Memphis has several dental assistant training options, including 12-week, 13-week, 8-month, and 10-month programs.
Costs range from about $3,000 to more than $18,000.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in Tennessee is $37,174 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Memphis is one of the strongest public training options in the city.
It is a good fit for students who want a lower-cost technical college program with classroom instruction and hands-on practice.
Programs Offered
TCAT Memphis offers a Dental Assisting program.
The program includes dental terminology, chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, dental office procedures, and practical clinical preparation.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current Memphis campus pricing before enrolling.
A practical budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $3,000 to $4,000
- Books and supplies: about $1,200 to $1,700
- Uniforms: about $75 to $200
- CPR and health requirements: about $100 to $300
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
- Transportation: varies
A realistic total estimate is about $4,500 to $6,500.
Program Length
The program is commonly about 864 clock hours.
Many TCAT dental assisting programs take about 8 months full-time.
Address: 550 Alabama Ave, Memphis, TN 38105, United States
#2 Memphis Dental Assistant School
Memphis Dental Assistant School is a short-term dental assistant program for students who want a faster and lower-cost route into the field.
It is designed for beginners who want online lessons during the week and hands-on practice in a dental office setting.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 12-week Dental Assistant program.
Students learn chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, office basics, X-ray preparation, impressions, and career skills.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $3,650.
Students should ask what is included, but a practical budget may include:
- Tuition: about $3,650
- Weekly payment plans: as low as about $100 per week
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150 if separate
- CPR or certification fees: about $75 to $300 if separate
- Transportation: varies
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Address: 717 S White Station Rd #7, Memphis, TN 38137
#3 Dental Assistant School of Memphis
Dental Assistant School of Memphis is a short local program for students who want dental assistant training in about 3 months.
It may be a good fit for adults who want a practical program with a faster schedule than a college route.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assistant program.
Training includes chairside assisting, sterilization, dental terminology, dental instruments, patient care, dental materials, dental office basics, and clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request current tuition before enrolling.
A practical short-program budget may include:
- Tuition: about $3,000 to $6,000
- Books and supplies: 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 13 weeks.
Address: 1195 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38105.
#4 Concorde Career College, Memphis
Concorde Career College is a private healthcare career school in Memphis.
It is a good fit for students who want a structured private-school program with labs, career services, and externship experience.
Programs Offered
Concorde offers a Dental Assistant diploma and Dental Assisting associate degree options in Tennessee.
The program includes dental sciences, chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, dental office procedures, and clinical skills.
Tuition and Cost
Students should request the current Memphis catalog cost sheet before enrolling.
A practical private-school budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $17,000 to $22,000
- Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,500
- Uniforms and lab materials: ask if included
- Application fee: about $100
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
- Transportation to externship: varies
Program Length
The diploma program can often be completed in about 9 to 10 months.
The associate degree option may take about 21 months.
Address: 5100 Poplar Ave., Suite 132Memphis, TN 38137
#5 University of Memphis Global
University of Memphis Global offers online career training options that may work for students who need flexibility.
This is best for students who want online dental assistant preparation rather than a traditional hands-on campus program.
Programs Offered
The online Clinical Dental Assistant course may cover dental anatomy, dental terminology, infection control, chairside assisting basics, radiology basics, patient care, dental records, office procedures, and exam preparation.
Students should ask about externship support, hands-on experience, and certification preparation before enrolling.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current online 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.
Address: 200 Brister Hall, Memphis, TN 38152-3520
Schools Summary Table
Tennessee 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 590 | $44,840 | $21.56 | $57,030 | $36,550 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | 280 | $44,470 | $21.38 | $57,350 | $35,960 |
| Cleveland, TN | 120 | $42,540 | $20.45 | $57,200 | $32,430 |
| Jackson, TN | 170 | $44,720 | $21.50 | $57,220 | $34,200 |
| Johnson City, TN | 220 | $46,420 | $22.32 | $58,150 | $35,660 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | 320 | $43,030 | $20.69 | $55,810 | $36,450 |
| Knoxville, TN | 780 | $45,040 | $21.65 | $56,490 | $37,010 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 990 | $47,620 | $22.89 | $59,340 | $36,150 |
| Morristown, TN | 110 | $42,280 | $20.33 | $51,770 | $33,950 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 2,370 | $49,450 | $23.78 | $61,430 | $39,780 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in Tennessee
