Trade Schools
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by Washington dental assistants was $54,190 as of May 2023, higher than the national average for this profession.
Dental assisting is a recession-proof profession that is expected to continue to grow in the future.
According to BLS, employment for this profession is projected to grow 8 percent by 2033, resulting in 54,900 new job openings across the nation.
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
- Handing instruments to dentists during procedures
- Scheduling patient appointments
- And more
Washington is home to many trade schools and community colleges that can prepare you for a career in this profession in less than one year.
On this page, we have compiled information about ten of the best options.
1Tacoma Dental Assistant School
About the School
Tacoma Dental Assistant School provides a dental assistant course that is 12 weeks long.
The hybrid course has helped 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 Tacoma 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.
Each week, students attend a 4.5-hour class dedicated to helping students learn and perfect their lab skills in a real dental office in Tacoma.
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.
The assignments are due weekly.
Contact Information
- Address: 1718 S 288th St. Federal Way, WA 98003
- Phone: (253) 316-8937
- Website: https://tacomadentalassistant.com
2Washington AGD Dental Assistant School
Washington AGD Dental Assistant School helps students receive a Dental Certificate and become Registered Dental Assistants in just 30 days.
Students attend five days per week and gain 160 hours of knowledge.
They gain access to classroom and clinical settings.
Tuition for this program is $5,000.
Courses Offered
The program outline includes:
- The Professional Dental Assistant
- Dental Ethics
- Dentistry & the Law
- The Patient Record
- The Dental Office
- Delivering Dental Care
- Head and Neck Academy
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 19415 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188-5308
- Phone: (206) 531-7749
- Website: https://waagddentalassistantschool.org
3Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School
About the School
Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School offers a program that combines hybrid online training and real patient experience.
Dental assistants are responsible for helping patients relax before treatment, sterilizing dental equipment, preparing treatment rooms, assisting dentists during procedures, scheduling patient appointments, and helping resolve billing and insurance issues.
Students must complete a 50-hour hands-on internship.
The school offers students the opportunity to complete their internship at an on-site dental practice.
The 12-week Dental Assisting program includes:
- Introduction to Dental Assisting and Tooth Anatomy
- Preventive Care
- Radiography Safety and Techniques
- Pain and Anxiety Control
- Restorative Dentistry
- Provisional Coverage
- Medical Emergencies
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 19301 SE 34th St, #105, Camas, WA 98607
- Phone: (360) 706-1989
- Website: https://www.schoolofdentalassisting-vancouver.com
4West Coast College of Dental Assisting
About the School
West Coast College of Dental Assisting prepares students for one of the most in-demand career paths they can choose.
The school offers a combination of hands-on training and online instruction.
The program is a combination of in-class hands-on training and online study.
Students may select either day or evening classes.
The school provides small class sizes and one-on-one instruction.
College classes are taught in a dental office environment which gives students the opportunity to see what it’s like to work in the field.
Students have in-class hands-on training from the first day, learning one-on-one from experts in the field of dental assisting.
They study lectures and procedures via online access to enhance their training.
Contact Information
- Address: 18321 98th Ave NE Suite 2, Bothell, Washington 98011
- Phone: (425) 420-4738
- Website: https://www.bothelldentalassistants.com
5Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Lake Washington Institute of Technology offers a Dental Assistant pathway that trains students the skills to excel as competent and ethical Dental Assistants.
Students learn in state-of-the-art facilities from dedicated instructors.
Graduates are able to secure positions in pediatric dentistry periodontics, preventive dentistry, community clinics, education, and research sectors.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes classes such as:
- Essentials of Dental Assisting
- Dental Sciences
- Dental Radiography
- Essentials of Dental Assisting II
- Dental Sciences II
- Clinical Externship
In total, the Certificate program includes 25 credits.
Contact Information
- Address: 11605 132nd Avenue NE, Kirkland, WA 98034
- Phone: (425) 739-8100
- Website: https://www.lwtech.edu
6Edmonds College
The Dental Assistant program at Edmonds College trains students to assist the dentist during chair-side procedures and perform laboratory, radiology, and administrative procedures.
Students learn neck anatomy, dental instruments, equipment and chairside procedures, manipulation of dental materials, x-ray techniques, disinfection and sterilization procedures, and more.
Administrative coursework includes business office skills such as scheduling and billing, ethical and legal aspects of dentistry, and communication skills.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following courses:
- The Human Body
- Introduction to Healthcare
- Orientation to Dental Assisting
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Dental Sciences
- Dental Radiography
- Dental Materials/Lab Procedures
- And more
Tuition for this program is approximately $5,200.
Contact Information
- Address: 20000 68th Ave. W Lynnwood, WA 98036
- Phone: 425.640.1459
- Website: https://www.edmonds.edu
7Clover Park Technical College
About the School
Clover Park Technical College offers a Dental Assistant program.
This is a hybrid program that provides students with valued hands-on experience.
The program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Association.
The college provides a Dental Assistant Associate of Applied Technology degree.
This program is approximately five quarters long.
Courses Offered
Students take courses such as:
- General Studies
- Biomedical Sciences
- Dental Sciences
- Dental Specialties
- Dental Assisting Skills
- Dental Terminology & Procedures
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood WA 98499-4004
- Phone: 253-589-5800
- Website: https://www.cptc.edu
8Spokane Community College
Spokane Community College offers an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Assisting.
This accredited program equips students with the skills and knowledge to care for patients as an important part of the dental team.
Students learn the skills to assist dentists with charting, instruments, x-rays, patient orientation, and office management.
Courses Offered
The following degree options are available:
- Associate in Applied Science in Dental Assisting
- Certificate in Dental Assisting
Students learn how to perform tasks such as:
- Performing basic chairside assisting techniques
- Identifying and utilizing instruments
- Comprehending dental terminology
- Scheduling patients for various treatments
- Performing dental assisting expanded functions
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1810 N Greene Street, Spokane, WA 99217-5399
- Phone: 509-533-8400
- Website: https://scc.spokane.edu
9Seattle Dental Assistant School
Courses Offered
Seattle Dental Assistant School provides a dental assistant course that is 12 weeks long.
The hybrid course has helped 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 includes in-person labs at a local office once a week, paired with at-home learning through self-paced online lectures during the week.
Each week, students attend a 4.5-hour class dedicated to helping students learn and perfect their lab skills in a real dental office in Seattle.
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.
If paid in full, tuition for this program is $3,890.
Contact Information
- Address: 11066 5th Ave. NE, #208, Seattle, WA 98125
- Phone: (206) 279-8787
- Website: https://seattledentalassistant.com
10Bates Technical College
Bates Technical College offers a Dental Assisting program accredited by the Commission on Dental Association.
The program combines study in the classroom, lab, and clinical internships.
The program is 11 months long.
Students take the Dental Assisting National Board exam throughout the program to obtain national certification as dental assistants.
Courses Offered
The following degree options are available:
- Dental Assisting Associate in Applied Science- a 90-credit program
- Dental Assisting Certificate of Competency- a 75-credit program
Applicants need:
- A high school diploma or GED
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Pass a clear national and Washington state background check
Contact Information
- Address: 101 S. Yakima, Tacoma, WA 98405
- Phone: 253.680.7000
- Website: https://www.batestech.edu
Regional Salary in Washington
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | 340 | $52,580 | $25.28 | $60,410 | $40,310 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale, WA | 440 | $52,330 | $25.16 | $61,100 | $38,400 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 560 | $50,560 | $24.31 | $59,370 | $38,370 |
| Longview, WA | 180 | $48,940 | $23.53 | $57,330 | $37,100 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 200 | $52,280 | $25.14 | $61,660 | $39,210 |
| Olympia-Tumwater, WA | 480 | $52,260 | $25.13 | $61,120 | $39,420 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 6,580 | $57,680 | $27.73 | $68,700 | $48,890 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 1,030 | $48,220 | $23.18 | $55,500 | $39,310 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 90 | $49,100 | $23.61 | $58,740 | $37,480 |
| Wenatchee, WA | 220 | $49,080 | $23.6 | $57,780 | $37,690 |
| Yakima, WA | 440 | $45,870 | $22.06 | $58,250 | $35,030 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
The state of Washington is home to many trade schools and community colleges that can prepare you for a career in dental assisting in less than a year.
Now that you have read our selection, it’s time to continue the research and choose the format that best fits your lifestyle.
