Discover a rewarding career as a Dental Assistant.
Our school provides the hands-on training you need to start making a difference helping others. Earn your certificate in as little as nine months.
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What is a Dental Assistant?
This program will equip you with the skills to:
- Assist dentists in exams and treatments
- Provide education to patients on proper oral healthcare
- Take X-ray examinations (Radiography)
Providing Quality Education Since 1972
More than 150,000 graduates and counting
Career Planning services and resources
Nationally accredited and state-licensed programs
Financial aid offered to those who qualify
Dental assistants help the dentist with all phases of treatment and ensure the appointment runs smoothly, creating an optimal patient experience and maximum efficiency.
The day-to-day duties of a dental assistant include assisting the dentist with oral care, easing patients’ anxieties and teaching patients the skills needed to maintain and improve oral health.
In addition, dental assistants take on administrative responsibilities such as scheduling, billing, answering phones and communicating with vendors and suppliers.
Students in the Dental Assistant certificate program will gain the knowledge and training to prepare patients for examination/treatment, take x-rays, sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, provide post-operative instruction, educate patients in proper oral healthcare and prepare materials for making impressions and restorations. The classes in this program cover how to perform both clerical and laboratory duties vital to an efficient dentist office environment.
Through classes taught by experienced instructors in labs that mirror real-world settings and hands-on training, students will gain the experience and confidence to enter the workforce right after graduation.
This certificate program will prepare graduates to apply their skills in a number of different roles, such as:
- Dental assistant
- Orthodontic assistant
- Oral surgery assistant
- Surgical dental assistant
They can work in a variety of environments:
- Solo dental practices
- Group practices
- Hospital dental clinics
- Dental school clinics
- Specialty practices
Related career opportunities include:
- Working as a dental product sales representative
- Processing dental claims for insurance companies
- Educating future dental assistants
Earn your Dental Assistant certificate in approximately 9 months
You can work in physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics and outpatient medical facilities.
Tia S.
DENTAL ASSISTANT • SEATTLE CAMPUS
I’m so appreciative to my instructors at Pima Medical. Everyone was so kind and helpful and cared about each student. I love my new career and my new job.
Jordyn S.
DENTAL ASSISTANT GRADUATE • PHOENIX CAMPUS
My Pima Medical experience not only provided me with the skills for a great job, but it instilled me with confidence.
Jason G.
DENTAL ASSISTANT GRADUATE • SEATTLE CAMPUS
I chose Pima Medical Institute’s Dental Assistant program because it was short (only 9 months) and I could attend morning classes and continue to teach music in the afternoon and evenings.
When comparing dental assistant programs in Arizona , Pima Medical Institute stands out for its hands-on training, real-world experience and faculty who support you every step of the way. Our Dental Assistant program in Mesa, Phoenix and Tucson prepares you to assist with exams, procedures, and patient care in a clinical setting from day one. Your healthcare career in Arizona starts here.
When comparing dental assistant programs in California, Pima Medical Institute stands out for its hands-on training, real-world experience and faculty who support you every step of the way. Our Dental Assistant program in Chula Vista and San Marcos prepares you to assist with exams, procedures, and patient care in a clinical setting from day one. Your healthcare career in California starts here.
When comparing dental assistant programs in Colorado, Pima Medical Institute stands out for its hands-on training, real-world experience and faculty who support you every step of the way. Our Dental Assistant program in Aurora, Colorado Springs and Denver prepares you to assist with exams, procedures, and patient care in a clinical setting from day one. Your healthcare career in Colorado starts here.
When comparing dental assistant programs in Nevada, Pima Medical Institute stands out for its hands-on training, real-world experience and faculty who support you every step of the way. Our Dental Assistant program in Las Vegas prepares you to assist with exams, procedures, and patient care in a clinical setting from day one. Your healthcare career in Nevada starts here.
When comparing dental assistant programs in New Mexico, Pima Medical Institute stands out for its hands-on training, real-world experience and faculty who support you every step of the way. Our Dental Assistant program in Albuquerque prepares you to assist with exams, procedures, and patient care in a clinical setting from day one. Your healthcare career in New Mexico starts here.
When comparing dental assistant programs in Texas, Pima Medical Institute stands out for its hands-on training, real-world experience and faculty who support you every step of the way. Our Dental Assistant program in El Paso, Houston and San Antonio prepares you to assist with exams, procedures, and patient care in a clinical setting from day one. Your healthcare career in Texas starts here.
When comparing dental assistant programs in Washington, Pima Medical Institute stands out for its hands-on training, real-world experience and faculty who support you every step of the way. Our Dental Assistant program in Renton and Seattle prepares you to assist with exams, procedures, and patient care in a clinical setting from day one. Your healthcare career in Washington starts here.
The Dental Assistant program is offered at the following campuses:*
Arizona
Mesa
Phoenix
Tucson
California
Chula Vista
San Marcos
Colorado
Aurora
Colorado Springs
Denver
Nevada
Las Vegas
New Mexico
Albuquerque
Texas
El Paso
Houston
San Antonio
Washington
Renton
Seattle
*Not all programs are offered at all campuses
FAQs
Does Pima Medical’s Dental Assistant program offer online learning options?
Hybrid, often referred to as blended or partially online classes, are available at select campuses for the Dental Assistant program for students seeking greater schedule flexibility. Hybrid courses meet online three days a week and in person two days a week. However, externship components are completed fully in person. Although our dental assistant program is not fully online, our hybrid model prepares students with hands-on learning and real-world experience while still offering the flexibility of online programs.
Pima Medical’s hybrid experience is a structured online education combined with hands-on lab practice and features:
- Flexibility to balance personal and professional obligations
- Hands-on learning in our real-world lab classrooms
- Online learning, led by instructors with years of experience in their fields
- Support services like mental health resources, tutoring and more
- Externship placement
- Ongoing support throughout your education and career
Is Pima Medical accredited?
Yes. Pima Medical Institute is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). In addition, many of our individual programs hold programmatic accreditations specific to their fields, ensuring our students receive quality, industry-recognized education.
What kind of financial aid is available?
There are a variety of financial aid options for those who qualify, including federal grants, loans and scholarships. Our dedicated financial services team is here to help guide you through the entire process.
How does Pima Medical help with job placement after graduation?
Our Career Services team is dedicated to helping students from enrollment all the way through graduation and beyond. Through resources like resume building, interview preparation, job search strategies and employer connections, we want to help you be successful. We have strong relationships with many of the major healthcare organizations across our markets.
What is the application process?
It’s as simple as filling out a form on the website or giving one of our admissions support specialists a call. From there, our team will assist you as you complete an application, schedule an admissions meeting, tour the campus (in-person or virtually), and take any required entrance assessments. From there, your advisor will walk you through enrollment and your financial aid options.
