Connecticut Dental Assistant Schools and Salary Guide

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If you want to find a stable career and like helping people, you might enjoy working as a Dental Assistant in Connecticut.

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Get information on Dental Assistant programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

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Licensing Requirements To Become a Dental Assistant In Connecticut

Dental Assistants in Connecticut can perform basic duties, such as the ones they may have learned within the first few months of training.

They will not perform any X-rays or use any imaging machines, however, until after they have completed the CT Radiation Health and Safety requirement.

You will need to get ready to take the Radiation Health and Safety Exam (RHS) provided by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB).

If you want, you also can pursue the Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) credential.

If you do, this will not require you to have quite as much dental supervision when assisting a dentist who is carrying out chairside dental services or giving patients routine exams.

Just so you know, any EFDA in Connecticut is also one that does use X-ray machines.

That is why you need to receive this training and certification as soon as possible.

As of 2018, both dental assistants and FDA’s half two pastor DNB infection control portion of the exam.

Other conditions apply too.

5 Dental Assistant Schools in Connecticut

1.  Manchester Community College

Manchester Community College Logo

You can complete the Manchester Community College three-semester program in about 10 months.

This training includes an externship at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine.

Then you will continue your hands-on training at a private practice.

Your coursework will teach you how to make impressions, sterilize instruments and perform X-rays.

If you want to work on the administrative side, you will appreciate the training in scheduling appointments and working at a front desk.

2. Tunxis Community College

Tunxis Community College Logo

Tunxis has a Dental Assisting program that provides you with the core training required to work alongside a dentist.

Through this program, you will learn how to properly perform various duties within a dental office.

For instance, you will acquire equipment sterilization, X-ray generation, and patient care skills.

When you’re done with your training, you should be ready to take the DANB Exam.

They offer the CDA and the RDA. Radiology certifications also are available through the DANB, which the Tunxis training could help you achieve.

As of 2022, Tunxis has an affiliation with the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine that has lasted more than 30 years so far.

You will complete some of your hands-on training through the university.

3. Professional Dental Assistant School, LLC

Professional Dental Assistant School, LLC Logo

This learning center provides you a chance to start working as a dental assistant in as little time as eight weeks.

Classes are ongoing, so you will have at least a few times a year you can take them.

During this time, you will learn four-handed dentistry and instrument sterilization, and this instruction is from an experienced dentist.

This training also equips you with impression-creating skills, and it teaches you the dental materials used for restorative dentistry.

This training institution does recommend their students to DANB if they want to receive the certification required in Connecticut.

You need to pass the RHS exam before you perform X-rays or operate human imaging machines.

4. LABCO School of Dental Assisting Plus LLC

LABCO School of Dental Assisting Plus LLC Logo

LABCO offers instruction from dentists who work in the industry and have over 40 years of experience.

One of the most important things you will learn is how to take and process radiographic images (X-rays).

You’ll need to know this if you want to pass your DANB exam.

This training will coach you on the best way to consult with patients about their medical history and take their blood pressure and pulse and other vital signs.

In addition, you will have inside information on how to protect yourself and other people from infections.

This includes learning the rigorous protocol required to keep all instruments and equipment sterilized.

Besides that, your instructor will demonstrate how before, during, and after treatment.

5. Sunny Willow School Of Dental Assisting

Sunny Willow School Of Dental Assisting Logo

Sunny Willow has a team of people who interview people for open positions and dental facilities.

They also have hands-on training right on site.

In addition, this employment-based learning center has a dental office where you will spend most of your time.

You also will learn CPR training.

You will also receive the necessary X-ray safety training as required by the state of Connecticut before you use radiographic equipment.

Dental Assistant Schools in Connecticut – Summary Table

Top 5 Schools in Connecticut

School NameAddress
Manchester Community CollegeGreat Path, Manchester, CT 06040
Tunxis Community College271 Scott Swamp Rd, Farmington, CT 06032
Professional Dental Assistant School, LLC606 West Ave suite c, Norwalk, CT 06850
LABCO School of Dental Assisting Plus LLC140 Monroe Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611
Sunny Willow School Of Dental Assisting4131 Main St, Bridgeport, CT 06606

Salary

An update made in 2026 states that Connecticut Dental Assistants make an annual salary of $44,155.

Yearly incomes usually range between $39,162 and $48,994.00.

Maybe begin your job search in Brookfield, Enfield, Avon, Newington, Bridgeport, or New Britain.

Annual Salary Range:
$39K
$44K
$48K

Average Salary of Dental Assistants in Connecticut

City NameSalary
Bridgeport$46,359
New Haven$44,225
Hartford$43,862
Stamford$46,962
Waterbury$43,993
Norwalk$46,962
Danbury$45,305
New Britain$44,074
West Hartford$43,862
Greenwich$46,962
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in Connecticut

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT960$50,690$24.37$59,950$37,230
Danbury, CT230$48,300$23.22$61,630$35,150
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT1,370$49,510$23.81$62,450$36,030
New Haven, CT560$48,640$23.38$60,550$35,320
Norwich-New London-Westerly, CT-RI290$48,570$23.35$60,880$34,720
Waterbury, CT150$50,090$24.08$60,350$35,140
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Dental Assistants, OCC Code 31-9091, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you work as a dental assistant in Connecticut without being certified?

You can start out as an assistant without having a certification.

However, you will be limited.

Most dental offices do you require at least the X-ray certification and or general dental assistant certification.

They also want you to have been trained and proper sterilization methods which is what the infection control unit of your coursework would teach you.

What are the most important dental assistant responsibilities in Connecticut?

The number one responsibility of a dental assistant is to make sure patients are always comfortable and remember they are often very anxious.

Some of them might even be in pain, which you cannot take away.

However, your training as a dental assistant will help you come up with different ideas of how to distract them before, during, and after treatment.

You also must know how to do CPR if you are a dental assistant.

And you must act quickly when a dentist instructs you to take vital signs if it is a dental emergency.

How much does certification to become a dental assistant cost in Connecticut?

It depends on how you become certified the DANB exams cost about $450 each.

This does not include your tuition.

However, some universities and technical schools will give you a voucher to help you cover the cost.

There is no state license fee at all, and you have to acquire the licensing through DANB after having completed a CODA-approved training program.

What cannot a dentist dental assistant do?

That depends on if you are not certified yet or if you have become an EFDA.

The primary “no-no” in your position would include not having the right to give a diagnosis or decide what treatment a dentist would offer.

You may however in some instances administer medication under the supervision of a dentist.

How long does dental assistant training take?

You could start off taking an 8-week training.

However, you need to know if it does cover taking X-rays and running radiographic machines.

If it does not, he will have to seek further training and pass the RHS exam offered by DANB.

I love 2018, dental assistants have nine months to complete the infection control requirements.

This requires taking and passing the DANB exam that covers this.

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