Trade Schools
If you want to start a recession-proof career in the dental field, the dental assisting profession is worth exploring.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by Vermont dental assistants was $53,860- higher than the national average for this profession.
Before being ready to apply for your first job in this profession, you have to learn to perform the tasks that will be included in your job description, tasks such as:
- Preparing patients and work areas for procedures
- Sterilizing dental instruments
- Instructing patients on proper oral hygiene
- Processing x-rays
- Scheduling patient appointments
- And more
These skills can be learned through a post-secondary program that typically can be completed in less than one year.
To help you choose the format that best meets your learning style, on this page, we have compiled information about the best training programs for those who want to start a career in dental assisting in Vermont.
1Burlington Technical Center
About the School
Burlington Technical Center offers a hybrid dental assistant program that is a collaboration between the Vermont Adult Career and Technical Association and the Vermont State Dental Society.
The program combines online coursework with hands-on, paid work-based learning experiences.
The curriculum covers dental anatomy, radiography, infection control, and chairside assisting.
Tuition for this course is $2,995.
Students also have the opportunity to gain practical experience in a dental office, working alongside experienced dental professionals.
This section provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations.
Courses Offered
- Address: 29 Church Street LL Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: (802) 864-8426
- Website: https://btc.bsdvt.org
2Vermont Tech
About the School
Vermont Tech offers a Clinical Dental Assistant program.
The program gives students the opportunity to prepare for the Certified Dental Assistant exam online.
The fully online course helps students gain the technical skills they need to join a dental office as a clinical dental assistant.
After completing the course, students receive vouchers to sit for the Anatomy, Morphology, Physiology, Infection Control, and Radiation Health and Safety portions of the Dental Assisting National Board exams.
The course objectives include:
- Real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants
- Information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care, and communication
- The basics of maintaining computerized clinical dental records using Dentrix Practice Management Software
Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent to sit for national exams.
Courses Offered
- Address: PO Box 500, 124 Admin Drive, Randolph Center, VT 05061
- Phone: (800) 442-8821
- Website: https://cewd.vtc.edu
3Southwest Tech
About the School
Southwest VT Regional Technical School District prepares students for college, careers, and community.
Southwest Tech currently has 14 daytime programs that offer two or three years of study as well as a variety of introductory classes for students grades 9-10th.
Courses Offered
Southwest Tech also trains students to become dental assistants in 6 to 12 months.
Students who complete the online program may pursue an optional clinical skills externship at a local practice.
The program leads to a certificate.
Tuition is $2,995.
Graduates are ready to become successful entry-level employees in a dental practice.
Many students qualify for tuition assistance.
Courses Offered
- Address: 321 Park Street, Bennington, VT 05201
- Phone: (802) 447-0220
- Website: https://www.svcdc.org
4St. Johnsbury Academy
St. Johnsbury Academy offers a hybrid Dental Assistant program that prepares students to provide high-quality care.
Courses Offered
This program teaches students every aspect of professional dental assisting, including:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Preventive Dentistry
- Patient Care and Communication
- Radiology
- Pharmacology
- Anesthesia
- Employment strategies
- And more
Students have the opportunity to be placed at a local participating dental practice so they can learn while they earn.
Tuition for this program is $3,500.
The 300-hour program is designed to be completed in 12 months.
Courses Offered
- Address: 1000 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819
- Phone: (802) 748-8171
- Website: https://stjacademy.org
5Vermont State University
About the School
Vermont State University offers a Clinical Dental Assistant program that can be completed online.
The program costs $2,995.
The comprehensive online dental assisting course provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to become dental assistants.
Students also prepare to pass the radiology, infection control, and anatomy and physiology portions of the Dental Assisting National Board examinations.
Courses Offered
Students learn how to:
- Describe the roles of each member of the dental team and twelve dental specialties
- Define the legal and ethical practice of dental assisting, including HIPAA
- Describe the chain of infection
- Outline the use, care, and preparation of dental instruments for patient care
- Set up equipment for anesthesia and sedation
- And more
Courses Offered
- Address: 124 Admin Drive, PO Box 500, Randolph Center, VT 05061
- Phone: 888.398.VTSU (8878)
- Website: https://vermontstate.edu/
6Vermont Adult Career & Technical Education Association
About the School
Vermont Adult Career & Technical Education Association offers a hybrid Dental Assisting program.
This comprehensive and in-demand online dental assisting course helps students equip for career success.
Students learn every aspect of professional dental assisting, including invaluable real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants and essential information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care and communication, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, assisting in specialty practices, employment strategies, and much more.
The program also gives learners the opportunity to explore the basics of maintaining computerized clinical dental records using Dentrix Practice Management software.
After completing the course, graduates have the opportunity to apply for an externship through which they will get real-life clinical assistant experience.
Tuition for this program is $3,500.
Courses Offered
- Address: 124 Admin Drive, Randolph Center, VT 05061 US
- Phone: 855.520.6806
- Website: https://careertraining.vermontstate.edu
7Center of Technology, Essex
Center of Technology, Essex, offers a variety of programs and academics in fields such as automotive technology, building technology, cosmetology, dental assisting, health professions, and more.
Courses Offered
Center of Technology, Essex, offers an Expanded Functions Dental Assisting program that provides didactic instruction, laboratory, and clinical exercises for advanced operative procedures.
The seven weeks of instruction include:
- 98 hours of didactic instruction
- 87 hours of laboratory practical experience before performing required clinical competencies under the direct supervision of a sponsoring dentist
The student’s externship will be with the sponsoring dentist or associates in practice if a primary dentist is unavailable
This program costs $9,500.
Courses Offered
- Address: 2 Educational Drive, Suite 200Essex Junction, VT 05452
- Phone: 802-879-5558
- Website: https://www.ewsd.org
8Borough of Manhattan Community College
Programs are also available online, at schools located in other states.
One such school is the Borough of Manhattan Community College.
About the School
Among many other career education paths, the Borough of Manhattan Community College offers a dental assisting program designed to provide students with real-world perspectives from experienced dental assistants.
This course is available fully online and helps students gain the technical skills they need in order to join a dental office as clinical dental assistants.
The coursework covers essential information about anatomy and physiology, preventive dentistry, patient care, radiology, pharmacology, employment strategies, and much more.
Students get to explore the basics of maintaining computerized clinical dental records using Dentrix Practice Management software.
There are no prerequisites to complete this course, but candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent to sit for national certification exams.
The curriculum includes The Dental Profession, Basic Dental Sciences, Dental Anatomy, Oral Pathology, Infection Control, Emergency Management, Oral Health and Nutrition, Introduction to Chairside Assisting, Anesthesia and Sedation, and many other topics.
Contact Information
- Address: 199 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007
- Phone: (212) 220-8000
- Website: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu
9Hudson Valley Community Colleg
About the School
Located in Troy, NY, Hudson Valley Community College offers a one-year online Dental Assisting certificate program that prepares students for a variety of tasks in the dental office, including sterilization of instruments, preparing materials for dental procedures, and performing office duties.
The program is only offered in an online format.
The college also offers a non-credit Alternative Dental Assisting Program for students who are currently working in the field and have more than 3,500 hours of work experience and CPR certification.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Dental Anatomy and Embryology
- Dental Assisting Radiology
- Dental Assisting Clinical Experience
- Dental Office Procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180
- Phone: (518) 629-4822
- Website: https://www.hvcc.edu
10State University of New York
About the School
The State University of New York offers a one-year online Dental Assisting certificate.
The program prepares students for a variety of tasks in the dental office, including:
- Sterilization of instruments
- Setting up dental materials
- Performing office duties
The program satisfied all requirements set by New York State to become Licensed Registered Dental Assistants.
The program awards 27 credits in total and can be completed 75% online.
Courses are semester-based, and classwork can be completed around students’ work and family commitments.
There is no set time when students are required to log in to attend classes.
The faculty that teach online classes are the same that students learn from on campus.
The State University of New York is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Contact Information
- Phone: 800-342-3811
- Website: https://explore.suny.edu
Regional Salary in Vermont
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | 240 | $56,840 | $27.33 | $70,040 | $47,480 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our list of the best training programs for those who want to start a career in dental assisting in Vermont, it’s time to choose the program that best fits your lifestyle and career aspirations.
Make sure you complete thorough research before making this important decision.
