7 Best Dental Assistant Schools in Providence, RI

Community College of Rhode Island offers one of the strongest dental assistant training options for Providence-area students.

The program is offered through CCRI’s Division of Workforce Partnerships and is a good fit for students who want a short, career-focused program with externship experience.

Programs Offered

CCRI offers a Workforce Dental Assisting program.

The program prepares students for entry-level dental assisting work in Rhode Island.

Training includes four-handed dental assisting, infection control, sterilization, OSHA and bloodborne pathogens standards, dental office functions, patient care, and clinical preparation.

The program may also prepare students to sit for 2 of the 3 DANB certification exam components.

Tuition and Cost

The workforce program may be available at no cost for eligible students.

A practical budget may include:

• Tuition: $0 for eligible workforce students
• Books and supplies: ask if included
• Uniforms or scrubs: about $50 to $150 if separate
• CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150 if separate
• Transportation to externship: varies
• Exam or certification fees: about $100 to $500 if separate

Program Length

The program takes about 14 weeks.

The full-time schedule includes about 336 hours and an externship.

Lincoln Tech is located in Lincoln, about 10 to 15 miles from Providence.

It is a private career school and is a good fit for students who want a longer dental assisting program with a structured campus schedule.

Programs Offered

Lincoln Tech offers a Dental Assistant program.

Training includes chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, dental office procedures, dental anatomy, sterilization, and clinical preparation.

The program also helps prepare students for the RHS and ICE portions of the CDA exam.

Tuition and Cost

Estimated tuition is about $19,500.

Students should also budget for:

• Tuition: about $19,500
• Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,500
• Uniforms and lab materials: about $100 to $500
• Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
• Transportation: varies
• Registration or school fees: ask if included

Program Length

The program includes about 1,200 hours.

Students should confirm the current schedule with the Lincoln campus.

Genesis Center is located in Providence and offers workforce training for adults.

It is a good fit for eligible students who want job-focused dental assistant training with lower out-of-pocket costs.

Programs Offered

Genesis Center offers a Dental Assistant Training Program.

Students learn personal care, dental instruments, HIPAA, safety, common medical conditions, patient communication, dental office basics, and entry-level dental assisting skills.

The program may include internship opportunities in healthcare settings.

Tuition and Cost

The program may be available at no cost for eligible participants.

A practical budget may include:

• Tuition: $0 for eligible students
• Books and materials: ask if included
• Uniforms or scrubs: about $50 to $150 if separate
• CPR or health requirements: about $75 to $300 if separate
• Transportation: varies
• Background check: varies

Program Length

The program usually takes about 12 to 18 weeks, depending on the cohort.

Some versions list about 450 total hours.

Cranston Adult Education Programs offers a low-cost dental assistant course close to Providence.

It is a practical option for adults who want evening classes and do not want a high private-school tuition bill.

Programs Offered

The school offers a Dental Assistant certificate program.

Training includes dental team roles, communication skills, basic body systems, oral anatomy, dental science fundamentals, dental office preparation, and entry-level dental assisting skills.

Students are also prepared for off-site radiology.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition is about $1,550.

Students should also ask about:

• Tuition: about $1,550
• Books and materials: ask if included
• Uniforms or scrubs: about $50 to $150
• CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150 if separate
• Radiology-related costs: about $100 to $500 if separate
• Transportation: varies

Program Length

The program takes about 15 weeks.

Classes are usually held in the evening.

East Providence Career and Technical Center serves high school students in East Providence and nearby communities.

It is best for high school students who want to begin dental assisting training before graduation.

Programs Offered

The school offers a Dental Assisting program through its career and technical education pathway.

Students learn vital signs, infection control, dental instruments, restorative procedures, suction placement, laboratory procedures, patient care, and dental career basics.

Some students may also work toward radiography-related preparation.

Tuition and Cost

For eligible public high school students, the program is usually low-cost or no-cost.

Possible student expenses may include:

• Tuition: often $0 for eligible high school students
• Uniforms or scrubs: about $50 to $150
• Supplies: about $25 to $100
• CPR or health requirements: about $75 to $150 if required
• Transportation: varies

Program Length

The program follows the high school career and technical education schedule.

Students should confirm whether the pathway is 1 year, 2 years, or multi-year, depending on grade level.

Dental Assistant Education Center is located in Connecticut and may be an option for Providence-area students willing to commute.

It is better suited for students who want a private, short dental assisting program and can travel outside of Rhode Island.

Programs Offered

The school offers a Dental Assistant training program.

Students study chairside assisting, dental terminology, infection control, sterilization, dental instruments, patient care, dental materials, and dental office procedures.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition is about $5,500.

Students should also budget for:

• Tuition: about $5,500
• Registration or payment plan costs: varies
• Books and materials: ask if included
• Uniforms: about $50 to $150
• CPR or certification fees: about $75 to $300 if separate
• Transportation: higher if commuting from Providence

Program Length

Students should confirm the current schedule before enrolling.

The program is shorter than 1 year and is designed as a private career-training course.

The University of Rhode Island offers online career training options that may include clinical dental assistant preparation.

It is best for students who want a flexible online course rather than a hands-on campus program.

Programs Offered

The online Clinical Dental Assistant course may cover dental anatomy, dental terminology, infection control, patient care, dental office procedures, radiology basics, chairside assisting, and exam preparation.

Students should ask how hands-on experience, externship support, or local dental office practice works before enrolling.

Tuition and Cost

Students should confirm current course pricing before enrolling.

A practical online-course budget may include:

• Course tuition: about $2,000 to $3,500
• 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
• Optional hands-on training costs: varies

Program Length

The course is usually self-paced.

Many students should expect several months to complete it, depending on weekly study time.