Sacramento has several dental assistant training options, from low-cost public college programs to 10 to 12-week private courses.
Students can compare programs by cost, length, hands-on hours, externship support, and RDA exam preparation.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in California is $45,584 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Sacramento City College
Sacramento City College is one of the strongest dental assisting options in the city.
It is a public community college and works well for students who want an affordable, college-based program with recognized dental training.
Programs Offered
Sacramento City College offers a Dental Assisting Certificate of Achievement and an Associate of Science in Dental Assisting.
The program includes dental science, chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, clinical procedures, dental materials, and patient care.
Students may also be prepared for Certified Dental Assistant and Registered Dental Assistant pathways.
Tuition and Cost
California resident tuition is about $46 per unit.
Students should also budget for:
- Program supplies and uniforms: about $3,000 to $4,000
- Books and materials: about $500 to $1,000
- Health requirements and CPR: about $150 to $400
- Exam or licensing fees: about $300 to $700
- Student fees: about $50 to $150
A realistic total estimate is about $5,000 to $8,000 for many local students.
Program Length
The program is a full-time day program and takes about 1 year.
Why It Stands Out
Sacramento City College is one of the best local values because it combines public college tuition with a full dental assisting curriculum.
It is a strong choice for students who want more depth than a short 10-week course.
Address: 3835 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95822
#2 UEI College, Sacramento
UEI College is a private career school with a Sacramento campus.
It is a good fit for students who want a structured program with online coursework, in-person labs, and career support.
Programs Offered
UEI offers a Dental Assistant program in a hybrid format.
The program includes 8 course modules and an externship.
Students study dental terminology, dental equipment, preventive dentistry, chairside assisting, patient care, sterilization, dental office procedures, and clinical basics.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated tuition and fees are commonly around $19,900 to $22,000.
Students should ask for a current campus cost sheet covering:
- Tuition and fees: about $19,900 to $22,000
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Uniforms: ask if included
- Lab or technology fees: varies
- Transportation to externship: varies
- Exam or certification fees: about $100 to $700
Program Length
The program takes about 10 months.
Why It Stands Out
UEI is a good option for students who want a private school with a predictable schedule and externship experience.
It is more expensive than community college, but it may appeal to students who want a faster, career-school format.
Address: 4424 Florin Road, Suite D & E, Sacramento, CA 95823
#3 Carrington College, Sacramento
Carrington College has a Sacramento campus and offers healthcare career programs.
It is a private school option for students who want dental assistant training in a structured campus setting.
Programs Offered
Carrington offers a Dental Assisting certificate program.
Training covers chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, dental office procedures, and basic clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Carrington’s exact Sacramento dental assisting cost can vary by enrollment period.
A practical private-school estimate is:
- Tuition and fees: about $16,000 to $21,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,500
- Uniforms and lab materials: may be included or separate
- Registration or technology fees: vary
- Exam or certification costs: about $200 to $700
Program Length
The Dental Assisting certificate can usually be completed in about 9 to 11 months.
Why It Stands Out
Carrington works well for students who want hands-on lab training and a clear career-school schedule.
It is also convenient for students who want to study directly in Sacramento rather than commuting to another city.
Address: 8909 Folsom Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95826
#4 Sacramento Dental Assistant School
Sacramento Dental Assistant School is a short-term training option for students who want a faster and lower-cost route into dental assisting.
It is designed for beginners who want practical dental office skills without a long program.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 12-week Dental Assistant program.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, office basics, and clinical procedures.
The program is built around a shorter schedule, so students should confirm how many hands-on hours are included.
Tuition and Cost
Pay-in-full tuition is about $2,340.
Students should also ask about:
- Payment plan fees: may add $300 or more
- Registration or deposit: varies
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150 if separate
- CPR or exam fees: about $75 to $300 if separate
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Why It Stands Out
This is one of the most affordable and fastest dental assistant school options in Sacramento.
It is a good choice for students who want a short program and flexible payment options.
Address: 931 Howe Ave, Suite A Sacramento, CA 95825
#5 Arch Dental Assistant School, Sacramento
Arch Dental Assistant School offers a Sacramento-area hybrid program with online lessons and in-person labs.
It is best for students who want a short program with some hands-on training but need flexibility during the week.
Programs Offered
Arch offers a Dental Assistant program with online coursework, hands-on labs, and exam preparation.
Students learn dental terminology, chairside assisting, sterilization, patient care, dental office basics, and clinical skills.
The program includes 2 weekends of in-person lab training.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $2,490, with some Sacramento-area listings showing pay-in-full pricing around $2,340.
Students should confirm:
- Tuition: about $2,340 to $2,490
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Lab materials: ask if included
- Scrubs: about $50 to $150 if separate
- CPR or certification fees: about $75 to $300 if separate
- Payment plan fees: vary
Program Length
The program takes about 10 weeks, plus 2 weekends of in-person labs.
Why It Stands Out
Arch is a good fit for students who want online flexibility but still need hands-on dental lab practice.
The price is much lower than that of many private career colleges.
Address: 2727 W Capitol Avenue #B, West Sacramento, CA 95691.
#6 Lincoln Dental Assisting Academy
Lincoln Dental Assisting Academy is located near Sacramento and offers a short dental assisting program.
It may be a good fit for students in North Sacramento, Roseville, Rocklin, and Lincoln.
Programs Offered
The academy offers a 10-week Dental Assisting program with 1 class day per week.
Training includes chairside assisting, dental basics, patient care, dental office procedures, and clinical preparation.
Additional certification-related items may include CPR, radiation safety, and infection control.
Tuition and Cost
The base tuition is about $2,500.
Students should also ask about:
- Registration fee: about $149
- CPR: about $85
- Radiation safety license: about $695
- Infection control: about $385
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Total possible cost: about $3,800 to $4,000 if add-ons are required
Program Length
The program takes about 10 weeks and includes about 181 hours.
Why It Stands Out
Lincoln Dental Assisting Academy is a practical short-program option for students who live north or northeast of Sacramento.
The 1-day-per-week schedule may work well for adults with jobs or family responsibilities.
Address: 831 Sterling Pkwy, Suite 110, Lincoln, CA 95648
#7 San Juan Adult Education Dental Careers for Adults
San Juan Adult Education offers a low-cost Dental Careers for Adults course in the Sacramento area.
It is a good option for students who want basic dental career training without paying private-school tuition.
Programs Offered
The Dental Careers for Adults course introduces students to dental assisting and dental office work.
Students may need to purchase required books before class, including a modern dental assisting textbook package.
Tuition and Cost
The class fee is about $500.
Students should also budget for:
- Required dental assisting book package: about $150 to $300
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150
- Supplies: about $25 to $100
- Transportation: varies
- CPR or certification fees: ask if separate
A realistic total estimate is about $750 to $1,200.
Program Length
Classes are scheduled from about 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on class dates.
Students should confirm the current session length before enrolling.
Why It Stands Out
This is one of the lowest-cost dental career options in the Sacramento area.
It may be a good starting point for students who want to explore the dental field before committing to a longer or more expensive program.
Address: 1400 Bell Street, Room E-2 Sacramento, CA 95825
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
