A dental assistant forms part of the dental team and assists the oral health care provider to provide better dental treatment to patients.
The dental assistant helps to prepare patients for oral treatment, performs some administrative tasks, and also carries out reception duties.
5 Dental Assistant Schools in Maryland
The following five schools offer a course in dental assistance.
These courses range from certificate programs to associate degree programs and aim to prepare students for an entry-level position in the profession.
Community College of Baltimore County
The college, located in Baltimore, Maryland, offers a dental assistant certificate course.
The course is 16 to 20 weeks in duration.
Prospective students should be 18 years of age and should hold a high school GED.
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to demonstrate the clinical competencies of a dental assistant.
In addition, the student should be able to function both safely as well as effectively within the dental team, under the supervision of the dentists.
Furthermore, the student should display excellent communication skills with both patients and other team members, as well as exhibit ethical behavior and demonstrate professional conduct during the course of their practice.
Upon successful completion of the course, students are awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate.
The student will be eligible to take the following exams:
- DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Exam
- Infection Control Exam (ICE)
There are two certifying organizations for this program including:
- Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners
- Dental Assistant National Board (DANB)
In-county students will pay $122 per credit hour, in-state and out-of-county students will pay $241 per credit hour, and international and out-of-state students will pay $372.
Maryland Dental Assistant School
This school is located in Accokeek, Maryland.
Students are required to hold a high school GED and be 18 years old to enroll in this certificate course.
The school offers two courses in this field, including:
- Basic dental assistant
- Basic administrative dental assistant
Students are prepared for an entry-level position as dental assistants.
The basic dental assistant course prepares students to:
- Assist the dentist, chairside
- Four-handed dentistry
- All major dental procedures
- Promotion and education of oral health
- Dental terminology
- Sterilization procedures
And, students who opt to study the basic dental administrative assistant course are educated on computerized dental software, how to properly communicate in terms of legal jargon in the field, dental billing and coding, bookkeeping and accounting, how to properly set appointments, as well as account receivables and payables, and recall systems.
The fee for both courses is $2,250 and there is a $100 fee to secure your position in the class.
Fortis
Fortis offers a certificate course in dental assistance at two of its locations in Maryland, including Towsend and Landover.
Students are prepared for an entry-level position as dental assistants through techniques and hands-on strategies that enable the student to work in both examination rooms as well as treatment offices.
Students are trained to work chairside in order to assist the dentist while incorporating the best practice techniques in the field.
Students are further equipped with the skills to offer clinical therapeutic, educational, and preventative services to patients with regard to oral care.
Upon completion of this course, students are equipped with the knowledge to sit for the national examination.
The course is delivered over two semesters and tuition at this school ranges between $13,047 to $29,796 per year.
Anne Arundel Community College
This community college offers a certificate course in dental assisting and radiology.
The course includes 118 hours of instruction in dental assisting and radiology, 30 hours of instruction in the workplace including preparation for interviews and how to compile a resume, a 20-hour externship for qualifying students, and access to a lab where students can obtain hands-on experience, as well as coaching.
Upon successful completion of the course, students are able to sit for the following examinations:
- Dental Assisting National Board (DANB)
- Radiology and Health and Safety (RHS) exam
Students receive a certificate of completion from the AACC as well as job placement assistance. The course fee is $2,417, which includes:
- DANB test fee
- Lab supplies
- Instruction
In order to apply, students should be 18 years or older and hold a high school GED.
Dental Assistant Training School – DATS
Dental Assistant Training School offers an 11-week certificate course in this field.
Students can complete the course in three months and classes are held over the weekend and in the evenings.
Students receive hands-on and personal training in a dental office which will help to equip them with the necessary skills for an entry-level position in the field.
In addition, there is X-ray training included in the program.
The total cost of the program is $3,500, which also includes books and materials.
Dental Assistant Schools in Maryland – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Maryland
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Community College of Baltimore County | 7201 Rossville Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21237 |
| Maryland Dental Assistant School | 15638 Livingston Rd # 9, Accokeek, MD 20607 |
| Fortis College | 4351 Garden City Dr, North Englewood, MD 20785 |
| Anne Arundel Community College | 101 College Pkwy, Arnold, MD 21012 |
| Dental Assistant Training School | 2623 Housley Road, Gateway Village Annapolis, MD 21401 |
Salary
Students can expect to earn the following salary ranges in this position:
- Entry Level – $32,079
- Mid-level – $40,918
- Advanced – $49,481
Average Salary of Dental Assistants in Maryland
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | $42,064 |
| Frederick | $43,951 |
| Gaithersburg | $45,427 |
| Bowie | $45,454 |
| Rockville | $45,495 |
| Hagerstown | $41,480 |
| Annapolis | $43,358 |
| College Park | $45,550 |
| Salisbury | $43,619 |
| Cumberland | $37,547 |
Regional Salary in Maryland
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 1,860 | $45,430 | $21.84 | $58,880 | $31,750 |
| California-Lexington Park, MD | 110 | $43,460 | $20.89 | $59,550 | $30,310 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | 60 | $38,080 | $18.31 | $52,330 | $29,500 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | 210 | $42,650 | $20.51 | $56,080 | $31,190 |
| Salisbury, MD-DE | 270 | $44,110 | $21.21 | $57,440 | $29,830 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there job security in this field?
Yes, because no dental office can function without a dental assistant.
Therefore, there will be a high demand in this field for this position.
Can I advance in this position?
Yes, this is the starting position in the field of dentistry.
Higher positions to aim for include:
- Insurance Claims Processing & Coding professionals
- Dental Office Managers
- Dentists
- Dental Hygienists
Is this job full or part-time?
Both.
The demand is high enough to justify a full-time position.
Do I need a license to practice in Maryland?
No.
There are no licensing requirements.
Do I need a formal education in Maryland for this position?
No, you are able to work without formal training, but it helps.
