Most Affordable Dental Assistant Programs in Philadelphia

The Dental Occupations program at Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center offers training without tuition costs for students preparing for careers in dental assisting. Funded through various sponsorships, the program is available to students who meet eligibility requirements and covers most expenses, though students are responsible for minor costs such as uniforms and certification fees.

The program includes comprehensive training in core dental assistant duties, such as infection control, radiology, chairside assisting, and dental laboratory procedures. Students gain hands-on experience in an on-site clinic, where they perform tasks like mixing materials, assisting with dental radiography, and preparing treatment areas. Instruction covers a broad range of topics, including safety and emergency procedures, pharmacology, anatomy, and office skills, equipping students with practical knowledge to work in a clinical setting.

The program runs during the school day, with students following a high school academic calendar, and they are awarded several certifications upon completion, including CPR, Radiation Health & Safety, and OSHA Healthcare Certification.

The 100-hour Dental Assistant Program at Bucks County Community College prepares students for entry-level dental assisting roles. Offered with no tuition through PA CareerLink funding, eligible students can participate without cost, with additional scholarships available for those who qualify. This program combines both online and in-person learning, featuring a hybrid schedule designed to accommodate working adults and those with busy schedules.

Classes cover both administrative and clinical aspects of dental assisting. Topics include the history of dentistry, legal guidelines, and essential office procedures, as well as practical skills like dental radiography, sterilization techniques, and patient preparation. Clinical topics include oral anatomy, dental equipment handling, and patient positioning, providing a foundational skill set for dental office environments.

Students are also prepared for the DANB Radiology Health and Safety Examination (RHS), required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for any dental personnel performing radiographic procedures. While this exam costs $250, it is a separate fee and not included in the program’s funding. Classes meet on Tuesday evenings at the Newtown Campus and online on Thursday evenings, with sessions from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Students interested in completing their dental assistant training at no cost at the Community College of Philadelphia may qualify for tuition assistance through the Workforce Development Program. This scholarship program is designed to make short-term career training, including the National Entry-Level Dental Assistant program, accessible to eligible students.

To apply, students must first secure a student ID number by filling out a pre-scholarship application. Once they have access to the MyCCP portal, students can view available scholarships, complete the application, and submit it for consideration. Applications are reviewed by a scholarship board, and award notifications are sent by email.

The National Entry-Level Dental Assistant Program’s duration is 112 hours over three months, with a mix of online and in-person classes held on Saturdays. The curriculum covers essential skills in dental assisting, including dental radiology, infection control, and instrument handling. Students completing the program may sit for the DANB exams and earn three college credits, which can apply toward an associate degree in Health Care Studies at CCP. Additionally, students gain practical experience through an externship with CCP’s dental clinic or partner dental practices.

For more information or questions about eligibility, students are encouraged to contact the Workforce Development Program at Community College of Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) offers a Dental Assistant training program at no cost to eligible PHA residents. This program is provided in partnership with local organizations through PHA’s Community Partners Program, which supports resident career training by covering tuition expenses. Interested applicants should contact PHA directly to confirm eligibility, as requirements vary on an individual basis.

This Dental Assistant program covers key areas in dental assisting, including instrument preparation, patient care, dental radiology, and sterilization techniques. Classes combine lectures and hands-on experience, preparing students to perform essential tasks such as taking X-rays, maintaining patient records, and assisting during dental procedures. The program may also offer training on Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) tasks, though this is not confirmed and should be verified with PHA.

The program is housed at PHA’s main office, located at 2013 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19121. For additional details, PHA residents can call 215-684-4000 or contact their Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator to inquire about enrollment and class schedules.

The Dental Occupations program at Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center provides training without tuition for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders aiming for entry-level employment as dental assistants. Funding is covered through school district partnerships, making the program accessible without fees. The curriculum integrates lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on learning across dental topics. Students gain practical knowledge in healthcare basics, infection control, patient care, radiology, and dental materials.

Classes include real-world applications such as setting up treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, taking dental impressions, and chairside assistance. Students are trained to adhere to OSHA safety standards and are prepared for responsibilities like operating dental radiography equipment and maintaining a safe dental environment.

The program follows a structured syllabus divided into three levels. In Level 1, students start with an introduction to dental assisting, focusing on infection control and patient safety. Level 2 emphasizes office procedures, handling dental materials, and chairside dentistry. Level 3 covers advanced skills in radiology, oral surgery setup, and dental lab procedures. Upon completing the program, students are equipped with foundational skills needed for the dental field, providing a pathway to employment or further education in dental care.

Upper Bucks County Technical School offers a zero-tuition Dental Careers program for high school students, covering all major aspects of dental assisting and laboratory work. Students are required to pay for minor costs, including uniforms ($80), skid-resistant shoes ($35), and certification fees ($40). This program integrates practical experience with classroom learning, utilizing an onsite dental clinic where students assist a dentist chairside and engage in hands-on tasks, such as crafting dental prosthetics and educating younger students about dental hygiene.

The curriculum includes units on essential dental topics, such as Infection Control, Safety & Emergency Procedures, Radiology, Anatomy & Physiology, and Chairside Dentistry. Students also gain exposure to specialized areas, including Periodontics, Prosthodontics, and Oral Surgery. Throughout the program, students prepare for industry certifications, including Radiology Certification and CPR/AED certification, which are completed during their high school tenure.

Upper Bucks students can earn college credits through articulation agreements with Bucks County Community College, Harrisburg Area Community College, and Westmoreland County Community College. Depending on performance on the NOCTI/NIMS exam and completion of required tasks, students may qualify for up to 35 credits.

The Dental Assistant Program offered by the School District of Philadelphia requires no tuition for qualifying high school students. Funding is provided through the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which integrates this specialized training within regular high school coursework, allowing students to receive both academic and practical skills at no cost.

Spanning three years, beginning in 10th grade, the program includes 1,080 hours of instruction covering essential dental assisting skills. Courses focus on pre-clinical tasks, patient care, and administrative responsibilities. Specific subjects include oral anatomy, infection control, radiology, and chairside assisting. Students also practice using dental equipment and learn about OSHA and HIPAA compliance standards.

Certification is a key component of the program. Students are eligible to take several industry-standard exams, including the BLS Healthcare Provider certification, Infection Control Exam (ICE), and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS). The program’s structure combines classroom learning with hands-on experience under the supervision of industry-trained instructors, and students participate in real-world learning through internships and other work-based opportunities in local healthcare settings.