- Provide direct patient care
- Administer front office tasks
- Perform digital imaging and X-rays
- Collect dental impressions
- Prepare and sterilize equipment
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1600 S 25th E, Idaho Falls, ID 83404
- Phone: (208) 524-3000
- Website: https://cei.edu
6North Idaho Dental Personnel
About the School
North Idaho Dental Personnel offers a Dental Assisting training program that focuses on a hands-on learning approach with minimal classroom and maximization of learning in an actual dental office.
Classes are held one day per week for 10 consecutive weeks.
After completing the program, students receive a certificate of completion in dental assisting.
Students also receive a CPR certificate and an Idaho Radiation Safety Certificate.
The program provides a textbook, backpack, and safety glasses.
Contact Information
- Address: 118 W Neider Ave. Ste B, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
- Phone: 208-770-9682
- Website: https://www.northidahodentalpersonnel.com
7Carrington College
About the School
Carrington College offers career training at its Boise campus.
Medical and Dental programs are available.
Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
Courses Offered
The college provides a Dental Assisting program that equips students with the skills to prepare for a career as the face of a dental practice.
Blended program options are available with online lectures and on-ground labs.
The curriculum covers:
- Preventive Dentistry & Dental Science
- Dental Office Protocols
- Dental Assisting Procedures
This program may take up to two years to complete, depending on the credentials it leads to.
The following options are available: certificate, diploma, or degree.
A certificate can be earned in as little as nine months.
Contact Information
- Address: 1299 North Orchard Street, Boise, ID 83706
- Phone: (208) 779-3100
- Website: https://carrington.edu
8North Idaho College
North Idaho College has a workforce training center designed to meet the ever-evolving training needs of the region’s workforce.
The classes are open to the public, generally without pre-admission, academic, or residential requirements.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assisting program available at the college is provided in person and prepares students for the American Medical Technologist Registered Dental Assistant certification exam.
The program has a competency-based approach.
Applicants need a high school diploma or GED to take this exam.
The program costs $3,845 and includes 43 sessions.
Contact Information
- Address: 525 Clearwater Loop, Post Falls, ID 83854
- Phone: (208) 769-3333
- Website: https://www.nic.edu
9Kootenai Technical Education Campus
Kootenai Technical Education Campus is a partnership between business and industry leaders, local school districts, and local manufacturers.
The campus provides tuition-free industry and business-grade training for 11th and 12th-grade students.
Available are dual enrollment credits, industrial certifications, and a new route to success.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assistant program is a one-year program available on industry standards associated with the dental assistant field.
The courses are available for in-person students at the NIC workforce training center at the Post Falls campus who have little to no background working in a dental practice.
Classes meet in person every Monday from 8 to 10:30, Tuesday 9-10:30, and Wednesday from 8 to 10:30.
On Thursdays and Fridays, students are required to work on their job shadows and externships.
Students must complete 20 hours of job shadowing in the fall semester and attend 75 hours of externship in the spring semester.
Contact Information
- Address: 6838 W. Lancaster Rd. Rathdrum, ID 83858
- Phone: (208) 712-4733
- Website: https://www.ktectraining.org
10College of Southern Idaho
The College of Southern Idaho helps students earn a degree or college credit.
The college also offers the option of earning college credits while still in high school.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assistant program at the College of Southern Idaho offers courses for skilled persons who want to enter into the healthcare environment as an assistant in a dental office.
The program leads to a Dental Assistant Intermediate Technical Certificate.
Applicants need an unofficial high school transcript or GED/HSE and all unofficial college transcripts.
Students need 51 credit hours in total for this major.
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Medical Terminology
- Fundamentals of Nutrition
- Dental Anatomy & Terminology
- Infection Control
- Dental Radiology
- Medical Emergency
- Dental Materials
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 315 Falls Ave, PO Box 1238, Twin Falls, ID 83303
- Phone: 800-680-0274
- Website: https://www.csi.edu
Regional Salary in Idaho
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise City, ID | 1,130 | $42,550 | $20.46 | $58,700 | $35,810 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 310 | $40,350 | $19.4 | $50,290 | $31,200 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | 410 | $37,020 | $17.8 | $45,950 | $29,840 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | 100 | $42,620 | $20.49 | $49,440 | $36,780 |
| Pocatello, ID | 190 | $37,550 | $18.05 | $46,280 | $29,610 |
| Twin Falls, ID | 240 | $38,550 | $18.53 | $47,590 | $30,950 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to prepare for a rewarding career in the dental field, our selection of the best dental assistant schools in Idaho can be a great starting point toward your dream career.
Now that you have read our selection, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best fits your schedule, budget, and learning style.
