Trade Schools
If you want to start a rewarding career in the dental field without spending four years in dental school, the dental assisting profession is worth exploring.
Here you will discover more about the best dental assistant schools in the state of Missouri and the programs they offer.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Missouri dental assistants earned, on average, $44,450 per year.
Before being ready to apply for your first job as a dental assistant, you have to learn how to perform a variety of tasks, including:
- Sterilization, and CPR/BLS techniques
- Radiology
- Impressions
- Four-handed dentistry, fillings, and X-ray exam
- Crown and bridge
- Office management, OSHA, state guidelines, seating a patient, and charting
- And more
The programs included in our list combine classroom with hands-on training to get you ready for entry-level employment in the field.
1Center for Advanced Dental Assisting
About the School
The Center for Advanced Dental Assisting helps students become dental assistants in just ten weeks.
To ensure students are prepared for current practices, the school focuses on the most modern tech in digital dentistry.
The school also teaches the necessary skills to help students find and land a job right after graduating.
The CADA Dental Assistant program is available in three different locations in the St. Louis Area: Wentzville, Oakville, and Raymore.
The program costs $3,650 with a one-time investment.
Available are also ten-week payment plans of $359.50 and $355 at registration and six monthly payments of $649.16 and $355 at registration.
Students attend classes on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Contact Information
- Address: 1838 Wentzville Pkwy, Wentzville, MO 63385
- Phone: 636-887-3005
- Website: https://cada.dental
2Dental Careers Institute
The Dental Careers Institute offers a variety of dental continuing education classes.
The courses are designed to help students stay relevant in their career.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the institute:
- Required OSHA/Infection Control/HIPAA Compliance
- Dental Unit Water Line Compliance
- Nitrous Oxide Certification
- BLS/CPR
- Colornal Polishing Course
- Sealant Course
Contact Information
- Address: 7766 Winghaven Blvd, O’Fallon, MO 63368
- Phone: 636-487-8276
- Website: https://www.dentalcareersinstitute.net
3Accelerated Academy
About the School
The Accelerated Academy offers a Dental program in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
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/BLS Certificate
Students are job-ready in only ten weeks.
Tuition is $2,679 for early registration and $3,079 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
- 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: 3555 NE Ralph Powell Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64064
- Phone: 866-805-3785
- Website: https://www.acceleratedacademy.us
4State Technical College of Missouri
About the School
State Technical College of Missouri has a campus with more than 50 labs, an automotive bay, aviation hanger, and more than 40 acres of land dedicated to the heavy equipment operations program.
Courses Offered
Among many other career paths, the college provides a Dental Assisting Technology pathway.
The 11-month curriculum starts in July each year and prepares students for the Certified Dental Assisting exam, a nationally recognized certification offered through the Dental Assisting National Board.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Students earn three distinct dental credentials:
- Nationally Certified Dental Assistant
- Missouri certified to assist in the administration and monitor nitrous oxide analgesia
- Missouri registered Expanded Function Dental Assistants, performing broader duties after being delegated by a Missouri-licensed dentist.
Contact Information
- Address: One Technology Drive, Linn, MO 65051
- Phone: (573) 897-5000
- Website: https://statetechmo.edu
5Midwest Institute
About the School
Midwest Institute offers a dental assistant training program in St. Louis.
The program uses state-of-the-art equipment combined with a complete dental operatory to provide a virtual dental office designed to groom students for an actual work environment.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- How to work with patients and make them comfortable in the dental chair
- Sterilize dental instruments
- Preparing the work area
- Helping dentists by handing instruments during procedures
- Instructing patients in proper dental hygiene
- Keeping records of dental treatments
- And more
The program is accredited by the ABHES.
Graduates are eligible for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant Certification Exam, offered by the Dental Assisting National Board.
Contact Information
- Address: 4260 Shoreline Drive, Earth City, MO 63045
- Phone: 314-344-4440
- Website: https://www.midwestinstitute.edu
6Cherry Hill Dental
About the School
Cherry Hill Dental offers a Dental Assisting program in Columbia, Montana.
The school offers a comprehensive and hands-on curriculum designed to prepare students for successful careers.
Students learn from experienced instructors who provide individualized attention and support to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to excel in their careers.
The program covers fundamentals in dental assisting, including dental anatomy, infection control, patient care, and radiography.
Learners participate in two and a half hours of clinical training each session to ensure students complete the program with the necessary skills to find employment as dental assistants.
The ten-week program meets on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The course offers 50 hours of classroom and clinical instruction from a doctor of dental surgery and expanded functions dental assistants.
Contact Information
- Address: 220 Diego Ct, Columbia, MO 65203, United States
- Phone: 573-446-0880
- Website: https://www.cherryhilldentalonline.com
7Ozarks Technical Community College
About the School
Ozarks Technical Community College offers a Dental Assisting program that provides a foundation in health sciences along with training in the technology necessary to perform the tasks delegated to dental assistants by the State Dental Practice Act.
Students participate in clinical training experiences that include working with dentists and their teams in private practices, community centers, as well as the college’s Dental Hygiene Clinic in Springfield.
Those who complete the training become eligible for the Expanded Functions Permit through the Missouri Dental Board.
Graduates are also eligible for the Dental Assisting National Board Examination to become Certified Dental Assistants.
Courses Offered
The following pathways are available:
- Dental Assisting- A.A.S.- a 61-hour degree
- Certificate- a 39-hour program
The curriculum covers:
- Chairside Assisting
- Infection Prevention
- The Dental Profession
- Operative Dentistry
- Dental Materials
- Dental Radiology
- Dental Office Procedures
- Dental Clinic Practicum
- And more
Contact Information
- Address:1001 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802
- Phone: (417) 447-7500
- Website: https://www.otc.edu
8Dogwood Dental Assisting School
Dogwood Dental Assisting School offers a 28-week course that prepares students to implement infection control and injury prevention protocols, obtain dental radiographic images, provide moisture control, and how to use the most commonly used dental materials.
After completing the program, students are prepared to take the Missouri Test of Basic Dental Assisting Skills Exam.
Courses Offered
The program includes 357 contact hours and can be completed in 28 weeks.
Tuition for this program is $5,000.
The program has the following prerequisites:
- American Heart Association Healthcare Provider BLS with AED training
and either
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum 17 years of age, enrolled in final semester high school
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: Post Office Box 105796, Jefferson City, MO 65110
- Phone: (573) 619-4434
- Website: https://dogwoodda.org
9Apex Dental Education
About the School
Apex Dental Education offers a Dental Assisting Academy in Springfield.
The program is designed to help students kickstart their careers in dentistry.
Apex Dental Education in Springfield is a premier post-secondary institution dedicated to providing hands-on skill-focused training for aspiring Certified Dental Assistants.
The program equips students with the practical experience and knowledge needed to excel in the dental field.
Early registration tuition is $3,250.
Standard tuition is $3,550.
All course materials and textbook rental are included in tuition.
Contact Information
- Address: 1704 N Robberson Ave, Springfield, MO 65803
- Phone: (844) 507-4779
- Website: https://www.apexdentaleducation.com
10Midwest Technical Institute
About the School
Midwest Technical Institute offers a Dental Assisting program designed to prepare students for exciting new careers in the dental field.
The school offers labs designed to simulate real dental work environments.
Students may complete training in just nine months.
The school provides flexible class times to accommodate students’ busy schedules.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers:
- Infection Control
- Restorative Dentistry and Dental Charting
- Prosthodontics and Dental Office Lab
- Dental Radiology and Office Administration
- Dental Specialties and Preventive Dentistry
- Employment Preparation and Review and Externship
The program can be completed in nine months and includes 765 clock hours, including:
- 225 externship hours
- 135 outside additional clock hours
Contact Information
- Address: 2731 Farmers Market Rd, Springfield, IL 62707, United States
- Phone: 217-527-8324
- Website: https://www.midwesttech.edu
Regional Salary in Missouri
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 180 | $41,870 | $20.13 | $49,960 | $32,180 |
| Columbia, MO | 220 | $44,020 | $21.16 | $54,350 | $34,250 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 160 | $42,750 | $20.55 | $50,260 | $31,290 |
| Joplin, MO | 200 | $42,480 | $20.43 | $49,070 | $34,210 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 2,680 | $44,820 | $21.55 | $57,650 | $33,630 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 140 | $45,250 | $21.76 | $53,820 | $34,830 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 3,080 | $45,060 | $21.66 | $54,910 | $35,840 |
| Springfield, MO | 690 | $42,940 | $20.65 | $47,750 | $34,790 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
On this page, we have compiled information about the best dental assistant schools in Missouri and the programs they offer.
Now that you have read our selection, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs, learning style, and career aspirations.
