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 may be the right choice for you.
On this page, you will discover more about the best dental assistant schools in Nebraska and the programs they offer.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nebraska dental assistants earned, on average, $43,940 per year, with salaries ranging from less than $38,000 to more than $54,000.
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 techniques
- 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.
1Southeast Community College
About the School
Southeast Community College offers a dental assisting program that teaches students how to interact with patients and assist dentists in providing quality dental health.
The program provides students with opportunities to develop specialized skills in dental health education, chairside assisting, various laboratory procedures, coronal polishing, radiation exposure and processing, business procedures, and over 300 hours of clinical experience.
To prepare for the school’s curriculum, those interested are recommended to take courses in biology, anatomy, health, nutrition, computer skills, and Dental Terminology.
The program has the following costs:
- $8,180 for an Associate of Applied Science
- $5,730 for a Diploma
Southeast Community College Dental Assisting curriculum has been approved through a National accreditor, the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Graduates may sit for the Dental Assisting National Board exam- Certified Dental Assistant exam.
Contact Information
- Address: 4771 W. Scott Road, Beatrice, NE 68310-7042
- Phone: 402-228-3468
- Website: https://www.southeast.edu
2Central Community College
Central Community College offers a campus facility that gives students the experience they need in order to have a career in dental assisting.
Students learn to take X-rays, prepare patients for treatment, prepare dental materials, perform laboratory procedures, and perform coronal polishing.
Graduates meet the requirements for the practice of dental assisting in the State of Nebraska and are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board examination to become Certified Dental Assistants.
The following program options are available:
- Dental Assisting A.A.S. Degree
- Dental Assisting Diploma
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting
- Dental Anatomy & Physiology
- Dental Materials
- Infection Control
- Dental Materials
- Dental Radiography
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: P.O. Box 1027, 4500 63rd Street, Columbus, NE 68602-1027
- Phone: 402-564-7132
- Website: https://www.cccneb.edu
3Heartland Dental Assisting
About the School
Heartland Dental Assisting is a school privately owned and operated in Omaha, Nebraska.
The 10-week course is designed with the student in mind.
From small class sizes to hands-on patient training, students have everything they need to start a new career as dental assistants.
The school offers small class sizes and personalized attention.
Heartland Dental Assisting is approved and regulated by the Nebraska Department of Education, Division of Private Post-Secondary Career Schools.
The program has the following requirements:
- Proof of being at least 18 years old or older
- Shadow in the school’s office
- Complete enrollment agreement
- Make arrangements to pay the tuition before starting
Contact Information
- Address: 13215 Birch Dr. Suite 101, Omaha, NE 68164
- Phone: (402) 498-8804
- Website: https://www.heartlanddentalassisting.com
4Union Adventist University
Union Adventist University helps students advance their registered Dental Assistant careers.
The program can be completed in 14 weeks and costs $4,000 if paid in full.
Students prepare for typical responsibilities such as:
- Scheduling patient appointments
- Sterilizing instruments
- Handing instruments to dentists during procedures
- Instructing patients in proper oral hygiene
- Billing
The program has the following requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Web browser with internet connection
- Course registration & payment
Contact Information
- Address: 3800 South 48th Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506
- Phone: (402) 403-3291
- Website: https://workforce.ucollege.edu
5United Exchange Dental Assisting School
About the School
United Exchange Dental Assisting School helps students begin a career as a dental assistant through private secondary schooling.
The program is available in La Vista, Nebraska.
The school provides an eight-week dental assistant course that helps students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to have success as dental assistants.
The program includes three hours per week of didactic lecture hours and covers topics on dental terminology, equipment, instruments, procedures, ethics, leadership, and employability skills.
Students learn how to take impressions, sterilize equipment, disinfect operating areas, make a bleaching tray, and perform other procedures to high standards.
They also develop a thorough understanding of HIPAA and OSHA.
The curriculum includes the following:
- Didactic lecture hours
- Clinical hours
- Externship
Contact Information
- Address: 12223 W Giles Rd, La Vista, NE 68128
- Phone: 402-506-7058
- Website: https://www.uedas.org
6Mid-Plains Community College
About the School
Mid-Plains Community College offers an 11-month course of study that leads to a diploma in dental assisting.
Students also have the option of completing an Associate in Applied Science degree.
This program aims to prepare graduates to aid the dentist at the chair side during examinations and treatment of patients.
They also learn how to perform supportive laboratory and business office procedures.
Graduates meet all requirements for the practice of dental assisting, are x-ray certified and coronal polishing certified in the state of Nebraska, and are prepared to sit for the national certification exam offered by the Dental Assisting National Board.
Courses Offered
The program has the following objectives:
- Perform tasks related to entry-level dental assisting employment
- Use effective communication skills
- Apply the theory of dental assisting to specific jobs
- Use mathematical data and reasoning skills in relation to dental assisting
- Be prepared to take external certification exams
- And more
Contact Information
- Address:1205 East Third St. McCook, NE 69001
- Phone: 308-345-8100
- Website: https://www.mpcc.edu
7Wayne State College
Wayne State College offers a pre-dental program.
This program is set up to allow students to receive their B.A. or B.S. and be ready for graduate work in a dental school.
The college started as Nebraska Normal College, a teacher’s college in 1891.
More than 125 years later, one out of 10 Nebraska teachers hold at least one degree from Wayne State.
Courses Offered
Students may take classes such as:
- Chemistry
- Human Anatomy
- Organic Chemistry
- Molecular Genetics
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1111 Main Street, Wayne, NE 68787
- Phone: 402-375-7234
- Website: https://www.wsc.edu
8Lincoln Dental Assisting Academy
About the School
Lincoln Dental Assisting Academy offers a program that prepares students for a fast-paced career in the dental profession.
The program can be completed in just ten weeks and teaches students the skills, technology, and dental theory needed to succeed in a career in dental assisting.
Students receive a detailed education in modern dental practices, complete with hands-on training from practicing dental professionals in real-life dental offices.
Trainees also attend a two-week clinical rotation as an externship.
Courses Offered
The course of training includes:
- Radiology theory and practice of intraoral and extraoral X-ray techniques and procedures
- Cement and liners
- Model pouring and trimming
- Impressions
- Treatment techniques for all areas of dentistry
- Sterilization procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 831 Sterling Pkwy, Suite 110, Lincoln, CA 95648
- Phone: (279) 243-0059
- Website: https://lincolndentalassistingacademy.com
9Remington College
About the School
Remington College offers a Dental Assisting diploma that provides training in the skills and knowledge that help students qualify for an entry-level position as a dental assistant.
The program covers a wide range of topics, including oral anatomy as well as other specific dental procedures and topics.
The program can be completed in as few as eight months.
It is available at several locations in Ohio, Texas, and Tennessee.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers:
- Basic Body Systems and Functions
- Orientation to Dental Assisting
- Chairside Assisting
- Oral Anatomy and Radiology
- Dental Office Emergencies
- Dental Science and Materials
Remington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Contact Information
- Phone: 800-208-1950
- Website: https://www.remingtoncollege.edu
10University of Nebraska- Kearney
The University of Nebraska offers a pre-dentistry program available on campus.
The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Courses Offered
This program covers:
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Academic Writing and Research
- General Physics
- Human Physiology
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Human Microbiology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 2504 9th Ave, Kearney, NE 68849
- Phone: 308-865-8441
- Website: https://www.unk.edu
Regional Salary in Nebraska
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island, NE | 100 | $42,940 | $20.65 | $54,220 | $37,100 |
| Lincoln, NE | 480 | $45,700 | $21.97 | $56,250 | $37,230 |
| Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA | 1,080 | $45,680 | $21.96 | $54,530 | $38,290 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list and gathered information about the best dental assistant training programs in Nebraska, 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.
