Trade Schools
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the dental assistant profession will grow 8 percent by 2033, resulting in 54,900 new job openings across the United States.
The same agency reports that the mean annual wage reported by Illinois dental assistants was $42,420 as of May 2023.
Dental assistants perform a variety of duties in a dental office, under the supervision of a dentist, and many schools offer programs designed to teach you the skills needed for entry-level employment.
If you want to prepare for a rewarding career in healthcare, our selection of the best dental assistant schools in Illinois is worth exploring.
Program duration varies from a few weeks to one year or more, depending on the credentials it leads to.
Costs also vary depending on the school, the credential, and the program duration.
1Chicago Dental Assistant School
About the School
Chicago Dental Assistant School offers a 12-week dental assistant course that helps students start a new career in the dental field at a fraction of the cost of other schools.
The school provides affordable tuition and flexible payment plans to help students graduate debt-free.
The comprehensive hybrid learning program at Chicago Dental Assistant School includes in-person labs at a local office once a week, paired with at-home learning through self-paced online lectures during the week.
The curriculum is taught by passionate and knowledgeable school instructors.
Each week consists of a combination of pre-recorded lectures, online learning activities, and hands-on skills.
Lectures, online modules, and activities are completed by students during the week at their own pace.
These assignments are due weekly.
Tuition for this program is $2,750 if paid in full.
Contact Information
- Address: 630 Milwaukee Ave, Suite 130, Glenview, IL 60025
- Phone: 630.862.4216
- Website: https://chicagodentalassistantschool.com
2Novera Dental Assisting Center
About the School
Novera Dental Assisting Center provides a curriculum designed to equip students with everything they need to start and excel in their new careers.
Students participate in clinicals that cover equipment operation, instruments and materials, dental anatomy, procedure tray setup, proper instrument sterilization, radiology and digital X-rays, lab duties, and job search preparation.
The center teaches and trains students in an actual operating dental office using the latest technology and up-to-date techniques.
The program is designed to give students maximum “hands-on” training and experience.
Tuition is $3,050 upfront or $320 per week for 10 weeks.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers:
- Introduction to Dentistry and the Dental Assistant
- Dental Terminology and Anatomy
- Preventive Dentistry and Nutrition
- Cavity Classification and Charting
- X-rays
- Dental Operations: Patients, Instrumentation, Moisture Control
Contact Information
- Address: 110 N. Larkin Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
- Phone: 630.862.4216
- Website: https://www.chicagodentalassistant.com
3Illinois Health Careers
Illinois Health Careers is a leading Illinois health career school.
The following health career courses are available: Dental Assistant, Orthodontic Assistant, Orthodontic & Dental Assistant, Medical Office Administrative, Billing & Coding Specialist, Coronal Polishing, Phlebotomy Program, and more.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assistant program available at Illinois Health Careers leads to a Certificate of Dental Assistant and can be completed in just 10 weeks.
The program is expanded over 20 modules, each 2.5 hours long.
The training modules cover topics such as Dental Anatomy, Dental Radiography, Dental Pharmacology, Dental Administrative work knowledge, Dental Clinical components, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 4709 N. Harlem Ave, Harwood Heights, IL 60706
- Phone: (224) 246-2694
- Website: https://www.illinoishealthcareers.com
4Accelerated Academy
About the School
The Accelerated Academy offers a Dental program in Naperville, Illinois.
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
- Dental Radiography Certificate
- CPR/BLS Certificate
Students are job-ready in as few as 10 weeks.
Tuition is $2,799 for early registration and $3,179 for final registration.
Courses Offered
The program includes classes such as:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting, Sterilization, and CPR/BLS
- Radiology
- Impressions
- Crown and Bridge
- Endodontics, Orthodontics, Periodontics, and Pedodontics
- Oral Surgery Implants, Parials, and Dentures
- Office Management, OSHA, State Guidelines, Seating a Patient, and Charting
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 133 Aspen Sq Ste H, Denham Springs, LA 70726, Mailing Address, P.O. Box 1120
- Phone: (844) 727-3755
- Website: https://www.acceleratedacademy.us
5North Shore Dental Assisting Academy
About the School
North Shore Dental Assisting Academy offers a curriculum that focuses on learning that prepares students to assist the dentist in the delivery of dental treatment and to function as an integral member of a dental team while performing chairside functions and laboratory procedures.
Students train to become dental assistants in just ten weeks with an accelerated hands-on curriculum.
During the course, students receive in-depth instructional training and hands-on education in many aspects of dentistry, including:
- Clinical procedures
- Dental materials
- Radiology
- And more
Students must be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Contact Information
- Address: 740 Florsheim Dr. #12, Libertyville, IL 60048
- Phone: (224) 477-4820
- Website: https://www.nsdentalassisting.com
6Midwestern Career College
About the School
Midwestern Career College offers a dental assisting program that prepares individuals to work as Dental Assistants in Chicago, Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, and the surrounding communities under the supervision of dentists and dental hygienists.
The program includes instruction in medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient care, scheduling, equipment maintenance and sterilization, basic radiography, and more.
About the School
Graduates are able to:
- Take dental radiographs
- Prepare patients and equipment for dental procedures
- Discharge office administrative function and medical record-keeping
- Maintain equipment and sterilization
- Provide chairside assisting
- Take tooth and mouth impressions
Contact Information
- Address: 203 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60601
- Phone: 312-236-9000
- Website: https://mccollege.edu
7Springboard Dental Institute
About the School
Springboard Dental Institute offers quality education, flexible schedules, and job placement assistance.
Springboard graduates are approved by the American Medical Technologists to take the national Registered Dental Assistant Exam.
Fall tuition is $2,499 and includes:
- A $150 non-refundable registration fee
- A $350 deposit
- $1,999 for tuition
The tuition includes everything students need, including materials, fees, book rental, technology fee, etc.
Students are responsible for purchasing a set of scrubs.
Applicants need:
- A high school diploma, or equivalent, or letter of recommendation from their school
- Valid state-issued ID
- Be 18 years old or 16 years old with written parental permission
Contact Information
- Address:15028 Cicero Ave. Suite H, Oak Forest, IL 60452
- Phone:877-777-5509
- Website: https://www.springboarddentaltraining.com
8Advanced Dental Careers
Advanced Dental Careers is a premiere school for dental assistant education that has been training first-rate dental assistants for over 14 years.
The school serves the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area.
Dental assisting students are equipped with hands-on training through knowledge of cutting-edge technology.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers:
- Oral Anatomy
- Dental Terminology
- Patient Education
- CPR
- Impressions
- Radiology
- Sterilization Procedures
- Instrument & Equipment
- Reception & Front Desk
- Internship
Students participate in 40 hours of on-site training in a dental office.
The training teaches four-handed chairside assisting in all areas of general dentistry, including Crown & Bridge, Orthodontics, and Cosmetic Dentistry.
Contact Information
- Address: 2648 Osage, St. Louis, MO 63118
- Phone: 618-541-6949
- Website: https://www.advanceddentalcareers.com
9First Institute
First Institute offers medical and dental assistance training in Libertyville.
The school offers comprehensive training programs and convenient online courses in the fields of medical assisting and dental assisting.
Students gain a hands-on understanding of the field of their choice.
Courses Offered
The dental assisting program offered at First Institute includes administrative procedures, oral health, lab procedures, and specialties.
Students are training in a fully functioning dental laboratory where they learn:
- Administrative procedures
- Dental records, ethics, and HIPAA compliance
- Lab procedures
- Anatomy, morphology, and dental sciences
- Coronal polishing and dental sealants
- Dental radiology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1139 S Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048
- Phone: 847-440-2000
- Website: https://www.firstinstitute.edu
10B&DA Inc. Billing and Doctor's Assisting School
About the School
B&DA Inc. Billing and Doctor’s Assisting School is a technology and educational private business training organization that offers certificate programs designed to meet the standards and needs of individuals and businesses in the Chicagoland area.
The following programs are available at the school:
- Medical Assisting
- Clinical Dental Assisting
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Administrative Dental Assistant
- Clinical and Administrative Dental Assistant
- Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant
Courses Offered
The Clinical and Administrative Dental Assistant program provides students with the opportunity to gain work skills with all dental procedures, including:
- Taking radiographs and impressions
- Helping dentists by handing them instruments during procedures
- Working with documents, forms, and different dental software to schedule appointments
- Handling insurance claims
- Managing office accounting
Contact Information
- Address: 5309 N Lincoln Ave., Skokie, IL 60077
- Phone: 847-324-4019
- Website: https://banddainc.com
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 180 | $41,740 | $20.07 | $53,660 | $31,570 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 110 | $36,890 | $17.73 | $45,670 | $27,740 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 200 | $41,510 | $19.96 | $48,460 | $30,010 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 11,290 | $43,330 | $20.83 | $56,380 | $28,170 |
| Decatur, IL | 70 | $40,540 | $19.49 | $47,040 | $29,630 |
| Kankakee, IL | 50 | $36,740 | $17.66 | $46,350 | $30,770 |
| Peoria, IL | 310 | $41,000 | $19.71 | $46,960 | $30,820 |
| Rockford, IL | 350 | $42,360 | $20.37 | $48,040 | $35,530 |
| Springfield, IL | 210 | $40,210 | $19.33 | $47,150 | $29,960 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a rewarding career in the healthcare field, the dental assistant profession is worth exploring.
Now that you have read our list of the best dental assistant schools in Illinois, we encourage you to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your schedule, budget, and learning style.
