Trade Schools
If you want to prepare for a rewarding career in a dental office without spending four years in dental school, the dental assistant profession is worth exploring.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for South Carolina dental assistants was $46,940.
Before being ready to apply for your first job in the field, you have to learn how to complete tasks such as:
- Passing instruments and supplies to the dentist
- Preparing materials
- Removing sutures
- Applying topical anesthetics
- Applying bleaching agents and fissure sealants
- Taking and developing X-rays digitally and manually
- Obtaining the patient’s medical history
- And more
Most dental assisting programs take only a few months to complete.
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 South Carolina.
1Carolina Career School and Training Institute
Carolina Career School and Training Institute helps students obtain a professional career with hands-on training in the dental or medical industry in five months or less.
The school provides hands-on clinical instruction with experts in each field of study.
Courses Offered
The Chairside Dental Assistant program available at the institute consists of hands-on clinical training and online education tools.
This five-month program consists of:
- 120 hands-on learning clinical hours
- 72 online course hours
- three months of internship hours
Students also receive the following certifications:
- Basic Life Support
- Infection Control
- Radiation Safety
Aspiring dental assistants learn how to:
- Identify tooth numbers, types, oral anatomy
- Operate dental assisting equipment
- Sterilize dental equipment and instruments
- Use Four-Handed Dental Assisting Techniques
- Patient reception and dismissal
- Maintain and manage patient records
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 605 Northwood Drive, Lexington, SC 29072
- Phone: (803)785-4769
- Website: https://www.carolinacareerschool.com
2Lake Wylie School of Dental Assisting
About the School
Lake Wylie School of Dental Assisting offers a 16-week dental assisting course.
This course consists of:
- 96 hours of lecture and lab
- 50-hour internship with a practicing dentist
The program uses a hands-on educational approach that allows students to learn by doing.
Students are trained in a state-of-the-art facility that gives them exposure to all aspects of dental technology.
After completing the course, students receive a Certificate in Radiology, Dental Assisting, and CPR.
Courses Offered
Students learn how to:
- Pass instruments and supplies to the dentist
- Take good-quality IO photos
- Prepare materials
- Remove sutures
- Apply topical anesthetics
- Apply bleaching agents and fissure sealants
- Take and develop X-rays digitally and manually
- Obtain the patient’s medical history
- And more
Contact Information
- Address:227 Church Street, Clover, SC 29710
- Phone: 803-831-9599
- Website: https://lakewyliesda.com
3The 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.
The Dental Assisting course in Columbia, South Carolina, 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 their Registered Dental Assistant license.
Tuition is $3,479 for early registration and $3,879 for final registration.
The program also offers flexible payment plans so students can graduate without accumulating debt.
Courses Offered
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 that students hold 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
4Springfield School of Dental Assisting
About the School
Springfield School of Dental Assisting helps students start a lifelong career in dentistry.
The 16-week program takes place for two nights per week for four hours each or for one full day per week (eight hours each).
The program includes South Carolina X-Ray Certification.
Tuition for this program is $4,200.
The school offers digital X-rays, a CT machine, a crown and bridge scanner, and Dentrix dental software training.
Students are trained in clinical, front office and lab procedures, including:
- Four-handed dentistry
- Administrative training
- Computer training
- Certificate as a dental X-ray technician
After completing the course, students receive assistance from the school in finding an externship in an actual working dental office to finish their training.
Contact Information
- Address: 452 Mercantile Place, Fort Mill, SC 29715
- Phone: (803) 548-0005
- Website: https://www.springfielddaschool.com
5Capstone Career Development Center
Capstone Career Development Center offers the following career training programs:
- Chairside Dental Assisting
- Pharmacy Technician
- Clinical Medical Assisting
- Phlebotomy Technician
Courses Offered
The Chairside Dental Assisting program prepares students for many dental settings.
This program can be completed in 16 weeks and includes 100 hours of hands-on training.
Lectures are held online Monday to Friday at students’ own pace.
Clinicals take place Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Chairside Dental Assisting program includes:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting
- The Dental Profession- Orientation to the Dental Profession, Dental Basics, Dental Anatomy & Terminology
- Head Anatomy, Oral Histology, Anatomy of a Tooth
- Four-handed Dentistry
- Tub and Tray Systems
- CPR, Crown & Bridge, Provisional Crowns
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 21 Orchard Park Dr. Ste H Greenville, SC 29615
- Phone: 877-755-2232
- Website: https://www.capstonecareerdevelopmentcenter.com
6Charlotte 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.
12-week payment plans are available.
Contact Information
- Address: 10220 Prosperity Park Drive, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28269
- Phone:(704) 327-6011
- Website: https://charlottedentalassistantschool.com
7Fortis Institute
About the School
Fortis Institute offers education programs in Nursing, Dental, Healthcare, and HVAC-R.
The institute provides a Dental Assisting program in Columbia, South Carolina.
Students learn how to provide educational, preventive, and clinical therapeutic services to the public and promote healthy dental hygiene.
The dental assisting program is a blend of traditional classroom instruction, and small-group learning environments enhanced by hands-on skill development.
Students learn by doing and develop important skills through real-world hands-on practice.
The program covers a variety of direct patient care skills, routine administrative and office tasks, and critical laboratory functions.
Graduates receive a diploma and are ready for entry-level employment opportunities as dental assistants.
Contact Information
- Address: 246 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 101, Columbia, SC 29210
- Phone: (803) 678-4800
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu
8Dental Staff Institute
Dental Staff Institute provides training that prepares students for careers as dental assistants in Charlotte.
The school 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
9Lakeside Dental Assisting 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 their 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
10Rock Hill Dental Assisting Academy
Rock Hill Dental Assisting Academy offers classes that take place on Mondays and Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The 16-week program is taught in a facility that has state-of-the-art equipment.
The school teaches using real-world technology.
Courses Offered
Students learn:
- Infection control and sterilization
- Taking vitals and documentation with patients
- Radiology and x-ray techniques
- Dental anatomy
- Impression techniques
- Crown and bridge procedures
- Coronal polishing and sealants
- Patient Education
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 636 Crown Pointe Lane, Suite 105, Rock Hill, SC 29730
- Phone: (803) 329-4745
- Website: https://www.rockhilldaa.com
Regional Salary in South Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 1,060 | $48,910 | $23.51 | $59,380 | $39,830 |
| Columbia, SC | 770 | $45,730 | $21.99 | $58,170 | $37,240 |
| Florence, SC | 220 | $43,950 | $21.13 | $54,230 | $36,140 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC | 960 | $47,170 | $22.68 | $58,490 | $38,060 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, SC | 250 | $45,990 | $22.11 | $58,200 | $36,430 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC-NC | 450 | $46,090 | $22.16 | $57,100 | $37,810 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 320 | $46,110 | $22.17 | $57,190 | $37,530 |
| Sumter, SC | 120 | $42,240 | $20.31 | $48,540 | $34,580 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
South Carolina is home to many schools that can prepare you for a dental assistant profession in only a few months.
Now that you have read our selection of the best training options available in the region, it’s time to choose the program that best meets your needs after completing a thorough research.
