Trade Schools
If you’re a compassionate person and you want to prepare for a rewarding career in a dental office, the dental assistant profession is worth exploring.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage reported by dental assistants in New Mexico was $40,530 as of May 2023.
Before being ready to apply for your first job in the field, you have to learn how to complete tasks such as:
- Preparing equipment, materials, and instruments for patient care
- Perform sterilization and disinfection procedures
- Provide patients with instructions both before and after dental procedures
- Provide coronal polishing and fluoride treatments
- Place pit and fissure sealants
- Expose, develop, and mount dental radiographs
- And more
Most programs may be completed in only a few months and help students prepare for the Certifications needed before applying for entry-level employment in this field, including dental radiographs, pit and fissure sealants, and coronal polishing.
To help you choose the program and the format that best meets your learning style and career aspirations, on this page, we have compiled information about the best dental assistant schools in the state of New Mexico.
1Albuquerque Dental Assistant School
About the School
Albuquerque Dental Assistant School offers a Dental Assistant program through Zollege Healthcare Career School.
Zollege offers more than 130 program locations nationwide.
The program is 12 weeks long and teaches students everything they need to know to be career-ready.
The curriculum is designed to meet students’ lives.
The program features immersive, hands-on learning taught by experienced professionals.
Tuition and fees include a set of scrubs and all supplies and materials needed for class.
Students’ textbook is also included at no extra charge.
Students learn and practice in an actual dental office setting to acquire real-world experience.
Contact Information
- Address: 9501 Paseo Del Norte Blvd NE suite a, Albuquerque, NM 87122
- Phone: 505-715-6502
- Website: https://albuquerquedentalassistant.com
2Central New Mexico Community College
About the School
Central New Mexico Community College offers a Dental Assistant program that provides training in dental radiographs, pit and fissure sealants, coronal polishing, and topical fluoride application.
Students earn a degree and may pursue work as Dental Assistants.
The program available at Central New Mexico Community College is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
The curriculum includes classroom and laboratory instruction as well as hands-on clinical experience in dental clinics working alongside other Dental Professionals.
Graduates are prepared to provide basic services under the supervision of a licensed dentist or dental hygienist.
The program prepares students for the Dental Assisting National Board exam and for the NM state certifications in dental radiographs, pit and fissure sealants, coronal polishing, and topical fluoride application.
Contact Information
- Address: 900 University Blvd. SE
- Phone: (505) 224-3000
- Website: https://www.cnm.edu
3New Mexico State University
New Mexico State University provides a Dental Assistant program that aims to enhance the delivery of quality dental health care to a diverse community.
The program seeks to provide dental assistants with the most recent advances in technology, materials, techniques, and equipment to be prepared when entering the workforce system.
The program prepares students to successfully challenge the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care Radiology Certification.
Courses Offered
Students prepare for tasks such as:
- Preparing equipment, materials, and instruments for patient care
- Performing sterilization and disinfection procedures
- Providing patients with instructions both before and after dental procedures
- Providing coronal polishing and fluoride treatments
- Placing pit and fissure sealants
- Exposing, developing, and mounting dental radiographs
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 9501 Paseo Del Norte Blvd NE suite a, Albuquerque, NM 87122
- Phone: 505-715-6502
- Website: https://nmsu.edu
4New Mexico Junior College
New Mexico Junior College offers a Dental Assisting program that prepares students for entry-level positions in one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions.
Courses Offered
The course follows the following key areas and topics:
- Introduction to the dental office and history of dentistry and dental assisting
- Legal aspects of dentistry, including policies and guidelines
- Introductory oral anatomy, dental operatory, and dental equipment
- The oral cavity and related structures
- And more
Dental assistants and aides should have or be pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
New Mexico Junior College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Thunderbird Circle, Hobbs, NM 88240
- Phone: (575) 392-4510
- Website: https://www.nmjc.edu
5Dona Ana Community College
About the School
Dona Ana Community College offers a Dental Program that includes a Dental Assisting Certificate and a Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Sciences.
The programs are designed to prepare students for careers in the dental field.
Students prepare to perform tasks such as:
- Preparing equipment, materials, and instruments for patient care
- Performing sterilization and disinfection procedures
- Creating temporary crows
- Placing pit & fissure sealants
- Taking impressions of teeth
- Creating study casts
- Exposing, developing, and mounting dental radiographs
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88011
- Phone: 575-528-7000
- Website: https://dacc.nmsu.edu
6Santa Fe Community College
About the School
Santa Fe Community College offers an Expanded Function Dental Auxilliary program designed to train Certified Dental Assistants, NM Licensed Dental Assistants, Registered Dental Hygienists, and other NM Dental Board-approved dental auxiliaries, in the art of Restorative Dentistry and other NM Dental Board approved EFDA duties.
Students are expected to attend all lectures, laboratory, and clinical sessions.
They must be very familiar with restorative procedures, and be able to use both vision and indirect mirror vision to complete and evaluate restorations.
EFDA students attend didactic courses online and on-site labs.
Clinics are scheduled at affiliated dental sites and/or sponsor dentist’s office.
Hands-on learning takes place in the school’s state-of-the-art on-site training dental lab.
Contact Information
- Address: 6401 Richards Avenue, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87508
- Phone: 505-428-1000
- Website: https://www.sfcc.edu
7The University of New Mexico
About the School
The University of New Mexico offers two-year programs at its Gallup campus, as well as adult education, high school education, community education, and technical and career education.
Students have the option of obtaining a certificate in a vocational program or an associate’s degree in a vocational program or academic discipline.
Courses Offered
The University of New Mexico- Gallup offers a certificate in Dental Assisting that teaches students the skills needed to use both communication and technical skills in flexible work environments.
The program aims to develop clinical competencies and to help students seek employment as qualified entry-level dental assistants.
Trainees learn how to perform a variety of dental assisting tasks with state-of-the-art methods and materials.
After completing the program, students qualify for both the New Mexico certificate examinations and the Dental Assisting National Board examination.
Tuition for resident students is $852.
Contact Information
- Address: 705 Gurley Ave. Gallup, NM 87301
- Phone: (505) 863-7500
- Website: https://www.gallup.unm.edu
8Pinnacle Institute
About the School
Pinnacle Institute provides a wide range of cutting-edge curricula.
The institute aims to provide educational pathways that meet the demands of both students and employers.
Students receive the hands-on training necessary to be ready to work immediately after graduation.
The school provides flexible hours and training paths that fit students’ lifestyles and schedules.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assistant program at Pinnacle Institute teaches students how to be effective entry-level dental assistants.
The institute provides hands-on training and communication and administrative skills needed to work as dental assistants.
Students gain medical knowledge and training to prepare patients for examination, treatment, and X-rays.
They also learn how to perform other tasks, such as:
- Sterilize/disinfect instruments and equipment
- Provide post-operative instruction
- Educate patients in proper oral healthcare
- Perform clerical and laboratory duties
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 101 N. Alameda Blvd. Suite D, Las Cruces, NM 88005
- Phone: 575-650-7831
- Website: https://pinnacletechcollege.com
9New Mexico Institute of Dental Assisting
About the School
New Mexico Institute of Dental Assisting prepares students for careers as dental assistants in less than four months.
From start to finish, the programs last 13 weeks.
Students receive in-class instruction as well as hands-on training.
They learn from experienced and knowledgeable professionals in the dental industry and are prepared to work in a dental office as soon as they graduate.
The cost of the program includes tuition, books, DANB official exam fee, lab coat, and eyewear.
The program costs $7,000.
The school offers evening classes to allow students to continue to work while completing the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 9201 Eagle Ranch Rd. NW, Albuquerque NM 87114
- Phone: (505) 414-1431
- Website: https://www.newmexicodentalassisting.com
10Pima Medical Institute
About the School
Pima Medical Institute offers more than 30 programs at its 16 campuses, as well as nine online programs.
The institute provides students with the hands-on education that gives them an edge on the job market after graduation.
Pima Medical Institute offers a certificate program that teaches students the skills to work as effective entry-level dental assistants.
The institute provides hands-on, real-world training plus communication, administrative, and assisting skills needed to work in this position.
Students learn the skills to prepare patients for examination/treatment, take x-rays, sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, provide post-operative instruction, educate patients in proper oral healthcare, and more.
Classes also teach students how to perform clerical and laboratory duties.
The program is also available in a hybrid format.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology
- Computer Basics
- Math Fundamentals
- Fundamentals of Dentistry
- Dental Equipment and Materials
- Chairside Assisting and Clinical Procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4400 Cutler Ave N.E. Albuquerque, NM 87110
- Phone: 800-477-PIMA
- Website: https://pmi.edu
Regional Salary in New Mexico
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 1,040 | $40,850 | $19.64 | $47,410 | $31,020 |
| Farmington, NM | 190 | $40,600 | $19.52 | $49,430 | $31,090 |
| Las Cruces, NM | 230 | $37,820 | $18.18 | $47,080 | $30,510 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 200 | $44,310 | $21.3 | $54,080 | $35,190 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
New Mexico is home to many schools that can prepare you for a dental assistant profession in only a few months.
Now that you have read the selection of the best training options available in the region, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
