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 dental assistants in Virginia was $47,630
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
- Drying patients’ mouths using suction hoses and other equipment
- 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 Virginia.
1Practical Dental Assisting
Practical Dental Assisting offers a certificate program that prepares students for a career in dental assisting.
The program can be completed in nine months and includes a 160-hour externship.
Students learn in a state-of-the-art classroom.
Courses Offered
The program covers:
- Introduction to Dentistry
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Preventive Dentistry
- Sterilization and Infection Control
- Dental Materials
- Dental Specialties
- And more
This program costs $9,650 and includes:
- Textbook
- Personalized Note Binder
- Dental Study Models
- Scrub Jacket
- All Materials and Lab Fees
- Membership to Dental Dive Dynasty
Contact Information
- Address: 348 Southport Circle, Suite 102, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
- Phone: (757) 239-0652
- Website: https://www.practicaldentalassisting.com
2Dental Careers Foundation
Dental Careers Foundation helps students reach their career goals as dental assistants.
Students are taught in a premier dental office and learn from dental professionals who practice and teach the most current and up-to-date methods.
Dental Careers Foundation is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for VA.
Courses Offered
The course outline includes:
- Dental Theory and Terminology
- Four-Handed Dental Assisting
- Radiology
- Impressions and Model Trimming
- Types of cement and Liners
- Sterilization Techniques
- Job Interview Preparation and Constructing a Professional Resume
- Dental Office Internship
Contact Information
- Address: 1436 S. Independence Blvd. Virginia Beach, 23462
- Phone: 757-289-4543
- Website: https://yourdentalcareer.com
3Northern Virginia Community College
About the School
Northern Virginia Community College offers a Dental Assisting program that prepares students for a fulfilling career helping people improve their oral health.
The certificate program can be completed in one year.
Students learn how to perform chairside assisting, minor laboratory, and basic office procedures.
The curriculum includes courses in chairside assisting, radiology, dental materials, dental and biomedical sciences, and preclinical and lab sessions.
Students perfect their skills through clinical rotations in local dental offices.
After graduation, you will have what you need to become a productive and valued dental health team member.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Examination.
Those who pass the exam earn the Certified Dental Assistant credential.
The program awards 43 credits.
Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award a certificate in dental assisting.
The Dental Assisting program is also accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Contact Information
- Address: 5000 Dawes Ave, Alexandria, VA 22311
- Phone: 703.323.3000
- Website: https://www.nvcc.edu
4Today's Dentist Dental Assisting School
About the School
Today’s Dentist Dental Assisting School offers the longest-running dental assisting program in Williamsburg.
Classes meet in person for ten consecutive Saturdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The course includes a student book, scrubs and PPE, lab materials, dental radiology safety certification, and CPR certification.
The topics covered are:
- Dental Theory
- Anatomy and Terminology
- All aspects of four-handed dentistry
- OSHA, HIPAA
- Radiology
- Sterilization
Students complete lecture material as well as clinical hands-on training.
They also have to complete home study hours plus a voluntary 10-15 hours of practical on-the-job training.
Students are also encouraged to complete in-office observation hours.
Tuition for this program is $5,900.
Contact Information
- Address: 7450 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188
- Phone: (757)-778-7444
- Website: https://todaysdentalassistant.net
5Dental Assistant Training Schools of Maryland and Virginia
About the School
Dental Assistant Training Schools of Maryland and Virginia provide a hands-on, 11-week program.
The program helps students earn a Dental Assistant Certificate in only three months.
Classes are held on nights and weekends.
The program is designed to equip students with all the clinical skills necessary to start a successful career as a dental assistant.
This program costs $3,500 in total.
This includes $2,800 for tuition and $700 for books and materials.
After graduation, students meet the requirements necessary to apply to take the approved Radiation Health and Safety exam administered by the Dental Assistant National Board.
Courses Offered
The program covers topics such as:
- The History of Dentistry
- OSHA; Sterilization
- Equipment and Office Familiarization
- Restorative Materials
- Study Models
- Four-Handed Dentistry
- Office Management
- Foundations of Radiology
- Intraoral Radiography
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 9942 Main St, Fairfax, VA 22031
- Phone: 877-777-8719
- Website: https://www.datsmdva.com
6Fortis Institute
About the School
Fortis Institute offers a Dental Assisting program in Richmond, Virginia.
The Dental Assistant program teaches students how to provide educational, preventative, and clinical therapeutic services to the public and promote health and dental hygiene.
After completing the program students are prepared for entry-level employment opportunities as dental assistants in a variety of work environments.
Students learn hands-on strategies and techniques to work in the treatment or operation room directly with the dentist.
To qualify for admission at Fortis College, in most cases, students need to be a high school graduate of its equivalent.
All applicants are required to complete a personal information sheet.
A personal interview with the admissions staff also takes place.
Financial aid options are available for students who qualify.
Contact Information
- Address: 2000 Westmoreland Street, Suite A. Richmond, VA 23230
- Phone: (804) 323-1020
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu/campuses/virginia/richmond.html
7ECPI University
About the School
ECPI University offers a Dental Assistant program that prepares students to assist in the delivery of quality oral health care and become valuable members of the dental care team.
The program covers the fundamental areas of dental assisting, including radiographic, clinical, and administrative procedures.
Students attain skills in chairside, clinical, practice management, radiographic, and laboratory procedures.
They also demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully complete the Dental Assisting National Examination.
Courses Offered
The core curriculum covers 36 semester credit hours with classes such as:
- Dental Anatomy
- Introduction to Dental Assisting
- Dental Fundamentals
- Community Health
- Dental Chairside Assisting
- Dental Materials
- Dental Practice Management
- Medical Terminology
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 5555 Greenwich Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23462
- Phone: 844 334 4466
- Website: https://www.ecpi.edu
8Morrison Education Center
About the School
Morrison Education Center provides students with a well-rounded education in the healthcare profession through labs, lectures, and internships.
Programs are available for students who have recently completed high school or are looking to change careers.
Students also complete 88 hours of internship, practicing the skills they learn during lab and lecture under the supervision of highly experienced dentists and dental assistants.
They graduate with confidence and are ready for the dental field.
The topics included in the program are dental insurance, tooth anatomy, dental instruments, OSHA, study models, four-handed dentistry, crowns, oral surgery, and more.
Training takes place in the school’s state-of-the-art dental office using advanced dental technology.
Class sizes are kept small to allow time for questions, answers, and review with the instructors.
Students are provided with hands-on experience in all areas of dental assisting using the treatment rooms, laboratory, digital x-ray facilities, and office area.
Contact Information
- Address: 7151 Richmond Rd, Suite 306, Williamsburg, VA 23188
- Phone: (757) 818-4999
- Website: https://morrisoneducationcenter.com
9Centura College
About the School
Centura College provides a Dental Assistant program that can be completed in 12 months.
The program leads to a diploma.
Day courses take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Night courses take place from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
The program scones skills in creating temporary crowns, dentures and bridges, and other dental products.
In just 48 weeks, the Dental Assistant program offers 42 credit hours through 14 courses, including:
- Dental Emergency Management
- Dental Psychology
- Dental Radiology
- Dental Specialties
Contact Information
- Address: 4455 South Blvd. Virginia Beach, VA 23452
- Phone: 877-523-9528
- Website: https://www.centuracollege.edu
10Reynolds Community College
About the School
Reynolds Community College offers a Dental Assisting program that leads to a Certificate.
Students have the following learning options: in-person, hybrid, and online.
The program can be completed in just one year.
The in-state tuition per credit hour is $176.
The program awards 44 credit hours.
Students learn skills like chair-side assistance, radiography, lab management, and patient care, under the supervision of experienced instructors.
They learn valuable real-world experience.
The program includes more than 300 hours of clinical training and is designed to prepare students for the workforce and also qualify them for the Dental Assisting National Board Certification Examination.
The curriculum includes
- Introduction to Oral Health Professions
- Chairside Assisting
- Dental Radiology and Practicum
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1651 East Parham Road, Richmond, Virginia
- Phone: (804) 371-3000
- Website: https://reynolds.edu
Regional Salary in Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 70 | $40,040 | $19.25 | $59,520 | $29,050 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 260 | $45,540 | $21.9 | $58,760 | $34,990 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 160 | $42,860 | $20.61 | $54,990 | $31,730 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 190 | $42,500 | $20.43 | $57,430 | $30,170 |
| Richmond, VA | 1,550 | $46,570 | $22.39 | $60,390 | $35,960 |
| Roanoke, VA | 280 | $44,400 | $21.35 | $59,080 | $31,110 |
| Staunton-Waynesboro, VA | 120 | $42,990 | $20.67 | $55,110 | $33,520 |
| Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC | 1,700 | $45,720 | $21.98 | $56,410 | $36,090 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 170 | $42,850 | $20.6 | $57,780 | $31,020 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Virginia is home to many trade schools and community colleges that can prepare you for a career in dental assisting in less than a year through a combination of classroom and hands-on education.
Now that you have read our selection, it’s time to continue the research and choose the format that best fits your lifestyle.
