Charlotte has several dental assistant training options, including public college programs, 10-week courses, 12-week programs, and private dental academies.
Costs range from about $1,500 to more than $15,000.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in North Carolina is $39,036 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Central Piedmont Community College
Central Piedmont Community College is one of the strongest dental assisting options in Charlotte.
It is a public community college and is a good fit for students who want a recognized, college-based dental assisting pathway.
Programs Offered
Central Piedmont offers a Dental Assisting diploma program.
The program includes chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, dental sciences, patient care, office procedures, and clinical training.
Tuition and Cost
Estimated in-state costs may include:
- Tuition with general education courses: about $3,572
- Tuition without general education courses: about $2,736
- Books with general education courses: about $980
- Books without general education courses: about $663
- Activity fees: about $96
- Uniforms, health requirements, and CPR: about $150 to $500
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
A realistic total estimate is about $4,000 to $6,500 for many in-state students.
Program Length
The program usually takes about 1 year.
Address: 1201 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204
#2 Charlotte Dental Assistant School
Charlotte Dental Assistant School is a short-term dental assistant program for students who want fast, hands-on training.
It is designed for beginners who want online lessons during the week and in-person practice in a dental office setting.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 12-week Dental Assistant program.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, dental materials, patient care, dental office basics, X-ray preparation, impressions, and career skills.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $3,650.
Payment options may include:
- Tuition: about $3,650
- Weekly payment plans: as low as about $100 per week
- Deposit option: about $450 to $1,450, depending on plan
- Payment plan fee: about $300
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150 if separate
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Address: 10220 Prosperity Park Drive, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28269
#3 Dental Assisting Preparatory Academy
Dental Assisting Preparatory Academy is located in Charlotte and offers a short dental assistant program for students who want practical training with interest-free payment options.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assisting program.
Training includes chairside assisting, dental instruments, infection control, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, dental office basics, and entry-level clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Total tuition is about $4,300.
Payment schedule may include:
- Registration fee: about $300
- 1st installment: about $1,000 before class starts
- 2nd installment: about $1,000 by week 4
- 3rd installment: about $1,000 by week 8
- 4th installment: about $1,000 by week 12
- Books, supplies, and uniforms: ask if included
- CPR or certification fees: ask if separate
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Address: 13425 Hoover Creek Blvd., Suite 204, Charlotte, NC 2827
#4 NC Dental U, Charlotte
NC Dental U offers dental career training in the Charlotte area, including a Charlotte and Steele Creek location.
It is a good fit for students who want a short dental assisting program with additional dental certification courses available.
Programs Offered
NC Dental U offers a Dental Assisting program.
The school also offers dental receptionist training and continuing education courses, such as coronal polishing and nitrous oxide monitoring.
Tuition and Cost
Dental Assisting course costs are commonly listed around:
- Charlotte-area dental assisting tuition: about $3,195 to $3,695
- Dental receptionist course: about $1,099
- Coronal polishing course: about $325
- CPR or certification fees: ask if included
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150 if separate
Program Length
Students should confirm the current schedule before enrolling.
Short dental assisting programs often run about 10 to 12 weeks.
Address: 3707 Latrobe Dr, Suite 420, Charlotte, NC 28211
#5 D.A. Academy of NC
D.A. Academy of NC offers dental assistant training and dental certification courses in North Carolina.
It may be a good option for Charlotte-area students who want a 12-week program with materials included.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assistant Program.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, infection control, patient care, dental materials, dental office basics, and clinical procedures.
The school also offers Dental Radiography, Coronal Polishing, Nitrous Oxide Monitoring, and CPR/AED certification courses.
Tuition and Cost
The Dental Assistant Program costs about $4,895.
Additional course costs may include:
- Dental Radiography: about $725
- Coronal Polishing: about $365
- Nitrous Oxide Monitoring: about $335
- CPR/AED Certification: about $85
The 12-week program tuition includes instructional hours, lab usage, basic materials, textbooks, and 1 set of scrubs.
Program Length
The Dental Assistant Program takes about 12 weeks.
Address: 1001 E. W.T. Harris Blvd, Suite ECharlotte, NC 28213
#6 Arch Dental Assistant School, Charlotte
Arch Dental Assistant School offers a short hybrid dental assistant program in Charlotte.
It is a good fit for students who want online coursework with limited in-person lab weekends.
Programs Offered
Arch offers a Dental Assistant program.
Training includes dental terminology, chairside assisting, sterilization, patient care, dental office basics, dental instruments, and exam preparation.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm the current Charlotte tuition before enrolling.
A practical short-program budget may include:
- Tuition: about $2,500 to $4,500
- Books and materials: ask if included
- Lab supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: 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.
The hands-on portion usually includes 2 in-person lab weekends.
Address: 7615 Colony Rd, Ste 205Charlotte, NC 28226
#7 Accelerated Academy, Concord
Accelerated Academy offers dental assistant training in Concord, just outside Charlotte.
It is a good fit for students in north Charlotte, Concord, Huntersville, Kannapolis, and nearby areas.
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, office basics, and clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current tuition before enrolling.
A practical budget may include:
- Deposit: about $200
- Tuition: about $2,999 to $4,299
- 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
Program Length
The program takes about 10 weeks.
Address: 8528 Pit Stop Court NW, Suite 30Concord, NC 28027
Schools Summary Table
North Carolina 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 530 | $50,970 | $24.50 | $58,100 | $36,030 |
| Burlington, NC | 150 | $46,460 | $22.34 | $55,020 | $37,180 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 3,440 | $49,910 | $24.00 | $59,890 | $38,040 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 680 | $51,690 | $24.85 | $73,310 | $37,950 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 580 | $45,810 | $22.02 | $56,320 | $36,900 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 120 | $45,350 | $21.80 | $57,780 | $36,950 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 770 | $50,460 | $24.26 | $58,040 | $39,420 |
| Greenville, NC | 230 | $46,180 | $22.20 | $55,820 | $36,650 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 320 | $46,730 | $22.47 | $56,740 | $37,650 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 170 | $44,930 | $21.60 | $50,820 | $36,950 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | 120 | $46,190 | $22.21 | $55,190 | $36,270 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 1,620 | $52,820 | $25.40 | $63,040 | $36,640 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 90 | $41,830 | $20.11 | $53,710 | $30,640 |
| Wilmington, NC | 550 | $50,980 | $24.51 | $58,690 | $38,130 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 460 | $48,470 | $23.30 | $57,720 | $36,660 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in North Carolina
