Charleston has several dental assistant training options, including public college programs, 10-week courses, 12-week programs, and online training.
Costs range from about $2,000 to more than $20,000.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in South Carolina is $38,197 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Trident Technical College
Trident Technical College is one of the strongest dental-assisting programs in the Charleston area.
It is a public college and a good fit for students seeking a full, accredited Expanded Duty Dental Assisting program.
Programs Offered
Trident Technical College offers an Expanded Duty Dental Assisting diploma.
The program includes chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, office procedures, laboratory procedures, and hands-on clinical training.
Graduates may be eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board exam.
Tuition and Cost
Trident Technical College has promoted $0 tuition for eligible students in some programs and terms, but students should confirm current funding before enrolling.
A practical budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $0 to $5,000, depending on eligibility
- 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
- Observation requirement: about 5 hours before admission
Program Length
The diploma program usually takes about 1 year, depending on course sequencing.
Address: 7000 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406
#2 Accelerated Academy, Charleston
Accelerated Academy offers dental assistant training in Charleston through Ashley River Comprehensive Family Dentistry.
It is a good fit for students who want a short hybrid program in a real dental office environment.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 10-week Dental Assisting program.
Students complete online lessons and in-person clinical training.
The program covers chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, dental office basics, and hands-on dental skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current tuition before enrolling.
A practical short-program 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: 2060 Charlie Hall Blvd Ste 5A, Charleston, SC 29414
#3 ECPI University
ECPI University offers dental assistant training through its Dental Assisting associate degree pathway.
It may be a good fit for students who want a longer degree program rather than a short certificate course.
Programs Offered
ECPI offers an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting.
The program includes dental sciences, chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, dental office procedures, laboratory work, and externship-style hands-on training.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request current tuition from ECPI before enrolling.
A practical degree program budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $18,000 to $30,000 or more
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,500
- Uniforms and lab materials: about $100 to $500
- Exam or certification costs: about $200 to $700
- Transportation to externship or clinical sites: varies
Program Length
The program requires about 63 semester credit hours.
It can be completed in about 15 months.
Address: 5555 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462
#4 MedCerts Online Dental Assistant Program
MedCerts offers an online Dental Assistant program that may work for Charleston students who need flexibility.
It is best for students who are comfortable learning online and can be proactive about finding hands-on experience.
Programs Offered
The program covers dental anatomy, dental terminology, infection control, chairside assisting basics, patient care, dental records, dental office procedures, and certification preparation.
Students should ask whether the course includes externship support, exam vouchers, and help with meeting South Carolina dental assistant requirements.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current tuition before enrolling.
A practical online-course budget may include:
- Tuition: about $2,000 to $4,000
- Books and materials: ask if included
- Exam voucher: ask if included
- CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150 if separate
- Scrubs or hands-on supplies: about $50 to $150 if needed
- Optional local hands-on training costs: varies
Program Length
The program can be completed in about 14 weeks if students study around 15 to 20 hours per week.
Address: 14143 Farmington RoadLivonia, MI 48154
Schools Summary Table
| Rank | School | |
|---|---|---|
| | #1 | Trident Technical College |
| | #2 | Accelerated Academy, Charleston |
| | #3 | ECPI University |
| | #4 | MedCerts Online Dental Assistant Program |
South 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | 1,100 | $47,890 | $23.02 | $58,620 | $39,280 |
| Columbia, SC | 770 | $45,060 | $21.66 | $57,980 | $37,140 |
| Florence, SC | 230 | $41,570 | $19.99 | $50,080 | $30,940 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | 1,050 | $47,120 | $22.66 | $59,280 | $38,160 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | 270 | $44,620 | $21.45 | $55,410 | $37,090 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | 340 | $43,980 | $21.14 | $57,650 | $36,060 |
| Spartanburg, SC | 350 | $44,480 | $21.39 | $57,090 | $36,490 |
| Sumter, SC | 130 | $41,820 | $20.11 | $50,200 | $36,240 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in South Carolina
