Los Angeles has many dental assistant training options, from affordable community college programs to private healthcare schools and short-term dental academies.
Because costs and program lengths vary so much, students should compare tuition, lab training, externship opportunities, radiography preparation, and total out-of-pocket expenses before choosing a school.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in California is $45,584 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 American Career College, Los Angeles
American Career College is a private healthcare career school with a Los Angeles campus.
It is a good fit for students who want a structured dental assisting diploma program with online coursework, hands-on lab training, and a career-school environment.
Programs Offered
ACC offers a Dental Assisting diploma program.
The program covers chairside assisting, dental radiography, patient care, dental equipment, infection control, dental procedures, and dental office basics.
The program uses a blended format, with online learning and in-person lab training.
Tuition and Cost
The estimated total program cost is around $21,000 to $22,000.
Students should ask for a current breakdown of:
- Tuition: about $18,000 to $20,000
- Fees: about $1,000 to $2,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,500
- Uniforms and lab materials: may be included or charged separately
- Exam or certification fees: vary
Program Length
The program can be completed in about 10 months.
Why It Stands Out
ACC stands out for students who want a larger healthcare school with a clear dental assisting track.
The blended format can also be helpful for students who want some online learning while still getting in-person practice.
Address: 4021 Rosewood Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90004
#2 West Los Angeles College
West Los Angeles College is a public community college in Culver City, making it one of the more affordable college-based options near central Los Angeles.
It is a strong fit for students who want lower tuition and a recognized public college pathway.
Programs Offered
West Los Angeles College offers a Dental Assisting Certificate of Achievement.
The program prepares students for clinical and administrative dental assistant work.
Training may include chairside assisting, dental materials, infection control, radiography, dental office procedures, and patient care.
Tuition and Cost
California resident tuition is about $46 per unit.
A full certificate can cost roughly:
- Tuition: about $1,200 to $2,000, depending on units
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,000
- Uniforms: about $100 to $300
- Health, background, and CPR requirements: about $150 to $400
- Student fees: about $50 to $150
A realistic total estimate is about $2,000 to $4,000 for many local students.
Program Length
The program is about 9 months and usually runs across 2 full semesters and 1 intersession.
Why It Stands Out
West LA College is one of the best-value options near Los Angeles.
It is especially useful for students who want a public college program instead of a private school costing $15,000 to $22,000.
Address: 9000 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230-3519
#3 Concorde Career College, North Hollywood
Concorde Career College is a private healthcare career college in North Hollywood.
It is a good fit for students in the San Fernando Valley who want a career-focused dental assistant program with lab training and a faster timeline than a traditional degree.
Programs Offered
Concorde offers a Dental Assistant diploma program.
The program includes dental sciences, chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, and office procedures.
Students should confirm current RDA exam preparation, CPR, and externship details with the campus.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated dental assisting program costs are around $16,700 to $18,000.
A practical cost range may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $15,900 to $17,900
- Books and supplies: about $750 to $1,700
- Uniforms and lab supplies: may be included or charged separately
- Transportation and personal costs: vary
- Exam or certification costs: ask admissions
Program Length
The Dental Assistant program can be completed in about 9 to 10 months.
Why It Stands Out
Concorde is a solid option for students who want a private healthcare school in the Valley.
The program is shorter than a two-year college pathway and more structured than a weekend-only course.
Address: 12412 Victory Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606, United States
#4 Valley School for Dental Assisting, North Hollywood
Valley School for Dental Assisting is a dental-focused training school in North Hollywood.
It is a good fit for students who want a shorter program from a school centered specifically on dental training.
Programs Offered
The school offers Dental Assistant courses and Registered Dental Assistant-related courses.
The Dental Assistant course is listed as a 300-hour, 12-week program.
Students can also look into additional courses for RDA preparation, written exam prep, and career advancement.
Tuition and Cost
The Dental Assistant course requires a $1,500 deposit.
Students should ask for the full current tuition amount, but related RDA modules are listed at around $3,920 per module, including books and materials.
Possible costs include:
- Deposit: about $1,500
- Books and scrubs: included for the DA course
- RDA modules: about $3,920 each
- RDA written prep course: about $400
- Extra exam or licensing costs: varies
Program Length
The Dental Assistant course is about 12 weeks and 300 hours.
Why It Stands Out
Valley School for Dental Assisting stands out because it offers a dental-only training environment and a short 12-week timeline.
It may be a good choice for students who want focused dental training without a long college schedule.
Address: 16500 Ventura Blvd Suite #315/405, Encino, CA 91436, United States
#5 Los Angeles School of Dental Assisting
The Los Angeles School of Dental Assisting is a short-term dental assisting school in the Los Angeles area.
It is designed for students who want a quick, lower-cost way to start learning dental assisting skills.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 12-week Dental Assisting course.
Students attend theoretical, laboratory, and clinical classes 2 evenings per week.
The program includes beginner dental assisting training, chairside skills, clinical practice, and dental office preparation.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $2,495 to $2,500, including a non-refundable registration fee of about $400.
Students should also budget for:
- Scrubs or uniforms: about $50 to $150
- CPR, if not included: about $75 to $150
- Extra supplies: about $50 to $200
- Transportation: varies
- Exam or certification costs: about $100 to $500, depending on what is needed
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
This is one of the lower-cost dental assistant school options near Los Angeles.
The evening schedule is helpful for students who work during the day or need a short training program.
Address: 2701 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057
#6 Pasadena City College
Pasadena City College is a public community college northeast of Los Angeles.
It is a good fit for students who want an affordable college program and do not mind commuting outside the city.
Programs Offered
PCC offers a Dental Assisting program with clinical and administrative training.
The program includes dental radiography, chairside assisting, infection control, dental materials, patient care, and preparation for dental assistant duties in California.
Tuition and Cost
The listed program tuition is about $1,679 for 36.5 units, plus other fees.
Students should also budget for:
- Uniforms: about $500
- Equipment and supplies: about $800
- Required association fee: about $75
- Books and course materials: about $300 to $800
- Health, CPR, and background requirements: about $150 to $400
- A realistic total estimate is about $3,500 to $5,000.
Program Length
The program is usually completed in about 1 year.
Why It Stands Out
Pasadena City College is one of the best affordable options near Los Angeles for students who want a public college program with a stronger academic structure than a very short private course.
Address: 1570 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106
#7 Cerritos College
Cerritos College is a public community college in Norwalk, southeast of Los Angeles.
It is a good option for students in southeast LA County who want a lower-cost public college dental assisting pathway.
Programs Offered
Cerritos College offers a Dental Assisting program approved in California.
Students can expect training in dental science, chairside assisting, infection control, radiography, dental materials, and office procedures.
Tuition and Cost
California resident tuition is about $46 per unit.
A practical student budget may include:
- Tuition: about $1,500 to $2,500, depending on units
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,000
- Uniforms: about $100 to $300
- Health and background requirements: about $150 to $400
- Student fees: about $50 to $150
- Exam or certification costs: varies
A realistic total estimate is about $2,500 to $5,000.
Program Length
The program is typically about 1 year, depending on course sequencing.
Why It Stands Out
Cerritos College is a strong value option for students who want a public college route in LA County.
It may be especially convenient for students in Norwalk, Downey, Bellflower, Cerritos, Lakewood, and southeast Los Angeles.
Address: 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650
#8 Tri-Cities ROP, Whittier
Tri-Cities ROP is a career training provider in Whittier, serving students in the surrounding Los Angeles County area.
It is a good fit for students looking for a lower-cost adult education option rather than a private career college.
Programs Offered
Tri-Cities ROP offers an adult Dental Assistant program.
The program includes dental assistant training, instructional materials, certificates, and CPR preparation.
Students should ask about radiography, infection control, the Dental Practice Act, externship hours, and California dental assistant requirements before enrolling.
Tuition and Cost
The program has listed promotional pricing with free tuition valued at about $1,700 and a registration fee of about $300.
Students may still need to pay for:
- Medical uniform: about $50 to $150
- Transportation: varies
- Extra certification or exam costs: about $100 to $500
- Supplies not included in registration: varies
Program Length
Program length can vary by session, so students should confirm the current schedule before enrolling.
Why It Stands Out
Tri-Cities ROP is one of the lowest-cost options near Los Angeles when promotional pricing is available.
It is worth checking for students who want career training without taking on a large tuition bill.
Address: 10800 Benavon St STE E, Whittier, CA 90606, United States
Schools Summary Table
California Salary by Metro Area
This table provides a breakdown of average salaries by metro area, showing how wages differ across regions within the state using recent BLS data.
| Metro Area | Employed | Avg. Annual | Avg. Hourly | Top 10% | Bottom 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 960 | $51,560 | $24.79 | $77,030 | $37,700 |
| Chico, CA | 250 | $50,890 | $24.46 | $62,090 | $36,440 |
| El Centro, CA | 120 | $55,560 | $26.71 | $81,100 | $38,530 |
| Fresno, CA | 1,450 | $51,520 | $24.77 | $62,550 | $38,190 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | 200 | $56,070 | $26.96 | $84,340 | $37,320 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 19,300 | $47,960 | $23.06 | $57,960 | $38,460 |
| Merced, CA | 180 | $51,440 | $24.73 | $60,370 | $36,390 |
| Modesto, CA | 860 | $49,980 | $24.03 | $65,150 | $37,340 |
| Napa, CA | 180 | $57,600 | $27.69 | $74,320 | $39,890 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 930 | $53,790 | $25.86 | $63,440 | $38,790 |
| Redding, CA | 200 | $49,920 | $24.00 | $60,100 | $36,480 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 6,210 | $50,090 | $24.08 | $56,960 | $39,080 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 3,450 | $58,200 | $27.98 | $77,200 | $41,890 |
| Salinas, CA | 510 | $55,460 | $26.66 | $75,270 | $38,660 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 4,230 | $49,290 | $23.70 | $61,570 | $37,460 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 7,100 | $65,070 | $31.29 | $79,350 | $45,440 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 2,840 | $69,810 | $33.56 | $103,860 | $50,340 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 390 | $55,080 | $26.48 | $73,010 | $40,720 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 410 | $53,240 | $25.59 | $62,420 | $43,230 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 590 | $54,650 | $26.27 | $71,770 | $43,980 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 680 | $63,760 | $30.66 | $75,490 | $48,170 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 810 | $51,740 | $24.88 | $68,580 | $39,520 |
| Vallejo, CA | 550 | $58,960 | $28.35 | $74,240 | $45,750 |
| Visalia, CA | 440 | $49,900 | $23.99 | $58,250 | $37,540 |
| Yuba City, CA | 250 | $50,360 | $24.21 | $60,570 | $38,120 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in California
- Bakersfield, CA5 Schools
- Fresno, CA8 Schools
- Los Angeles, CA8 Schools
- Oakland, CA7 Schools
- Riverside, CA6 Schools
- Sacramento, CA7 Schools
- San Diego, CA8 Schools
- San Jose, CA6 Schools
