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 for dental assistants in the state of North Carolina was $47,180- salaries ranging from less than $37,000 to more than $59,000 depending on region, employer, education, experience, and a variety of other factors.
Before being ready to apply for your first job in the field, you have to learn how to complete tasks such as:
- Preparing patients for treatments and procedures
- Sterilizing and organizing dental instruments
- Handing instruments to dentists during procedures
- Using suction hoses
- Keeping and filing records of dental instruments
- Scheduling appointments
- And more
Many programs combine self-paced online training with hands-on experiences to allow students to keep a full-time job while preparing for a new career.
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 North Carolina.
1Charlotte Dental Assistant School
About the School
Charlotte Dental Assistant School offers a 12-week dental assistant course.
So far, this course has helped thousands of people start a new career in the dental field.
The school offers affordable tuition and flexible payment plans.
The hybrid learning program includes in-person labs at a local dental office once a week.
The labs are paired with self-paced online lectures that can be completed at home during the week.
The school uses a curriculum taught by passionate and knowledgeable school instructors.
The program includes online modules and at-home tools that complement the in-person labs and create a comprehensive course for all types of learners.
Tuition is $2,950 if paid in full.
Contact Information
- Address: 10220 Prosperity Park Drive, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28269
- Phone: (704) 327-6011
- Website: https://charlottedentalassistantschool.com
2D.A. Academy of NC
The Dental Assistant Academy of NC helps students become dental assistants in just 12 weeks.
According to its website, the school provides:
- Convenient class schedules
- High job placement
- Lowest tuition in Charlotte
- Financial options
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the Dental Assistant Academy of NC:
- Dental Assistant
- Coronal Polishing
- Nitrous Oxide
- CPR/AED
- Virtual Learning
The Dental Assistant program requires a high school or GED transcript as a prerequisite to apply.
Students prepare for tasks that are typically included in a dental assistant’s job description, such as:
- Preparing patients for treatments and procedures
- Sterilizing and organizing dental instruments
- Handing instruments to dentists during procedures
- Keeping patients’ mouths dry by using suction hoses
- Keeping and filing records of dental instruments
- Scheduling patient appointments
- And more
Tuition is $2,950 if paid in full.
Contact Information
- Address: 1001 East W.T. Harris Blvd #E Charlotte, NC 28213
- Phone: (704) 201-9714
- Website: https://daacademyofnc.com
3Triangle School of Dental Assisting
About the School
Triangle School of Dental Assisting aims to equip students with marketable skills and credentials and to fulfill the needs of dental practices in the Triangle area.
The program includes:
- Dental Assisting I Certificate
- Radiology Certification
- Nitrous Oxide Monitoring
- Resume Development
- Job Placement Assistance
The program can be completed in 15 weeks.
Daytime or evening classes are available.
Class size is limited to 15 students.
The cost of this course is $3,800 and includes all certifications, course materials, and graduation reception.
Contact Information
- Address: 8307 Six Forks Rd., Suite 107, Raleigh, NC 27615
- Phone: 919.600.4243
- Website: https://www.triangledentalassisting.com
4Hands On Dental Assistant Training
Hands-On Dental Assistant Training offers in-class and online classes at Maryland locations.
The classes are catered to fit students’ schedules.
The program helps aspiring dental assistants become eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board exam.
Classes are available at Washington DC and North Carolina locations for students who want to become entry-level dental assistants.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the school:
- Orthodontic Expanded Functions
- Administration Front Office
- Expanded Function
- Infection Control 2 hr CE
- Implicit Bias
- North Carolina Coronal Polishing Class
- Radiology Health and Safety
- And more
Tuition varies depending on the class.
The Radiation Health and Safety course costs $550 while the Expanded Function course costs $2,100.
Contact Information
- Phone: 301-881-5700
- Website: https://www.handsondat.com
5NC Dental U
NC Dental U helps students become Dental Assistants in as little as nine weeks.
The school provides eLearning opportunities with hands-on clinical training and affordable tuition with flexible payment options.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at NC Dental U:
- Dental Assisting
- Dental Receptionist
- Coronal Polishing
- Radiology
- Nitrous
- Infection Control
- Anesthesia For the Dental Hygienist
Costs vary between $145 and $3,695, depending on the program.
The Dental Assistant program awards the following certifications upon completion:
- North Carolina Dental X-Ray Certification
- Nitrous Oxide Monitoring for Dental Assistants
- Infection Control/HIPAA Certification
- CPR for the Health Care Provider
- Medical Office Emergencies
- Certificate of Course Completion from NC Dental U
Contact Information
- Address: 950 S Main Street, Kernersville, NC 27284
- Phone: 877-432-3555
- Website: https://ncdentalu.com
6Sunrise School of Dental Assisting
About the School
Sunrise School of Dental Assisting offers unique experiences and opportunities for students in Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville, Wilson, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and the surrounding areas.
The school has three locations.
The 13-week accelerated dental assisting training program at Sunrise School of Dental Assisting is held in the evenings to allow students to reach their career goals without disrupting their daily lives.
The program covers a broad range of information, including sedation, radiology, x-rays, and more.
Classes are small enough to allow each student to receive a high degree of individualized training.
One-on-one tutoring is also available to all students if needed.
Contact Information
- Address: 1009 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27615
- Phone: (919) 878-2077
- Website: https://sunriseschoolofdentalassisting.com
7DA. 1.5 Dental Assisting School
About the School
DA. 1.5 Dental Assisting School offers an eight-week accelerated program that includes hands-on training with a dentist and live patients.
Students receive a minimum of 48 hours of hands-on training.
DA. 1.5 Dental Assisting School is licensed by the State Board of Community Colleges.
Tuition for this program is $4,000 and includes application and enrollment fees.
Students complete:
- 48 hours of lectures and labs
- 40 hours of clinical internship
- 24 hours of clinical externship.
After completing the course students receive the Dental Assisting I Certification and Dental Assistant Radiology X-Ray Certification.
Class sizes are small in order to provide individual attention for every student.
Contact Information
- Address: 2375 Brewer Road, Winston Salem, NC 27127
- Phone: 336-245-2690
- Website: https://www.da1-5dentalassistingschool.com
8Lakeside Dental Assisting School
About the School
Lakeside Dental Assisting School helps aspiring dental assistants achieve Dental Assistant Certification in 12 weeks without stress and frustration.
Students enjoy the flexibility of in-person clinical experience and online learning that fits students’ everyday lives.
The program provides trainees with dental models to illustrate dental health.
They also get four hours of in-person clinical experience each week.
The remainder of the course is online.
The program costs $3,500.
Graduates receive a certificate of completion in Chairside Dental Assisting, North Carolina Radiology, Dental Emergencies, OSHA, and CPR.
Courses Offered
The program includes:
- Nitrous Oxide Course
- Coronal Polishing Course
- CPR Certification Course
- Dental Radiology Course
- Dental SPICE Course
- Dental Office Emergency Refresher Course
Contact Information
- Address: 501 N HWY 16, Denver, NC 28037
- Phone: (704) 589-1589
- Website: https://www.lakesidedentalassistingschool.com
9Dental Staff Institute
Dental Staff Institute offers a full 13-week class that has graduated, so far, hundreds of new dental assistants.
The program provides extensive hands-on training, allowing students to practice real-world dental procedures and techniques.
Students gain the confidence and expertise necessary to excel in their role as dental assistants.
The curriculum is designed to ensure students acquire the latest industry-relevant skills.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at the institute:
- Modern Dental Assisting Course
- Coronal Polishing for Dental Assistants
- Dental Radiography Challenge Exam
- Dental Radiography Certification
- Nitrous Oxide Analgesia Monitoring
- Advanced Laboratory Techniques
Contact Information
- Address: 3320 Siskey Parkway Suite 100-A, Matthews, NC 28105
- Phone: 704-234-7014
- Website: https://dentalstaffinstitute.com
10The Accelerated Academy
About the School
The Accelerated Academy offers dental assisting and pharmacy technician classes at several locations across the United States.
The academy holds three dental assistant courses per year.
Classes are available at several locations throughout the United States.
The Dental Assisting course runs for ten weeks.
Classes are held on Saturdays to allow students to balance their work with their training.
After completing the course, students will meet all the requirements to obtain a Registered Dental Assistant license.
The program also offers flexible payment plans so students can graduate without accumulating debt.
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting, Sterilization, and CPR/BLS
- Radiology
- Impressions
- Crown and Bridge
- Oral Surgery Implants, Partials, and Dentures
- Office Management
- Clinical Day
- And more
Students must be 17 years of age or older.
The school also requires a copy of a high school diploma, a copy of a GED, or a High School Equivalency Test.
Contact Information
- Phone: 866-805-3785
- Website: https://www.acceleratedacademy.us
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 630 | $49,070 | $23.59 | $60,550 | $36,050 |
| Burlington, NC | 170 | $48,870 | $23.49 | $55,310 | $38,650 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3,130 | $47,980 | $23.07 | $59,750 | $36,600 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 720 | $55,970 | $26.91 | $72,840 | $42,060 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 570 | $43,530 | $20.93 | $55,430 | $35,350 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 120 | $44,280 | $21.29 | $56,220 | $36,860 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 830 | $50,230 | $24.15 | $58,290 | $38,080 |
| Greenville, NC | 230 | $45,920 | $22.08 | $57,340 | $37,250 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 300 | $45,580 | $21.91 | $59,150 | $37,620 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 150 | $43,350 | $20.84 | $56,410 | $35,140 |
| New Bern, NC | 120 | $43,580 | $20.95 | $55,960 | $35,890 |
| Raleigh, NC | 1,640 | $50,950 | $24.49 | $60,670 | $37,560 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 90 | $43,880 | $21.1 | $57,910 | $33,550 |
| Wilmington, NC | 360 | $47,510 | $22.84 | $57,760 | $37,660 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 550 | $46,410 | $22.31 | $58,030 | $34,460 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
New Carolina is home to many schools that can prepare you for a dental assistant profession in only a few months.
Program costs and duration vary depending on the school.
Now that you have read our selection of the best training options available in your state, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your needs.
