11 Best Dental Assistant Schools in Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College is one of the strongest public college options for dental assisting students in the city.

It is located in central Phoenix and is part of the Maricopa County Community College District, which makes it a practical choice for students who want a more traditional college setting instead of a short private academy.

This is a good fit for students who want structured coursework, college credit, and the option to continue into a longer academic pathway.

Programs Offered

Phoenix College offers dental assisting through both certificate and associate degree options.

Students can pursue a Certificate of Completion in Dental Assisting or continue toward an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Assisting.

The program is designed to prepare students for chairside assisting, dental office procedures, patient support, sterilization, dental materials, radiography, and basic front-office skills.

Tuition and Cost

Phoenix College is usually one of the more affordable options for Maricopa County residents.

The estimated in-state program cost is around $6,500 for the certificate pathway.

That may include approximately:

• Tuition: about $4,600
• Books: around $500
• Lab, uniform, and medical requirement fees: around $1,095
• Registration fee: around $45
• Supplies: around $250

Out-of-state students should expect a much higher total, often around $16,000 or more, depending on residency status and course load.

Program Length

The certificate pathway can usually be completed in about 1 year.

The associate degree pathway may take closer to 2 years, especially if students attend part-time or need general education courses.

Why It Stands Out

Phoenix College is a good option for students who want a recognized community college program instead of a fast-track private school.

It is especially useful for students who want a broader education, lower in-district tuition, and the possibility of earning college credits that may help with future healthcare education.

Phoenix Dental Assistant School is a short-term training option designed for students who want to get into the field quickly.

The program is usually held in a working dental office environment, which makes it appealing for students who want hands-on practice instead of a long, classroom-heavy program.

This school may be a good fit for beginners who want a faster and more affordable route into entry-level dental assisting.

Programs Offered

The school offers a Dental Assistant Program focused on the practical skills used in a dental office.

Students typically learn chairside assisting, sterilization, dental tools, impressions, patient care basics, dental terminology, and basic office workflow.

The program also includes training that can help students prepare for dental radiography-related responsibilities, depending on Arizona requirements and employer expectations.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition is approximately $3,650.

This is one of the lower-cost dental assistant training options in the Phoenix area.

Students should still budget for possible extra expenses such as:

• Registration or enrollment fees, if applicable
• Scrubs or uniforms
• Transportation
• CPR certification, if not included
• Exam or certification fees, if taken separately

Some short-term programs offer payment plans, and this school has advertised weekly payment options in the past.

Program Length

The program is approximately 12 weeks.

Why It Stands Out

The biggest advantage is speed.

A 12-week program can be attractive for students who do not want to spend 9 months to 2 years in school before applying for entry-level jobs.

The cost is also lower than that of many private career colleges.

Arizona School of Dental Assisting is located in the Phoenix area and focuses specifically on dental assistant training.

It is a good fit for students who want a career-focused school rather than a large college campus.

The school is built around hands-on learning, which is helpful because dental assisting is a very physical, skill-based job.

Students need to get comfortable with instruments, procedures, patient flow, and the pace of a dental office.

Programs Offered

The school offers a Dental Assisting Program that includes clinical and administrative training.

Students can expect instruction in chairside assisting, sterilization, impressions, dental instruments, dental materials, infection control, radiography preparation, and basic dental office procedures.

Some versions of the program may include externship or job-readiness support.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition is approximately $6,050.

That figure has been advertised as including:

• Tuition
• Fees
• Books
• Supplies
• Scrubs

This makes the cost easier to understand because students are not trying to guess how much extra they will need for materials.

Still, students should ask whether CPR, exam fees, background checks, and transportation to clinical sites are included.

Program Length

The program is approximately 12 weeks.

Why It Stands Out

Arizona School of Dental Assisting stands out because it offers a short program with an all-in cost structure.

For students comparing Phoenix-area dental assistant schools, that makes budgeting much easier.

Dental Assisting School of Arizona is located in Tempe, which is close enough for many Phoenix students, especially those living in the east or southeast part of the metro area.

The school is designed for students who want direct dental assistant training without spending years in college.

It may be a good fit for working adults, career changers, or students who want a smaller program with a straightforward schedule.

Programs Offered

The school offers a Dental Assisting course that covers the core skills needed for entry-level dental assisting.

Students typically study dental anatomy, infection control, sterilization, chairside assisting, dental materials, impressions, X-ray basics, and patient care.

The program also helps prepare students for a final dental assistant exam.

Tuition and Cost

The total cost is approximately $5,500.

That includes:

• Dental assisting course: about $5,300
• Registration fee: about $200
• Books and supplies are included in the course cost

Students should still ask whether uniforms, CPR, background checks, and certification exam fees are included or separate.

Program Length

The program is approximately 13 weeks.

Why It Stands Out

This is a good middle-ground option: shorter than a 9-month career college program, but still structured enough for beginners who want guided training.

The cost is also lower than many longer private college programs.

Carrington College has a Phoenix campus and is one of the better-known private career colleges in the area.

It may be a good fit for students who want a more traditional career college environment with labs, instructors, career services, and a longer training schedule than a 12-week academy offers.

Students who feel they need more time to learn, practice, and build confidence may prefer this kind of program.

Programs Offered

Carrington offers a Dental Assisting certificate program.

The program typically includes chairside assisting, infection control, dental radiography, dental materials, dental office procedures, patient care, and externship-style training.

The program is meant to prepare students for entry-level dental assistant roles in general dental offices, specialty offices, and clinics.

Tuition and Cost

Costs can vary by campus, year, and financial aid status.

A realistic planning range for Carrington’s Dental Assisting program is approximately $10,000 to $20,000.

Students should ask for a full cost sheet showing:

• Tuition
• Registration fees
• Books
• Uniforms
• Supplies
• Lab fees
• Technology fees
• Exam fees
• Externship-related costs

Some workforce training listings show program costs under $10,000 for certain dental assisting programs, while other tuition comparison data show higher totals for Carrington dental assisting programs.

Because of that, students should request the current Phoenix campus tuition breakdown before enrolling.

Program Length

The Dental Assisting certificate program can often be completed in about 9 to 11 months.

Why It Stands Out

Carrington is useful for students who want a longer, more structured program with career-college support.

It may be especially appealing to students who are nervous about jumping into a very short program and want more time in labs and classroom training.

Pima Medical Institute has a Mesa campus, making it a reasonable option for Phoenix-area students, especially those near the East Valley.

Pima is a healthcare career school with multiple allied health programs, so dental assisting students are learning in an environment focused on medical and clinical careers.

This may be a good fit for students who want a healthcare-school atmosphere and a program that is longer than a 12-week academy.

Programs Offered

Pima offers a Dental Assistant certificate program.

The program usually includes dental science, chairside assisting, radiography, infection control, dental materials, dental specialties, office procedures, and externship experience.

The program is designed for students seeking entry-level work in dental offices and clinics.

Tuition and Cost

Students should budget around $18,000 to $19,000 for the full program, depending on campus and current pricing.

A typical breakdown may include:

• Tuition: around $15,800 to $16,800
• Registration fee: around $150
• Textbooks: around $800 to $850
• Uniforms: around $200
• Technology or supply fees: around $250 to $300
• Certification or exam-related fees: may be extra or optional

Because private career college pricing can change, students should request a current cost sheet before signing an enrollment agreement.

Program Length

The program is approximately 9 months.

Why It Stands Out

Pima is a good option for students who want a healthcare-focused school with a more complete schedule than a short weekend-style program.

The externship component can also be helpful for students who want supervised real-world experience before applying for jobs.

UEI College has a Phoenix campus and offers career training programs for students who want a direct path into entry-level work. The school is designed for practical training rather than a traditional academic college experience.

It may be a good option for students who want a campus-based program, career services, and a schedule that can be completed in under a year.

Programs Offered

UEI offers a Dental Assistant training program.

The program includes classroom instruction, hands-on lab training, and practical skills for dental office work.

Students can expect to study chairside assisting, dental anatomy, X-ray procedures, infection control, dental materials, office procedures, and patient communication.

Tuition and Cost

Students should budget roughly $18,000 to $20,000 for UEI’s Phoenix-area career training programs, although the exact dental assistant cost should be confirmed directly with the campus.

Possible costs may include:

• Tuition
• Registration fee
• Books
• Supplies
• Uniforms
• Lab fees
• Technology fees
• Exam or certification preparation fees
• Financial aid may be available for students who qualify.

Program Length

The Dental Assistant program can be completed in as few as 10 months.

Why It Stands Out

UEI stands out for students who want a structured career-school program in Phoenix with hands-on labs and job-search support.

It is not the cheapest option, but it may work well for students who want a guided program with more support than a very short academy.

Brookline College is located in Phoenix and offers healthcare-focused programs.

It may be a good fit for students who prefer a private college environment and want a program that is more structured than a short-term dental assistant course.

Brookline is worth considering for students who want campus support, a defined schedule, and career-focused training.

Programs Offered

Brookline offers a Dental Assistant diploma or certificate-style pathway, depending on current campus catalog offerings.

The program usually focuses on clinical dental assisting, chairside procedures, infection control, radiography basics, dental materials, and dental office operations.

Students should ask whether the program includes externship experience, CPR preparation, and X-ray certification preparation.

Tuition and Cost

Dental assistant program costs at private colleges can vary widely.

Older Brookline tuition materials listed dental assistant program pricing around $18,000, while other school materials have discussed dental assisting program costs in the broader market as being lower.

A realistic planning range is approximately $15,000 to $20,000, unless the Phoenix campus provides a newer, lower figure.

Students should ask for a written breakdown of:

• Tuition
• Registration fees
• Books
• Supplies
• Uniforms
• Lab fees
• Technology fees
• Exam fees
• Externship costs

Program Length

Brookline has described its Dental Assisting program as one that can be completed in as few as 40 weeks.

Why It Stands Out

Brookline may be useful for students who want a Phoenix-based private college program with a healthcare-career focus.

It is best for students who want more structure than a 12-week program and are comfortable paying private-school tuition.

Altrain Medical and Dental Assisting Academy is located in the Phoenix area and focuses on hands-on training in a dental office setting.

It is a good fit for students who want smaller classes and practical instruction that feels close to the real work environment.

This school may be especially appealing to students who want dental assisting plus some exposure to orthodontic assisting.

Programs Offered

Altrain offers Dental Assistant training and a Dental Assisting with Orthodontics option.

Students may learn chairside assisting, sterilization, dental materials, impressions, radiography preparation, clinical procedures, front-office basics, and orthodontic assisting skills.

The orthodontics option can be useful for students who may want to work in orthodontic offices later.

Tuition and Cost

Program cost is approximately $7,500.

A listed cost breakdown has included:

• Tuition: around $6,000
• Books: around $150
• Registration fee: around $25
• Uniform, dental materials, lab, and clinical supplies: around $1,050
• DANB X-ray certification exam fee: around $275

Students should confirm whether the exam fee is required, optional, or paid separately.

Program Length

The program is approximately 4 months.

Why It Stands Out

Altrain stands out because it is hands-on, relatively short, and offers an orthodontics-related pathway.

For students who want to avoid a long 9 to 10-month program but still want more than a quick weekend course, the 4-month format is worth a look.

Rio Salado College is based in Tempe and is part of the Maricopa County Community College District.

It is not the same type of entry-level dental assistant school as some of the private academies on this list, but it is very relevant for dental assistants who want to add skills, especially in expanded functions.

This is a better fit for students who already have dental experience or who are looking for additional dental credentials rather than a basic beginner program.

Programs Offered

Rio Salado offers an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant training course.

This type of training is generally designed for dental assistants who want to qualify for additional duties under Arizona rules and dentist supervision.

The course may include expanded functions training and related lab materials.

Rio Salado also has dental-related coursework and programs connected to dental hygiene and dental healthcare.

Tuition and Cost

The Expanded Functions Dental Assistant course is approximately $2,750.

That cost has included:

• PPE
• Dental instruments
• Typodonts
• Lab materials
• Supplies

Students who need special or custom PPE may need to provide it themselves.

Program Length

The length can vary by course schedule.

Students should check the current Rio Salado schedule for exact start dates, course format, and clinical requirements.

Why It Stands Out

Rio Salado is useful because it gives working dental assistants a way to build additional skills without enrolling in a full entry-level program.

It is also connected to the Maricopa Community College system, which can be attractive for students who prefer public college pricing and structure.

West-MEC serves the West Valley and offers career and technical education programs.

Its adult Dental Assisting program is not in central Phoenix, but it can be a good nearby option for students in Buckeye, Surprise, Glendale, Peoria, Avondale, Goodyear, and other west-side communities.

This may be a good fit for students who want career training through a public technical education provider rather than a private college.

Programs Offered

West-MEC offers an Adult Education Dental Assisting program.

Training usually focuses on chairside assisting, dental terminology, sterilization, dental instruments, patient care, radiography preparation, and professional dental office skills.

The program is designed to help students prepare for dental assistant employment and related certification steps.

Tuition and Cost

The program of study is approximately $11,185.

Students may also need to budget for:

• Admission fee: around $150
• Administrative fee: around $100
• Lab and supply fees, which can vary
• Books
• Uniforms
• Background check or health requirements
• Exam fees, if not included

West-MEC has offered interest-free payment plans for some adult programs.

Program Length

Program length can vary by schedule and campus, but adult career training programs in dental assisting are often completed in several months to under 1 year.

Why It Stands Out

West-MEC is a strong option for West Valley students who do not want to commute to central Phoenix or the East Valley.

The program cost is higher than that of some 12-week academies, but it may appeal to students who want a public technical school environment with hands-on training.