Pittsburgh has several dental assistant training options, including university-based training, 10-week courses, 9-month programs, and EFDA certificate options.
Costs range from about $3,650 to more than $18,000.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in Pennsylvania is $40,728 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine offers one of the strongest dental assistant training options in Pittsburgh.
It is a good fit for students who want training connected to a major dental school and real clinical experience.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assistant Training Program.
The program includes online coursework, clinical shadowing, clinical externship training, dental terminology, infection control, chairside assisting, dental materials, patient care, and Radiation Health and Safety exam preparation.
Tuition and Cost
The program fee is about $5,500.
That includes:
- Instructional materials
- Online resources
- Textbook modules
- Simulation software
- Radiation Health and Safety exam fee
- Radiation Health and Safety registration
Students may also need to pay for:
- Act 33 clearance: varies
- Act 34 clearance: varies
- Act 73 clearance: varies
- Transportation to clinical sites: varies
Program Length
The program takes 9 months or less.
The structure includes:
- About 3 months of online coursework
- About 3 days of clinical shadowing
- About 6 months of clinical training externship
Address: 3501 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 1526
#2 Institute of Medical and Business Careers
Institute of Medical and Business Careers has a Pittsburgh campus and offers career-focused healthcare training.
It is a good fit for students who want a longer dental assisting diploma program with a private-school structure.
Programs Offered
IMBC offers a Dental Assisting diploma program.
Students study chairside assisting, dental terminology, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, dental office procedures, patient care, and clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request the current Pittsburgh campus tuition sheet before enrolling.
A practical private-school budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $15,000 to $19,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,200
- Uniforms and lab materials: about $100 to $500
- Exam or certification costs: about $200 to $700
- Transportation or personal costs: varies
Program Length
The program takes about 1 year.
Address: 133 Jefferson RoadPittsburgh, PA 15235
#3 Dental Careers Institute
Dental Careers Institute offers a short dental assistant training program that may serve Pittsburgh-area students, depending on current class locations.
It is a good fit for students who want a 10-week program with materials included.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assistant program.
Training includes chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, dental materials, patient care, dental office basics, and clinical dental assistant skills.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $3,795.
A payment plan may include:
- Tuition: about $3,795
- Interest: about $55
- Total payment plan cost: about $3,850
- Weekly payments: about $290 for 10 weeks
- Books, supplies, uniform, and equipment: included
Program Length
The program takes about 10 weeks.
The course includes about 80 classroom hours.
Address:
#4 Pennsylvania Dental Assistant Academy
Pennsylvania Dental Assistant Academy offers dental assistant training in Pennsylvania and may be useful for Pittsburgh-area students, depending on current class locations.
It is designed for students who want a short, dental-focused program with supplies included.
Programs Offered
The school offers dental assistant training for entry-level dental office work.
Students may study chairside assisting, dental terminology, dental instruments, sterilization, infection control, patient care, and dental office basics.
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 supplies: may be included
- Uniforms: about $50 to $150 if separate
- CPR or certification fees: about $75 to $300
- Registration or deposit: varies
- Transportation: varies
Program Length
Students should confirm the current schedule.
Short dental assisting programs often run about 10 to 13 weeks.
Address: 1 Belmont Ave, Suite 414Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
#5 Westmoreland County Community College
Westmoreland County Community College is located outside Pittsburgh and may be a good option for students willing to commute east of the city.
It is a public college option with dental assisting programs and lower tuition than many private schools.
Programs Offered
Westmoreland offers dental assisting program options, including certificate and degree pathways.
Training includes dental radiography, chairside assisting, dental materials, infection control, patient care, dental science, office procedures, and clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current tuition and program fees.
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
Students should confirm the current sequence.
Many public college dental assisting programs take about 1 year.
Address: 145 Pavilion LaneYoungwood, PA 15697
#6 Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center
Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center is not in Pittsburgh, but it may be useful for students in western or central Pennsylvania who want an Expanded Function Dental Assistant option.
It is best for students who already have dental assisting experience.
Programs Offered
The school offers an Expanded Function Dental Assistant Certificate.
The program prepares students for the Pennsylvania Expanded Function Dental Assistant Certification Exam.
It includes expanded function procedures, dental materials, clinical skills, and hands-on lab practice.
Tuition and Cost
The program cost is about $5,450.
That includes:
- Program materials
- Typodont
- Most required course materials
- Students should also budget for:
- Nonrefundable acceptance fee: about $100, applied toward tuition
- EFDA licensure exam fee: not included
- Supply kit items: separate cost
- Transportation: varies
Program Length
Students should confirm the current EFDA schedule.
EFDA programs are usually shorter than full dental assisting diploma programs, but may require scheduled lab and clinical sessions.
Address: 1500 4th Ave, Altoona, PA 16602, United States
Schools Summary Table
Pennsylvania 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 1,080 | $50,020 | $24.05 | $60,100 | $36,920 |
| Altoona, PA | 100 | $43,700 | $21.01 | $56,650 | $34,370 |
| Chambersburg, PA | 130 | $47,700 | $22.93 | $60,320 | $35,910 |
| Erie, PA | 190 | $43,580 | $20.95 | $58,620 | $34,750 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 80 | $46,560 | $22.38 | $58,930 | $35,330 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 640 | $48,560 | $23.35 | $59,110 | $37,250 |
| Johnstown, PA | 110 | $42,990 | $20.67 | $55,700 | $35,230 |
| Lancaster, PA | 650 | $48,670 | $23.40 | $59,030 | $36,570 |
| Lebanon, PA | 90 | $48,840 | $23.48 | $58,470 | $37,200 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 6,790 | $51,850 | $24.93 | $63,510 | $38,650 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 2,380 | $50,630 | $24.34 | $76,860 | $36,300 |
| Reading, PA | 430 | $47,590 | $22.88 | $61,500 | $37,750 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | 430 | $44,020 | $21.16 | $57,550 | $34,140 |
| State College, PA | 150 | $46,620 | $22.41 | $57,780 | $35,490 |
| Williamsport, PA | 80 | $46,830 | $22.52 | $58,440 | $33,880 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 310 | $47,910 | $23.04 | $59,450 | $36,830 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in Pennsylvania
