Start your dental career chairside in under a year.
Train in our fully equipped dental operatory, choose day, evening or online blended classes, and finish with a 250-hour externship in a working dental office.
Train in a real dental operatory
Our Earth City lab is set up like a working dental office, with digital X-ray, sterilization units and a full operatory. You’ll practice every step one-on-one with your instructors.
What dental assistants do
Dental assistants keep the whole office running, from the chair to the lab to the front desk.
250 hours in a real dental office before you graduate
You’ll finish with a supervised externship in a local dental office, working alongside dentists and hygienists with real patients. Externship hours are daytime only.
Graduates are eligible to take the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) exam from DANB, the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) exam from AMT, and Missouri’s Basic Skills exam.
Your path to a dental assisting career
- Credential
- Dental Assisting certificate
- Length
- 35 weeks day 路 51 weeks evening
- Credits
- 31 credits 路 810 hours
- Format
- On campus or online blended
- Externship
- 250 hours, daytime only
- Campus
- 4260 Shoreline Dr, Earth City
What our graduates say
鈥溙切拇 is a wonderful place to learn. Not only has this school helped me with my career path, they have also helped me build strength and confidence within myself.鈥
Your spot in the dental office starts here
Classes are forming now. Next start: Day classes: Dec 21, 2026 (apply by Dec 11)Feb 8, 2027 (apply by Jan 29)Contact admissions for the next start date; Evening classes: Nov 16, 2026 (apply by Nov 6)Feb 1, 2027 (apply by Jan 22)Contact admissions for the next start date See all start dates
Our Earth City campus at 4260 Shoreline Drive is an easy drive from St. Louis County, St. Charles County and North County, just off I-70 at the Earth City Expressway.
Dental Assisting program questions
How long is the Dental Assisting program?
Day students finish in 35 weeks and evening students in 51 weeks, including a 250-hour externship. The program is 31 semester credits and 810 contact hours.
Can I take classes online?
Yes. In the online blended format, about 37% of the program is online through live remote classes on the regular class schedule, plus hands-on labs on our Earth City campus. Online blended classes are available to Missouri residents.
What certification can I earn?
Graduates are eligible for and encouraged to take the NELDA exam from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and the RDA exam from American Medical Technologists (AMT), plus Missouri’s Basic Skills exam.
Can I do my externship in the evenings?
No. Externship hours are daytime only, including for evening students.
What financial aid is available?
糖心传媒 is FAFSA approved, and eligible students may qualify for Pell Grants, scholarships and WIOA funding. Ask admissions what you qualify for.
What are the admission requirements?
You need a high school diploma or GED and must pass an entrance exam before enrolling.
