Trade Schools
Mississippi provides plenty of training opportunities for students who want to prepare for rewarding careers as dental assistants.
With an expected growth rate of 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, this profession will continue to be in demand in the future as dental practices grow.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by dental assistants in Mississippi was $37,610 as of May 2023.
To help you prepare for entry-level employment in this profession, on this page, we have compiled information about the best trade schools and community colleges that offer training for this career path.
The programs included in our selection may lead to Certificates, Diplomas, or Associate in Applied Science Degrees, and program duration and cost vary depending on the credential you are targeting.
The curriculum typically combines classroom and hands-on education to help develop skills such as:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting and Dental Terminology
- Dental Specialties
- Materials & Procedures
- Patient Care & Mangement
- Diagnostic & Orthodontics
- Dental Radiology
1Pearl River Community College
About the School
Pearl River Community College offers a Dental Assisting program available at the college’s Forrest County campus.
This 12-month course begins in the Fall and ends in the Summer.
Two degree options are available: Technical Degree or Associate of Applied Science.
The Dental Assisting National Board exam will be taken in three parts:
- Infection Control
- Radiology
- General Chairside
Students who pass all the exams and complete the coursework with a “C” average become Certified Dental Assistants.
The program has the following goals:
- Provide a firm foundation in Dental science, procedures, materials, instrumentation, and communication using the latest technology
- Prepare students for the Dental Assisting National Board exams and receive certification
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 101 Highway 11 North, Poplarville, MS 39470
- Phone: 601.403.1000
- Website: https://prcc.edu
2Accelerated Academy
The Accelerated Academy offers a Dental program in Richland, Mississippi.
Weekly classes start on Saturdays at 8 a.m.
After completing this program, students meet all the requirements needed to work within their state:
- Certificate in Dental Assisting
- CPR Certificate
- Dental Radiology Permit
Students are job-ready in only ten weeks.
Tuition is $3,379 for early registration and $3,779 for final registration.
Courses Offered
The program includes classes such as:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting, Sterilization, and CPR/BLS
- Radiology
- Impressions
- Four-handed Dentistry, fillings, and X-ray exam
- Crown and Bridge
- Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics, and Pedodontics
- Oral Surgery Implants, Parials, and Dentures
- Office Management, OSHA, State Guidelines, Seating a Patient, and Charting
- And more
Applicants must be 17 years or older to qualify for admission into this program.
Contact Information
- Address:125 W Harper St, Richland, MS 39218, United States
- Phone: 866-805-3785
- Website: https://www.acceleratedacademy.us
3Meridian Community College
About the School
Meridian Community College offers a one-year certificate program designed to prepare students for employment and advancement in the Dental Assisting field.
The program includes lectures, lab hours, and supervised clinical experiences.
During the clinical experience part, students assist a dentist at chairside in private offices, clinics, and state facilities.
Graduates are awarded a certificate of completion and are able to apply for the Mississippi radiology permit, which is necessary to administer dental radiographs or digital images in Mississippi.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the program:
- Public Speaking
- Dental Assisting Materials
- Dental Science
- Dental Radiology
- Chairside Assisting
- Clinical Experience
- Dental Health Education
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 910 Highway 19 North | Meridian, MS 39307
- Phone: 601.483.8241
- Website: https://meridiancc.edu
4Hinds Community College
About the School
Hinds Community College offers a Dental Assisting Technology program that prepares students for the national certification exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board.
The twelve months of training prepare students to assist the dentist chairside, perform minor lab procedures, expose and develop radiographs, manage the front office, and a variety of other skills.
The following degrees and certificates are available:
- Associate of Applied Science
- Technical Certificate
Hinds Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees.
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 1100, Raymond, MS 39154
- Phone: 800-HINDSCC
- Website: https://www.hindscc.edu
5Concorde Career College
Concorde Career College helps students prepare for new careers in a variety of in-demand fields.
The curriculum includes an externship to allow students to gain real-world experience.
Students may complete a diploma in as few as nine months or an associate of applied science in as few as 17 months.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the program’s curriculum:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting and Dental Terminology
- Dental Specialties
- Materials & Procedures
- Patient Care & Mangement
- Diagnostic & Orthodontics
- Dental Radiology
Contact Information
- Address: 7900 Airways Blvd. Suite 103, Southaven, Mississippi 38671
- Phone: (662) 597-1131
- Website: https://www.concorde.edu
6Copiah-Lincoln Community College
Copiah-Lincoln Community College offers online clinical dental assistant training.
Students prepare for the Certified Dental Assistant exam through interactive lessons.
They also become ready for the Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control components of the Certified Dental Assistant exam.
Courses Offered
The following courses are included in the program:
- Overview of the Dental Profession
- Dental Health and Disease
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Infection Control
- Basics of Dental Assisting
- Radiology
- Dental Assisting in the Specialty Practice
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1028 JC Redd Drive, Wesson, MS 39191
- Phone: 601.643.5101
- Website: https://workforce.colin.edu
7Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
About the School
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offers a Dental Assisting Technology program.
This one-year technical program is designed to prepare students for employment and advancement in the dental assisting field.
The curriculum requires 46 semester hours of courses that include lecture hours, lab hours, and supervised clinical experience.
During clinical training, students assist the dentist chairside in private practice offices, clinics, and state facilities.
The program helps students gain an understanding of dental anatomy, dental procedures, patient communication, infection control, and medical emergencies.
Students become eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board exam and become Certified Dental Assistants.
Applicants need an official high school transcript from an approved high school or high school equivalency score if not previously enrolled in college.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Dental Orientation
- Dental Assisting Materials
- Dental Science
- Dental Radiology
- Dental Health Education
- Practice Management
- Chairside Assisting
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 51 Main Street, Perkinston, MS 39573
- Phone: (228) 896-2536
- Website: https://mgccc.edu
8Mississippi State University
About the School
Mississippi State University offers a Clinical Dental Assistant program that can be completed in 12 months.
This program helps students launch a new career in dental assisting by teaching them about all the aspects of this profession and giving them the opportunity to gain real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants.
The curriculum also covers essential information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, employment strategies, and many other topics.
Graduates receive vouchers to sit for the Anatomy, Morphology, Physiology, Infection Control, and Radiation Health and Safety portions of the Dental Assisting National Board examinations.
This program costs $2,995.
Contact Information
- Address: 365 Barr Avenue, Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Phone: (662) 325-5002
- Website: https://www.ce.msstate.edu
9Blue Cliff College
About the School
Blue Cliff College offers a Dental Assisting Diploma program that prepares students for entry-level positions as chair-side dental assistants and dental business office assistants.
The college has a campus in Gulfport.
Available are programs designed to help students learn in both classroom and hands-on environments.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes topics such as:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Dental health and nutrition
- Oral histology
- Tooth form and structure
- Preventive dentistry
- Infection control
- Dental laboratory procedures
- Radiography
- Patient care
- Healthcare laws and regulations
- And more
The program can be completed in 12 months by students who attend day classes and in 15 months by students enrolled in night classes.
Tuition for this program is $18,615.
Additional supplies and fees bring the total cost to $20,872.
Contact Information
- Address: 12251 Bernard Parkway, Gulfport, MS 39503
- Phone: (228) 896-9727
- Website: https://www.bluecliffcollege.edu
10Mississippi Delta Community College
About the School
Mississippi Delta Community College offers a Dental Hygiene Technology program that provides students with extraordinary clinical experiences and academic opportunities.
Available are an Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene that allows an individual the opportunity to serve the public, and work in a variety of settings, with the ability to work flexible hours.
The program consists of 51 hours of dental hygiene courses and 24 academic hours.
Graduates are awarded an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene and are eligible to sit for the National Board of Dental Examiners, as well as individual state board examination for dental hygiene licensure.
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 668, Hwy 3 & Cherry St. Moorhead, MS 38761
- Phone: 662-246-MDCC
- Website: https://www.msdelta.edu
Regional Salary in Mississippi
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 340 | $37,160 | $17.86 | $50,340 | $29,590 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 250 | $34,620 | $16.64 | $46,060 | $27,850 |
| Jackson, MS | 640 | $42,130 | $20.25 | $54,180 | $30,260 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list and gathered information about the best dental assisting training programs in Mississippi, the next step is to decide if this is the path you want to pursue and choose the school that will help you get there.
Make sure you continue the research and gather information about all the relevant factors before making this important decision.
