Trade Schools
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the dental assistant profession will grow 8 percent by 2033, resulting in 54,900 new job openings across the United States.
The same agency reports that the mean annual wage reported by dental assistants in Maine was $48,760 as of May 2023.
Dental assistants perform a variety of duties in a dental office, under the supervision of a dentist, and many schools offer programs designed to teach you the skills needed for entry-level employment.
If you want to prepare for a rewarding career in healthcare, our selection of the best dental assistant schools in Maine is worth exploring.
Program duration varies from a few weeks to one year or more, depending on the credential it leads to.
Costs also vary depending on the school, the credential, and the program duration.
1New England School of Dental Assisting
About the School
New England School of Dental Assisting offers a Dental Assistant training program that provides students with the necessary hands-on and patient care skills to start a career as dental assistants.
The school provides students with real-world clinical experience and one-on-one hands-on learning.
Classes are kept small.
Courses Offered
The course is six weeks long and includes classroom, laboratory, and clinical instruction as well as externship time.
Classes are held Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The school’s goal is to offer flexible schedules to allow students to start training for a career in dental assisting, even if they have a full-time job.
Students need to be at least 18 years of age to qualify for enrollment in this program.
The school also requires a high school diploma or GED.
The course outline includes:
- Dentistry and Dental Anatomy
- Sterilizing, Disinfecting, and Caring for the Treatment Room
- Basics of Radiology
- The Basics of Four-Handed Dentistry
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 25 Stone St, Augusta, ME 04330, United States
- Phone: 207-622- 9210
- Website: https://nedentalassistants.com
2Northeast Collaborative School of Dental Assisting
About the School
The Northeast Collaborative School of Dental Assisting program has been licensed with the New Hampshire Board of Education since 2013.
The program prepares students for entry-level positions in one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions.
Students can become dental assistants in just 14 weeks.
Classes include lectures, labs, and hands-on training and are scheduled on nights or weekends to allow students to continue to work a full-time job.
Students gain hands-on training at Kingston Dental Arts and at the school’s extensive collaboration of over 100 dental offices in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
The offices include practices that specialize in general and cosmetic dentistry, pediatrics, oral surgery, and orthodontics.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Chase Street, Kingston, NH 03848
- Phone: (888) 510-3113
- Website: https://www.necsda.com
3The Dental Assistant School of Rockland, Inc
The Dental Assistant School of Rockland, Inc. offers hands-on training provided by instructors licensed by the New York state.
The school offers in-person, hands-on training on Saturdays.
The education program includes radiology, four-handed technique, chairside assisting, periodontics, front desk, cosmetic dentistry, oral anatomy, impressions, pediatrics, sterilization, restoration, and more.
The course can be completed in ten weeks and leads to a certificate that indicates students are qualified to become dental assistants.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Dental Theory and Terminology
- Receptionist- Front Desk Office Management
- Four-Handed Dental Assisting
- Radiology
- Cements and liners
- Sterilization techniques
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Crosfield Ave., Suite 301, West Nyack NY 10994
- Phone: (845) 623-0826
- Website: https://www.dasofrockland.com
4University of Maine at Augusta
About the School
The University of Maine at Augusta provides a Dental Assisting program designed for students who want a rewarding career in healthcare.
The program is currently available at the Bangor campus and Lewiston Campus.
The curriculum is designed to provide a broad educational experience in the theory and practice of dental assisting.
Students also receive a background in biological sciences and the humanities.
The program also includes a minimum of 300 hours of externship.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Human Biology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Preclinical DA lab
- Infection Control
- Dental Materials
- Clinical Practice
- Dental Office Management
- And more
Applicants need a high school diploma or a GED.
Contact Information
- Address: 46 University Drive, Augusta, Maine 04330-9488
- Phone: 1.877.UMA.1234
- Website: https://www.uma.edu
5Southern Maine Community College
About the School
Southern Maine Community College offers a Dental Assistant National Certification program.
This program provides students with the background knowledge and vocabulary needed for an entry-level position in a clinical or administrative role in a dental office.
After successfully completing the Radiation, Health, and Safety exam delivered by the Dental Assisting National Board, students will earn their national certification and have the skills, knowledge, and capabilities to perform entry-level duties in a dental practice.
To qualify for admission to this training program applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
The program can be completed in ten weeks and costs $3,200 (books included).
Contact Information
- Address: 2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine 04106
- Phone: 207-741-5500
- Website: https://www.smccme.edu
6York County Community College
About the School
York County Community College provides a Dental Assisting program that can be completed in only eight weeks.
The program teaches students everything they need in order to begin a high-demand career as dental assistants.
Courses Offered
The topics covered by this program include A History and Foundation of Dentistry, Dental Terminology, Dental Anatomy, Instrumentation and Infection Control, Dental Laboratory, Impressions & Pouring, Dental Emergencies, Radiology Review, and more.
In addition to 45 hands-on hours of in-person training, students are also expected to complete at-home study.
They learn how to:
- Ensure that patients are comfortable in the dental chair
- Prepare patients and the work area for treatment and procedures
- Sterilize dental instruments
- Instruct patients in proper oral hygiene
- Keep records of dental treatments
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 112 College Drive, Wells, ME 04090
- Phone: 207-216-4300
- Website: https://www.yccc.edu
7The Academy of Medical Professions
About the School
The Academy of Medical Professions offers a ten-week all-inclusive program designed to enable students to be job-ready for a career in dental assisting.
The program is designed to teach all the aspects of obtaining employment in the field, helping students prepare for the national dental exams, perfecting their resume, and learning how to find employment in Dental Assisting.
After completing the program, graduates have the opportunity to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board, Radiation Health and Safety.
Classes are available online and at several Maine locations.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Professional and legal aspects of dental assisting
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Dental anatomy and charting using practice management software
- Moisture control and instrument transfer
- Dental equipment, instruments, and materials
- Dental imaging
- And more
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
The program includes an optional one-day lab.
Tuition for this program is $3,200.
Online classes are held on Zoom once a week for 12 weeks.
Contact Information
- Address:18 Pleasant Street Suite 210 Brunswick, ME 04011
- Phone:866.516.8274
- Website: https://www.academyofmedicalprofessions.com
8Penn Foster
About the School
Dental assistant training programs are also available at schools and colleges located in other states and can be completed online.
One such program is the one offered by Penn Foster
The program is designed for students who pursue a career where they can help others.
The curriculum prepares students to sit for the Radiation Health and Safety exam and the Infection Control Exam.
Students learn about the foundational skills in dental procedures, dental medications, and more.
The program is available online and is flexible enough for students to complete coursework at a pace that works for them.
The curriculum includes ten courses and can be completed in three months by students in the fast-track program.
The average completion time is seven months.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assisting curriculum includes:
- Dental Terminology, Anatomy, and Charting
- Preventive Dentistry and Ethics
- Dental Medications and Materials
- Dental Specialties
- Dental Front Office
Contact Information
- Address:200 Hickory Street, Scranton, PA 18505
- Phone: 800-275-4410
- Website: https://www.pennfoster.edu
9OC Dental Academy
Another online dental assistant training program is offered by OC Dental Academy, a school with more than 40 years of experience in the dental field.
Located in California, 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 offers valuable hands-on training.
Courses Offered
The dental assisting online course includes 42 interactive modules with
- Videos and animations
- Interactive exercises
- Quizzes
- exams with instant feedback
Students are trained in the following areas:
- Overview of the Dentitions
- Oral Pathology
- Nutrition
- Chemical and Waste Management
- Medical History
- Assisting in a Medical Emergency
- Vital Signs
- Delivering Dental Care
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 30162 Tomas, Suite 202, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
- Phone: (949) 866-4580
- Website: https://www.ocdentalacademy.com
10Borough of Manhattan Community College
About the School
Among many other career paths, 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
Regional Salary in Maine
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor, ME | 160 | $48,430 | $23.29 | $57,140 | $39,550 |
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 110 | $50,170 | $24.12 | $61,100 | $39,290 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 530 | $50,450 | $24.25 | $59,570 | $39,490 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you live in Maine and you want to start a rewarding career in the dental field, you can get started by completing dental assistant training at schools located in your state or online.
Now that you have read our selection of the best dental assistant schools in your state, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your learning style, budget, schedule, and career aspirations.
