Detroit has several dental assistant training options, including community college programs, short 10 to 12-week courses, and private career schools.
Costs range from about $3,650 to more than $18,000, depending on the program.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in Michigan is $40,951 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Wayne County Community College District
Wayne County Community College District is one of the most practical public college options for Detroit students.
It is a good fit for students who want lower tuition, a local campus network, and a college-based dental assisting pathway.
Programs Offered
WCCCD offers dental assisting-related training through its health sciences and career programs.
Students may study chairside assisting, dental radiography, dental terminology, infection control, dental materials, dental office procedures, patient care, and clinical dental skills.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition varies by residency status.
A practical student budget may include:
- In-district tuition and fees: about $2,500 to $5,000
- Out-of-district tuition and fees: about $4,000 to $7,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,000
- Uniforms: about $75 to $200
- CPR and health requirements: about $100 to $300
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
Program Length
Students should confirm the current course sequence with the college.
Many dental assisting certificate programs take about 1 year.
Address: 801 W. Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48226
#2 Michigan Dental Assisting School
Michigan Dental Assisting School serves students in the Detroit metro area and offers short-term dental assistant training.
It is a good fit for beginners who want a faster route than a traditional college program.
Programs Offered
The school offers dental assistant training that includes chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, dental office basics, X-ray preparation, and clinical skills.
The program is designed around hands-on training in a dental office-style environment.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request the current tuition sheet before enrolling.
A practical short-program budget may include:
- Tuition: about $3,500 to $6,500
- Books and supplies: about $100 to $500
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150
- CPR or certification fees: about $75 to $300
- X-ray or radiography fees: about $100 to $500 if separate
- Registration fee: varies
Program Length
Short dental assisting programs commonly run about 10 to 12 weeks.
Students should confirm the current schedule before enrolling.
Address: 32905 W 12 Mile Rd, Suite 240 A, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
#3 Detroit Dental Assistant School
Detroit Dental Assistant School is a short-term program for students who want a quicker and lower-cost way to begin dental assisting.
It is designed for beginners who want weekly online lessons and in-person hands-on practice.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 12-week Dental Assistant program.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, dental office basics, impressions, X-ray preparation, and career skills.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $3,650.
Students should ask what is included, but a practical budget may include:
- Tuition: about $3,650
- Weekly payment plans: as low as about $100 per week
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150 if separate
- CPR or certification fees: about $75 to $300 if separate
- Transportation: varies
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Address: 1913 W South BlvdTroy, MI 48098
#4 Dorsey College, Woodhaven
Dorsey College has a Woodhaven campus in the Detroit metro area.
It is a private career school and may be convenient for students in downriver communities, southwest Detroit, Taylor, Southgate, and nearby areas.
Programs Offered
Dorsey offers a Dental Assistant program.
Training includes chairside assisting, dental radiography, dental materials, infection control, patient care, dental office procedures, dental anatomy, and clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated private-school costs may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $15,000 to $19,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms: about $50 to $200
- Lab materials: ask if included
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
- Transportation to externship: varies
Program Length
The program can typically be completed in under 1 year.
Students should confirm the current schedule and total clock hours with the campus.
Address: 19810 West Rd, Woodhaven, MI 48183
#5 Ross Medical Education Center, Madison Heights
Ross Medical Education Center has a Madison Heights campus north of Detroit.
It is a private healthcare career school and may be a good option for students in Detroit, Royal Oak, Warren, Troy, and the northern suburbs.
Programs Offered
Ross offers a Dental Assistant program.
Students study chairside assisting, dental instruments, dental materials, X-ray procedures, infection control, patient care, front office tasks, and dental office communication.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request the current campus cost sheet.
A practical budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $15,000 to $18,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms: about $50 to $200
- Lab materials: ask if included
- Exam or certification costs: about $200 to $700
- Transportation and personal costs: vary
Program Length
The program is commonly completed in about 30 to 36 weeks, depending on the schedule.
Address: 29429 John R RoadMadison Heights, MI 48071
#6 Macomb Community College
Macomb Community College is located northeast of Detroit and may be a good option for students in Warren, Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, and the east side of the metro area.
It is a public community college with lower tuition than most private schools.
Programs Offered
Macomb offers dental assistant-related training and health career courses.
Students should confirm the current dental assisting program availability and course sequence before applying.
Training may include dental terminology, infection control, chairside assisting, dental office procedures, patient care, radiography basics, and clinical preparation.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition depends on residency.
A practical budget may include:
- In-district tuition and fees: about $2,500 to $5,500
- Out-of-district tuition and fees: about $4,000 to $7,500
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,000
- Uniforms: about $75 to $200
- CPR and health requirements: about $100 to $300
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
Program Length
Students should confirm the current schedule with the college.
Many dental assisting certificates take about 1 year.
Address: 14500 E. 12 Mile Road, Warren, MI 48088
#7 Oakland Community College
Oakland Community College serves students north of Detroit and may be useful for students in Southfield, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Farmington Hills, and nearby suburbs.
It is a public college option with lower tuition than most private career schools.
Programs Offered
OCC offers health career and dental-related training options.
Students should confirm current dental assisting availability, since program offerings can change by year.
Possible training areas may include chairside assisting, dental terminology, infection control, radiography basics, patient care, and dental office procedures.
Tuition and Cost
A practical student budget may include:
- In-district tuition and fees: about $2,500 to $5,500
- Out-of-district tuition and fees: about $4,000 to $7,500
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,000
- Uniforms: about $75 to $200
- CPR and health requirements: about $100 to $300
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
Program Length
Students should confirm the current schedule and course availability.
Many similar public college dental assisting pathways take about 1 year.
Address: 2480 Opdyke Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
Schools Summary Table
Michigan 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI | 440 | $48,820 | $23.47 | $57,780 | $37,220 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 90 | $51,030 | $24.54 | $64,080 | $37,700 |
| Bay City, MI | 80 | $43,900 | $21.10 | $55,780 | $33,580 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 6,270 | $45,840 | $22.04 | $55,470 | $35,070 |
| Flint, MI | 420 | $45,740 | $21.99 | $58,140 | $36,600 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | 1,260 | $48,150 | $23.15 | $58,800 | $37,750 |
| Jackson, MI | 140 | $45,140 | $21.70 | $55,270 | $32,930 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | 260 | $44,660 | $21.47 | $57,390 | $34,260 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | 490 | $46,870 | $22.53 | $58,050 | $36,260 |
| Midland, MI | 120 | $45,650 | $21.95 | $57,020 | $36,200 |
| Monroe, MI | 80 | $44,250 | $21.27 | $58,200 | $32,350 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | 140 | $43,430 | $20.88 | $52,220 | $37,170 |
| Niles, MI | 110 | $44,320 | $21.31 | $56,770 | $35,180 |
| Saginaw, MI | 170 | $45,100 | $21.68 | $59,110 | $36,600 |
| Traverse City, MI | 280 | $46,000 | $22.12 | $56,760 | $35,920 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in Michigan
