8 Best Dental Assistant Schools in San Antonio, TX

San Antonio College is one of the strongest dental-assisting programs in San Antonio.

It is a public college and a good fit for students who want an accredited program with a full college structure and lower tuition than many private schools.

Programs Offered

San Antonio College offers a Dental Assisting program.

The program includes chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, dental office procedures, clinical dental skills, and preparation for dental assisting credentials.

Students can earn both a certificate and an Associate of Applied Science pathway.

Tuition and Cost

Students should confirm current Alamo Colleges tuition and fees before applying.

A practical 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 program is full-time and takes about 3 semesters.

Enrollment is fall-entry only, and the program accepts about 24 students per class.

San Antonio Dental Assistant School is a short-term dental assistant program for students seeking a faster, lower-cost route into the field.

It is designed for beginners who want online coursework 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, infection control, dental materials, patient care, dental 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.

Concorde Career College is a private healthcare career school with a San Antonio campus.

It is a good fit for students who want a structured dental assistant diploma program with classroom learning, labs, and clinical experience.

Programs Offered

Concorde offers a Dental Assistant diploma program.

The curriculum 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 current San Antonio campus pricing 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 program can be completed in about 9 months.

University of the Incarnate Word offers a dental assistant certification program through its School of Professional Studies.

It is a good fit for students who want a university-affiliated short program with classroom and hands-on training.

Programs Offered

UIW offers a Dental Assistant Certification program.

The program prepares students for the Registered Dental Assistant state exam and includes classroom instruction, audio-visual learning, and hands-on experience at local dental offices.

Training includes chairside assisting, dental terminology, infection control, dental instruments, patient care, dental office procedures, and RDA preparation.

Tuition and Cost

Students should confirm current tuition before enrolling.

A practical budget may include:

• Tuition: about $2,000 to $4,500
• Books and materials: ask if included
• Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150
• CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150 if separate
• RDA exam or registration costs: about $100 to $500
• Transportation to dental office training sites: varies

Program Length

The program takes about 12 weeks.

Texas Dental Assisting School is located in San Antonio and offers a short dental assistant program for students who want a local, dental-focused training option.

Programs Offered

The school offers a Dental Assisting program.

Training includes chairside assisting, dental instruments, sterilization, infection control, dental materials, patient care, dental office procedures, hands-on labs, and internship experience.

Tuition and Cost

Students should request the current tuition sheet before enrolling.

A practical short-program budget may include:

• Tuition: about $3,500 to $6,500
• Books and supplies: about $100 to $500
• Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150
• CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150
• X-ray or registration fees: about $100 to $500
• Registration or deposit: varies

Program Length

The program takes about 13 weeks.

Palo Alto College, part of Alamo Colleges, offers an online Registered Dental Assistant certification course and exam.

This is best for students who need Texas RDA certification preparation rather than a full hands-on dental assisting program.

Programs Offered

The RDA Certification Course and Examination focuses on the required Texas areas for dental assistant registration.

Training includes infection control, dental radiology, and dental jurisprudence.

Tuition and Cost

Students should confirm the current course price before registering.

A practical budget may include:

• Course and exam fee: about $100 to $300
• Study materials: may be included
• RDA application fee: about $36 to $75, depending on current state fees
• CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150 if needed
• Optional extra study materials: about $25 to $100

Program Length

The course is online and can usually be completed quickly, often in a few days to a few weeks, depending on the student’s pace.

South Texas Vocational Technical Institute has Texas campuses and offers dental assisting training.

San Antonio students should confirm current campus availability and whether the nearest active dental assisting location works for their commute.

Programs Offered

STVT offers a Dental Assisting diploma program.

The program includes chairside assisting, dental radiography, infection control, dental materials, patient care, dental anatomy, dental office procedures, and hands-on clinical skills.

Tuition and Cost

Students should request current pricing before enrolling.

A practical private-school budget may include:

• Tuition and fees: about $15,000 to $22,000
• Books and supplies: about $500 to $1,500
• Uniforms and lab materials: about $100 to $500
• CPR or certification fees: about $200 to $700
• Transportation: varies

Program Length

The program may take about 15 months, depending on campus and schedule.

U.S. Career Institute offers an online Dental Assistant program that may work for San Antonio students who need a flexible schedule.

It is best for students who are comfortable learning online and can arrange hands-on practice separately if needed.

Programs Offered

The online program covers dental anatomy, dental terminology, infection control, patient care, dental office procedures, chairside assisting basics, radiology basics, and certification exam preparation.

Tuition and Cost

Tuition options include:

• Pay-in-full price: about $1,239
• Monthly payment plan: about $79 per month
• Payment plan total: about $1,539
• Books and materials: ask if included
• CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150 if separate
• Optional local hands-on training costs: varies

Program Length

The program is online and self-paced.

Many students complete it in several months, depending on weekly study time.