Richmond has several dental assistant training options, including short 10‑ to 12‑week programs, community college certificates, and private school diplomas.
Costs range from about $2,200 for online courses to more than $15,000 for private career programs.
Dental Assistants annual average salary in Virginia is $40,564 - ABOVE U.S. AVERAGE!
#1 J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Sargeant Reynolds Community College is one of the main public college options in Richmond.
It is a good fit for students who want a lower‑cost, college‑level dental assisting pathway.
Programs Offered
Reynolds offers a Dental Assisting Certificate.
The program includes classroom instruction, clinical labs, dental radiography, chairside assisting, infection control, dental materials, patient care, and dental office procedures.
Students are prepared for the Virginia residency, dental assisting credentialing, and clinic skills.
Tuition and Cost
Virginia community college tuition is typically lower than that of private programs.
A practical budget may include:
- Tuition and fees: about $4,000 to $6,500
- 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
Program Length
The program usually takes about 1 year.
Address: 1651 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228
#2 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry Continuing Education
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry offers dental assisting programs and continuing education options.
It is a good fit for students who want training connected to a major dental school in Richmond.
Programs Offered
VCU offers dental assistant training through continuing education or workforce development.
Programs typically include dental anatomy, dental terminology, chairside assisting, infection control, dental radiography preparation, patient care, clinical skills, and office procedures.
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current Continuing Education pricing.
A practical budget may include:
- Tuition: about $2,500 to $5,000
- Books and materials: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150
- CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150
- Exam or certification fees: about $200 to $700
- Transportation to clinics: varies
Program Length
Program length depends on the specific course or cohort; many similar continuing education programs run about 12 weeks.
Address: 521 North 11th Street, Suite 116, Richmond, Virginia
#3 Richmond Dental Assistant School
Richmond Dental Assistant School is a short‑term training program for students seeking a faster, lower‑cost route into dental assisting.
It is designed for beginners who want online lessons and hands‑on practice.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 12‑week Dental Assistant program.
Training typically includes:
- Chairside assisting
- Dental instruments and equipment
- Sterilization and infection control
- Patient care basics
- Dental materials
- Dental office procedures
- Radiology preparation
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $3,650.
A practical budget may include:
- Tuition: about $3,650
- Weekly payment plans: about $100 per week
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150
- CPR or certification fees: about $75 to $300 if separate
- Transportation: varies
Program Length
The program takes about 12 weeks.
Address: 4910 Caskie Street, Richmond, VA 23230
#4 Accelerated Academy, Richmond Area
Accelerated Academy offers a hybrid dental assistant training program in the Richmond area (often partnered with dental offices).
It is a good option for students who want a short schedule with online learning and in‑office training.
Programs Offered
The school offers a 10‑week Dental Assisting program.
Training usually includes:
- Online lessons
- Hands‑on dental office practice
- Chairside assisting
- Dental instruments
- Sterilization
- Patient care
- Dental office basics
Tuition and Cost
Tuition generally ranges from about $2,999 to $4,299.
A practical budget may include:
- Deposit: about $200
- Pay‑in‑full discount: about $300 when available
- Tuition: about $2,999 to $4,299
- Books and supplies: ask if included
- Scrubs or uniform: about $50 to $150
- CPR or BLS: about $75 to $150
Program Length
The program takes about 10 weeks.
Address: 4501 S Laburnum Ave Suite 540, Henrico, VA 23231, United States
#5 Dental Career Institute, Richmond Area
Dental Career Institute is a short dental assistant training option that may operate in or near Richmond.
It is a good fit for students who want a focused, entry‑level program with classroom and hands‑on components.
Programs Offered
The school offers a Dental Assistant program.
Training generally includes chairside assisting, dental instruments, infection control, sterilization, patient care, dental materials, and dental office procedures.
Tuition and Cost
Tuition is about $3,795.
A payment plan may include:
- Tuition: about $3,795
- Payment plan interest: about $55
- Total payment plan cost: about $3,850
- Weekly payments: about $290 for 10 weeks
- Books, supplies, and uniform: often included
Program Length
The program takes about 10 weeks and includes about 80 classroom hours.
Address: 18377 Beach Boulevard #328, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
#6 U.S. Career Institute Online Dental Assistant Program
U.S. Career Institute offers an online Dental Assistant training program that may suit Richmond students seeking flexibility.
It is best for students who are comfortable learning online and can arrange hands‑on practice or externship opportunities locally.
Programs Offered
The online program includes:
- Dental anatomy
- Dental terminology
- Infection control
- Patient care basics
- Dental office procedures
- Chairside assisting fundamentals
- Radiology basics
- Certification exam preparation
Students should ask how hands‑on practice or externship support works locally.
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.
Address: 2001 Lowe StreetFort Collins, CO 80525United States
#7 Texas Dental Assisting Academy (Nearby Options)
Texas Dental Assisting Academy serves students throughout Texas, but may offer classes accessible to Virginia students via hybrid or partnered locations.
Richmond students should confirm current availability and travel requirements.
Programs Offered
Dental assisting training generally includes:
- Chairside assisting
- Dental instruments
- Sterilization
- Infection control
- Patient care
- Dental materials
- Dental office basics
- Radiology fundamentals
Tuition and Cost
Students should confirm current tuition before enrolling.
A practical short‑program estimate may include:
- Tuition: about $3,000 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
Program Length
Many short dental assistant programs take about 10 to 12 weeks.
Richmond students should confirm the current schedule and location before enrolling.
Address: 6206 FM78 Suite A, San Antonio, TX 78244
Schools Summary Table
Virginia 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% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | 100 | $42,530 | $20.45 | $47,450 | $32,040 |
| Charlottesville, VA | 280 | $47,320 | $22.75 | $58,150 | $36,840 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | 190 | $44,400 | $21.35 | $57,710 | $35,530 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 210 | $44,120 | $21.21 | $56,610 | $36,990 |
| Richmond, VA | 1,570 | $47,900 | $23.03 | $59,690 | $37,970 |
| Roanoke, VA | 330 | $43,620 | $20.97 | $55,370 | $36,700 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | 120 | $44,650 | $21.47 | $57,140 | $37,560 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 2,070 | $45,500 | $21.88 | $57,740 | $35,930 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | 200 | $45,030 | $21.65 | $57,900 | $36,860 |
* Employment conditions may vary by location.
Schools by City in Virginia
