Portland has several dental assistant training options, including 10-week, 12-week, 14-week, 9-month, and 1-year programs.
Costs range from about $3,000 to more than $19,000.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in Oregon is $40,754 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Portland Community College
Portland Community College is one of the strongest dental assisting options in Portland.
It is a public college and a good fit for students who want an accredited 1-year program with a deeper clinical and academic structure.
Programs Offered
PCC offers a Dental Assisting Certificate.
The program includes chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, dental office procedures, clinical practice, and expanded functions preparation.
Graduates are prepared for the Oregon expanded functions certification and the Dental Assisting National Board exam.
Tuition and Cost
The estimated program cost is about $10,474.
A practical cost breakdown may include:
- Tuition, lab, and fees: included in the total estimate
- Books: about $400
- Supplies: about $950
- Scrubs: about $150
- Background check and drug screening: about $85
- Exams, certification, and CPR fees: about $900
Program Length
The program takes about 1 year.
Address: 12000 SW 49th Ave, Portland, OR 97219
#2 Concorde Career College, Portland
Concorde Career College is a private healthcare career school in Portland.
It is a good fit for students who want a structured private-school program with labs, career support, and off-site clinical experience.
Programs Offered
Concorde offers a Dental Assistant diploma program.
Students study dental anatomy, chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, front office procedures, impressions, and dental specialties.
Tuition and Cost
The estimated program cost is around $18,000 to $20,000.
A practical budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $18,358 to $19,600
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms and lab materials: ask if included
- Application or registration fee: varies
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
- Transportation to externship: varies
Program Length
The program usually takes about 9 months.
Address: 1425 NE Irving St., Building 300, Portland, OR 97232
#3 Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School
Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School serves Portland and Vancouver-area students.
It is a good fit for students who want a short program with hybrid training and hands-on internship experience.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assistant program.
The program includes online learning, classroom study, hands-on practice, chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, office basics, and clinical preparation.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $6,995.
Students should ask what is included, but the program commonly includes:
- Tuition: about $6,995
- Classroom and online training
- Dental supplies used during training
- 50-hour hands-on internship
- Books or materials: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150 if separate
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
It includes about 144 hours of classroom study and a 50-hour internship.
Address: 19301 SE 34th St, Suite 105, Camas, WA 98607
#4 Accelerated Assisting
Accelerated Assisting serves Portland, Hillsboro, Beaverton, and the greater Portland area.
It is a short-program option for students who want faster training and multiple location choices.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 12-week Dental Assistant program.
Training includes chairside assisting, dental terminology, instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, office skills, and hands-on dental assisting practice.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current tuition before enrolling.
A practical short-program budget may include:
- Tuition: about $3,000 to $6,500
- Books and materials: about $100 to $500
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150
- CPR or certification fees: about $75 to $300
- Registration or deposit: varies
- Transportation: varies
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Address: 7306 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213
#5 Practical Dental Assisting of Oregon
Practical Dental Assisting of Oregon is a Portland-area option for students who want expanded-function training.
It may be best for students who already work in a dental office or want a focused skills-based course.
Programs Offered
The school offers an expanded-function dental assisting course.
Students train in Oregon expanded functions, chairside procedures, dental materials, patient care, clinical practice, and dental office skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request current pricing before enrolling.
A practical budget may include:
- Tuition: about $3,000 to $6,000
- Books and materials: about $100 to $500
- Scrubs or clinical supplies: about $50 to $150
- CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150 if separate
- Exam or certification costs: about $200 to $700
Program Length
The program takes about 14 weeks.
Classes are usually held 1 day per week from about 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Address: 1885 NW Kings Blvd, Corvallis, OR 97330
#6 Clackamas Community College
Clackamas Community College is located south of Portland and offers a Dental Assistant Certificate.
It is a good fit for students in Oregon City, Milwaukie, Gladstone, Clackamas, and southeast Portland.
Programs Offered
CCC offers a Dental Assistant Certificate.
The program prepares students for entry-level dental assisting work and may include chairside assisting, dental materials, infection control, patient care, dental office procedures, dental radiography, and clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current program pricing before enrolling.
A practical public college budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $4,000 to $8,000
- 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 clinical sites: varies
Program Length
The certificate program is generally designed to be completed in about 1 year.
Address: 19600 Molalla Avenue, Oregon City, OR 97045
Schools Summary Table
Oregon 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany, OR | 120 | $54,380 | $26.14 | $60,060 | $48,130 |
| Bend, OR | 320 | $57,290 | $27.54 | $70,020 | $48,650 |
| Corvallis, OR | 100 | $53,440 | $25.69 | $58,780 | $47,750 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | 490 | $54,570 | $26.24 | $58,800 | $48,740 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 90 | $56,780 | $27.30 | $70,090 | $49,290 |
| Medford, OR | 290 | $53,530 | $25.74 | $59,210 | $47,920 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 3,720 | $58,470 | $28.11 | $74,860 | $46,440 |
| Salem, OR | 560 | $56,310 | $27.07 | $68,680 | $48,170 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in Oregon
