Trade Schools
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage reported by West Virginia dental assistants was $39,890 as of May 2023.
Dental assisting, as a profession, is expected to continue to grow in the future.
Employment for this profession is projected to grow 8 percent by 2033, resulting in 54,900 new job openings across the nation, according to BLS.
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
West Virginia is home to many schools that can prepare you for a career in this profession in less than one year.
The programs are typically flexible to allow students to keep a full-time job while preparing for a new career.
To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled information about ten of the best options.
1West Virginia Junior College
About the School
West Virginia Junior College provides students with a structured educational and training plan designed for quick entry into specific career areas.
The college experience begins with classroom instruction, continues with hands-on training, and culminates in career services.
Students learn how to perform tasks such as:
- Exposing and Developing X-rays
- Mixing Dental Cement
- Scheduling Procedures
- Performing Sterilization and Disinfection Techniques
- Providing Oral Care Instruction to Patients
- Managing Patient Records
- And more
The skills are developed by online dental assisting students through a combination of clinical days and in-home simulations.
Students have the flexibility to complete coursework while balancing family and work responsibilities.
Contact Information
- Address: 5514 Big Tyler Road, Cross Lanes, WV 25313
- Phone: (304) 296-8282
- Website: https://www.wvjc.edu
2Parkersburg West Virginia University
About the School
Parkersburg West Virginia University offers a 90-hour Dental Assistant Program that prepares students for entry-level positions in the field of Dental Assisting.
The purpose of this course is to familiarize students with all areas of pre-clinical dental assisting and provide training in the professional skills required to function as an assistant in a dental practice.
The course covers the following areas and topics:
Administrative Aspects: the history of dentistry and dental assisting, introduction to the dental office, the legal aspects of dentistry, policies, and guidelines
Clinical Aspects: introduction to oral anatomy, dental operatory, dental equipment, introduction to tooth structure, primary and permanent teeth, the oral cavity and related structures, proper patient positioning, dental hand-pieces, sterilization, and other topics.
Contact Information
- Address: WVU Parkersburg 300 Campus Drive Parkersburg, WV 26104
- Phone: 304-424-8000
- Website: https://www.wvup.edu
3Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College
About the School
Eastern West Virginia Community & Technical College offers an Online Dental Assisting Program that prepares students for entry-level positions in one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions.
This program aims to familiarize students with all areas of administrative and clinical dental assisting focusing on the responsibilities needed to function as an assistant in a dental practice.
This self-paced program can be completed in six months.
The courses covered by the curriculum include Medical Terminology, Medical Administration, and Dental Assisting.
This program costs $2,098.
Students are eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board Radiation Health and Safety and Infection Control exams for certification.
They may also take the Medical Administrative Assistant Certification through NHA.
Contact Information
- Address: 316 Eastern Drive, Moorefield, West Virginia 26836
- Phone: 877-982-2322
- Website: https://easternwv.edu
4Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
About the School
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College offers a three-month, fast-paced Dental Assisting Certification.
This program provides students with practical and academic training to develop the skills needed to perform as an assistant in a dental practice.
Students learn foundational concepts of Dentistry and Dental Assisting.
They develop competencies to manage various clinical tasks and responsibilities.
Students prepare to seek employment in dentist offices, hospitals, and similar facilities.
The program is available in a hybrid format, and it provides awareness of the legal aspects of dentistry and dental assisting as well as clinical concepts.
Students learn clinical concepts such as oral anatomy, tooth structure, primary and permanent teeth, oral cavity and related structures, dental anesthesia, and more.
Contact Information
- Address: 13650 Apple Harvest Drive Martinsburg, WV 25403
- Phone: 304-260-4380
- Website: https://www.blueridgectc.edu
5Carver Career and Technical Education Center
Carver Career and Technical Education Center offers a two-year Dental Assisting program that provides the basic vocabulary and procedures necessary to function as a dental assistant to the dentist.
Before moving to the on-the-job training part, students experience in-house clinical rotation in the Carver Dental Clinic located on campus.
Students learn chair-side dental assisting, dental anatomy, laboratory procedures, digital radiology, office procedures, and in-house clinical rotation in the Carver Dental Clinic.
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Dental Assisting
- Supervised Dental Clinical Exp
- Foundations of Health Science
- Dental Assistant Clinical Practice
- And more
The program is designed to prepare students for employment as dental assistants and to take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination.
Contact Information
- Address: 4799 Midland Dr, Charleston, WV 25306
- Phone: 304-348-1965
- Website: https://ccc.kana.k12.wv.us
6Mercer Country Technical Education Center
About the School
Mercer Country Technical Education Center offers a Dental Assisting full-time day program for adult students.
The program can be completed in ten months.
This program costs $5,200.
Instruction and career training consists of 1,080 hours that cover dental care and oral health.
The adult Dental Assisting program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and the Council on Occupational Education.
Instruction and training include classroom lectures and discussions, laboratory demonstrations and practice, as well as clinical assignments in local dental offices.
A minimum course completion score of 80% is required to progress to the next course.
Students attend courses Monday to Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
Financial aid is available.
Contact Information
- Address: 1397 Stafford Drive, Princeton, WV 24740
- Phone: 304-425-9551
- Website: https://boe.merc.k12.wv.us/o/mctec
7Huntington Junior College
About the School
Huntington Junior College is a comprehensive, open-admission private institution based in Huntington, West Virginia.
The college offers a Dental Assisting program that teaches the skills and techniques required to help keep a professional dental practice running smoothly and providing exceptional oral care.
Students learn how to:
- Assist during dental procedures and exams
- Perform routine dental cleanings, polishing, and fluoride treatments
- Take and process X-rays
- Sterilize and organize dental tools
- Update patient records
- Prep exam rooms between patients
Courses Offered
The curriculum includes:
- Dental Anatomy
- Dental Instruments and Procedures
- Chairside Assisting
- Dental Office Management
- Anatomy
- Dental Externship
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 900 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701
- Phone: 304-697-7550
- Website: https://hjc.edu
8Ross Medical Education Center
About the School
Ross Medical Education Center has two campuses in Charleston and Morgantown.
Once students complete the program, they are prepared to seek entry-level positions as a dental assistant or receptionist, insurance clerk, supply salesperson, and/or administrative assistant.
Courses Offered
The Dental Assistant program introduces students to clinical as well as administrative skills relevant to the dental office.
Students learn how to perform tasks such as:
- Radiograph processing
- Preparing and disposing of anesthetic
- Taking and recording vital signs
- Taking impressions
- Terminology
- Preparing a new patient chart
- Filing medical records
- Scheduling appointments
- Dental radiography and clinical procedures
- And more
The program also includes a six-week externship.
Contact Information
- Address: 5707 MacCorkle Avenue Southeast, Charleston, WV 25304
- Phone: (304) 925-5645
- Website: https://rosseducation.edu/campus/wv/charleston.php
9Cornerstone Dental Assistant Academy
Cornerstone Dental Assistant Academy offers a 13-week course held inside a successful practicing dental office.
Classes are held every Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The curriculum is taught through classroom lectures and hands-on training.
During weeks 6-12 students are required to complete a 60-hour externship at an office of their choice.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers:
- 3D Scanning
- Proper charting
- Dental terminology
- Infection control and sterilization
- Prepare the dental operatory for dental procedures
- Identify dental instrumentation
- Patient education and home care
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 36 N Main Street Washington, PA15301
- Phone: 412-779-2843
- Website: https://www.cornerstonedentalassistantacad.com
10Reynolds Community College
About the School
Located in the neighboring state of Virginia, 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 West Virginia
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley, WV | 140 | $40,690 | $19.56 | $49,060 | $30,500 |
| Charleston, WV | 270 | $39,230 | $18.86 | $47,280 | $30,410 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | 260 | $39,250 | $18.87 | $47,810 | $30,370 |
| Morgantown, WV | 130 | $41,370 | $19.89 | $59,980 | $31,570 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | 80 | $37,810 | $18.18 | $46,670 | $30,140 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | 60 | $40,350 | $19.4 | $47,440 | $34,210 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | 120 | $39,950 | $19.21 | $50,560 | $30,810 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you want to start a career as a dental assistant, the schools included in our list can prepare you for your first job in the field in less than a year.
Now that you have read our selection of the best dental assistant schools in West Virginia, it’s time to continue the research and choose the format and the school that best fits your lifestyle.
