For those seeking to become a dental assistant quickly, these Philadelphia area programs offer accelerated paths that can be completed in three months or less, faster than most in the region. Each program combines intensive coursework and practical training to prepare students for entry-level positions in dental assisting.
Learn more about each program below, including details on costs, duration, schedules, certifications, locations, and contact information.
Browse Schools:
1. Shark Dental Academy
Shark Dental Academy offers an accelerated Dental Assistant program designed to be completed in as little as 10 weeks, although most students finish in approximately 14 weeks. This program includes 128 total hours, broken down into 45 contact hours, 51 lecture hours, and 32 externship hours. Classes are held on evenings, generally from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, providing a structured schedule to accommodate busy students.
The program covers essential dental assisting skills, including infection control, dental radiography, and clinical procedures. Students learn about dental anatomy, sterilization techniques, and the use of dental materials through both lecture and hands-on lab sessions. In addition, they gain experience in chairside assisting and patient preparation, fundamental skills for working in a dental practice.
The final component of the program is a 32-hour externship in a dental office, allowing students to apply their skills in a real-world environment. With small class sizes (4-6 students), Shark Dental Academy emphasizes personalized instruction, preparing students for entry-level positions in the dental field.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost | $3,000 |
| Program Duration | 10-18 weeks (typically 14 weeks) |
| Class Schedules | Evenings (5:30 PM – 7:30 PM) |
| Online Classes? | No |
| Location | Old York Rd, Abington, PA 19001 |
| Phone | (215) 583-0057 |
2. SmileSystems School of Dental Assisting
SmileSystems offers an accelerated 13-week Dental Assisting program with classes held twice weekly, combining lectures and hands-on lab sessions for a comprehensive 195-hour curriculum. The program covers essential topics, including dental sciences, chairside assisting, radiology, and infection control. Training takes place in a modern facility using the latest dental technology, such as digital scanning and intraoral photography.
Students complete a 50-hour externship in one of SmileSystems’ 14 affiliated dental practices across Bucks, Montgomery, and Philadelphia areas, allowing practical experience with real patients under the guidance of dental professionals. The program prepares students for the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) certification, with the school reporting high pass rates for first-time test takers.
For those interested in financing, SmileSystems offers multiple options through Meritize, accommodating various financial needs and providing flexibility for payment terms.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost | $3,000 |
| Program Duration | 13 weeks |
| Class Schedules | 2 days per week (lecture and lab sessions) |
| Online Classes? | No |
| Location | 575 Horsham Road Suite B12, Horsham, PA 19044 |
| Phone | (888) 551-9369 |
3. Lehigh Valley School of Dental Assisting
The Lehigh Valley School of Dental Assisting offers an accelerated 12-week program with flexible scheduling options, including weekday evenings, day classes, and a Friday full-day option. Students attend classes twice weekly, covering both lectures and hands-on labs. Sessions run either from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM on Fridays or 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for evening sessions.
The curriculum includes core topics such as dental anatomy, sterilization techniques, radiography, and clinical procedures, providing students with 40 hours of practical externship experience. Class sizes are capped at six students to ensure personalized instruction. This program prepares students to work directly in a dental office, allowing them to gain hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and practices.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost | $3,495 |
| Program Duration | 12 weeks |
| Class Schedules | Fridays (9:00 AM – 3:30 PM) or evenings (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM) |
| Online Classes? | No |
| Location | 881 3rd Street, Suite A-3, Whitehall, PA 18052 |
| Phone | (610) 510-7336 |
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We’ve handpicked the best dental assistant programs in Philadelphia—including online, accelerated, and part-time options—to help you find the right fit faster.
4. Contemporary Health Career Institute
The Contemporary Health Career Institute’s accelerated Dental Assistant program is structured to deliver essential dental assisting skills in 10 weeks. Held on Sundays, each session runs from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, immersing students in hands-on training within a modern dental facility. The curriculum covers fundamental skills, such as dental terminology, chairside assisting, and radiology, progressing from basic techniques to more specialized areas like prosthodontics.
Throughout the course, students are trained in infection control, radiology, and assisting for operative dentistry. They complete two radiology modules in preparation for the DANB Radiology Health & Safety Exam, which is required for dental X-ray certification in Pennsylvania and Delaware. The program concludes with a final exam and graduation, awarding a diploma in Dental Assisting.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost | $2,895 |
| Program Duration | 10 weeks |
| Class Schedules | Sundays, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Online Classes? | No |
| Location | 101 John Robert Thomas Dr, Exton, PA 19341 |
| Phone | (610) 363-9170 |
5. Coys Dental Academy
The accelerated 12-week program at Coys Dental Academy combines independent study with on-site hands-on training. Students are expected to complete lectures, reading, homework, and exams independently, while in-person classes are held three days a week. The program includes four exams on textbook material, which serve as the actual state certification tests required for Pennsylvania, eliminating the need for additional exams after program completion.
The curriculum covers essential dental assistant skills, such as patient treatment preparation, x-ray processing, sterilization procedures, and patient management. Upon completing the in-class portion, students begin a required 150-hour externship with a licensed Pennsylvania dentist. This externship, arranged directly with the dentist, can be completed over three to twelve months.
The total cost of $5,000 includes tuition, the externship, and certifications. After meeting all program requirements, graduates receive two certifications from the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), including a Dental X-ray Certificate, qualifying them for dental assisting roles in Pennsylvania.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Cost | $5,000 |
| Program Duration | 12 weeks |
| Class Schedules | 3 days per week (in-person) |
| Online Classes? | No |
| Location | 100 E Penn Square, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107 |
| Phone | 215-715-0701 |
Our Thoughts
Choosing the right accelerated dental assistant program in Philadelphia depends on your personal learning style, schedule, budget, and long-term career goals. Each of the programs listed offers a fast-track route into the field, but they differ in instructional approach, certification outcomes, schedule flexibility, and hands-on training.
We’ve included as much information as possible about these programs—costs, duration, class times, externship hours, and certifications—but there’s more to choosing the right program than what’s on paper.
Before enrolling, we strongly recommend:
- Speaking directly with admissions counselors or instructors to get a feel for the school’s culture and responsiveness.
- Asking about instructor quality, their real-world experience, and how engaged they are with students.
- Inquiring about career services, job placement support, and how long it typically takes graduates to find work.
- Exploring alumni outcomes and whether graduates return to recommend the program to others.
- Understanding the learning environment—Are students collaborative? Is the facility up-to-date? Do instructors take time to support individual learning styles?
Ultimately, the best dental assisting program is the one that aligns with your goals, schedule, and budget while offering a supportive and professional learning experience. Use our guide to narrow your list, but don’t skip the crucial step of reaching out and asking thoughtful questions before you decide.