St. Louis has several dental assistant training options, including 10-week, 12-week, 10-month, and online programs.
Costs range from about $2,195 to more than $14,000.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in Missouri is $38,995 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 St. Louis Community College
St. Louis Community College is one of the main public college options for students in the St. Louis area.
It is a good fit for students who want a college-based route and lower tuition than many private career schools.
Programs Offered
STLCC offers dental assistant-related training through its career and continuing education options.
The Clinical Dental Assistant course covers dental terminology, dental anatomy, infection control, patient care, dental office procedures, clinical assisting basics, and exam preparation.
Tuition and Cost
The online Clinical Dental Assistant course is about $2,195.
Students should also budget for:
- Course tuition: about $2,195
- Books and materials: ask if included
- Exam voucher: ask if included
- CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150 if separate
- Scrubs or supplies: about $50 to $150 if needed
- Internet and computer access: varies
Program Length
The online program is about 6 months and includes about 150 course hours.
Address: 5600 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
#2 Midwest Institute, Earth City
Midwest Institute is located in Earth City, near St. Louis.
It is a private career school and is a good fit for students who want a longer dental assistant program with hands-on lab training.
Programs Offered
Midwest Institute offers a Dental Assistant program.
Training includes chairside assisting, dental anatomy, infection control, dental radiography, dental materials, clinical procedures, patient care, dental office duties, and hands-on lab practice.
Tuition and Cost
The estimated program cost is about $14,755.
That may include:
- Registration fee: about $75
- Tuition: about $14,680
- Uniforms and shoes: about $150 if separate
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700 if separate
- Transportation: varies
Program Length
Students should confirm the current schedule before enrolling.
Many private dental assistant programs run about 9 to 12 months.
Address: 4260 Shoreline DriveEarth City, MO 63045
#3 St. John Dental Assistant School
St. John Dental Assistant School is a short-term dental assistant program in the St. Louis area.
It is designed for beginners who want a faster program with online coursework and in-person hands-on training.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 12-week Dental Assistant program.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, office basics, dental procedures, and career preparation.
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: 9270 Wicker Ave, Suites E and F, St. John, IN 46373
#4 Accelerated Academy, St. Louis
Accelerated Academy offers dental assistant training in St. Louis through a dental office training site.
It is a good fit for students who want a short hybrid program with hands-on practice.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 10-week Dental Assisting program.
Students complete online lessons and in-person dental office training.
The program covers chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, dental office basics, and clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition usually ranges from about $2,999 to $4,299.
Students should ask about:
- Deposit: about $200
- Pay-in-full discount: about $300 when available
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150 if separate
- CPR fee: about $75 to $100 if separate
- Payment plan total: varies
Program Length
The program takes about 10 weeks.
Address: 1405 S. Hanley Rd, Suite 100St. Louis (Brentwood), MO 63144
#5 Laurel Institute for Dental Assistants
Laurel Institute for Dental Assistants is a St. Louis-area program focused on fast dental assistant training.
It is a good option for students who want hands-on instruction, course books, and video-based learning.
Programs Offered
The institute offers dental assistant training for clinical and administrative dental office roles.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, dental office basics, and entry-level clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current tuition before enrolling.
A practical estimate may include:
- Tuition: about $3,000 to $6,500
- Course books and materials: about $100 to $500 if separate
- Uniforms: about $50 to $150
- CPR or certification fees: about $75 to $300
- Registration fee: varies
- Transportation: varies
Program Length
The program can be completed in as little as 10 weeks.
Address: 1254 Jungermann Road, Suite BSt. Peters, MO 63376
#6 Lewis and Clark Community College
Lewis and Clark Community College is located in Godfrey, Illinois, within commuting distance of the St. Louis metro area.
It is a public college option for students who want a more traditional dental assisting program.
Programs Offered
Lewis and Clark offers a Dental Assisting Certificate of Proficiency.
The program includes dental radiography, chairside assisting, dental materials, infection control, dental science, office procedures, and clinical dental assisting skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current tuition by residency status.
A practical budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $4,000 to $7,500
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms: about $75 to $200
- CPR and health requirements: about $100 to $300
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
- Transportation to campus or clinical sites: varies
Program Length
The program is typically about 10 to 12 months.
Address: 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey, IL 62035
Schools Summary Table
Missouri 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 170 | $41,780 | $20.09 | $51,910 | $35,600 |
| Columbia, MO | 210 | $44,100 | $21.20 | $57,210 | $35,480 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 170 | $40,560 | $19.50 | $50,310 | $33,810 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | 180 | $42,030 | $20.21 | $55,080 | $35,120 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 2,830 | $46,610 | $22.41 | $58,440 | $35,740 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 130 | $44,590 | $21.44 | $50,920 | $36,820 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 3,400 | $47,270 | $22.73 | $58,440 | $36,760 |
| Springfield, MO | 870 | $41,620 | $20.01 | $47,040 | $34,260 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in Missouri
