Weekend Dental Assistant Schools in Philadelphia

The National Entry-Level Dental Assistant Program at the Community College of Philadelphia is structured as an accelerated, 12-week course. Classes are held on weekends with a mix of online and in-person sessions, making it possible for students to balance their studies with other commitments. Students attend live online lectures every other Saturday, with hands-on lab sessions scheduled on alternating Saturdays at the Career and Advanced Technology Center.

The program covers key dental assisting skills, including infection control, radiology, anatomy, and instrument identification. Students also prepare for the Dental Assisting National Board Exams (DANB) with a focus on three components: Radiation Health and Safety, Infection Control, and Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology. After completion, students are eligible for an externship to gain real-world experience in a dental setting.

Shark Dental Academy’s Dental Assistant program is an accelerated, 10-18 week course designed to provide hands-on training in a real dental office setting. The course runs primarily on weekends and includes a mix of lecture, lab, and externship hours, with students spending evenings in classes from 5:30 to 7:30 PM.

The program covers key areas in dental assisting, including infection control, dental radiography, and chairside assisting. Students complete 128 total hours: 45 in contact hours, 51 in lectures, and 32 in an externship. This externship allows them to work directly with dental professionals, offering real-life experience before graduation. The small class sizes (4-6 students) ensure personalized attention, while the in-office learning environment exposes students to current dental technology and procedures.

The accelerated format enables students to complete the training in as little as 10 weeks by attending more than 8 hours weekly, although most finish in 14 weeks. Graduates may also receive assistance with job placement through the academy’s network of dental practices.

Lehigh Valley School of Dental Assisting’s program offers flexible weekend classes in a hands-on learning environment. The weekend format is designed for those with weekday commitments, holding classes on Saturdays from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. This structure allows students to complete the program in 12 weeks, including both in-class instruction and practical labs.

The curriculum covers core dental assisting skills such as dental anatomy, sterilization, x-ray techniques, and clinical procedures. The training includes 40 hours of externship at a local dental office, giving students real-world experience prior to graduation. With class sizes capped at six, students receive personalized instruction from experienced dental professionals. This program is ideal for those seeking an accelerated path into the dental assisting field with practical experience.

This 10-week program offers dental assistant training held exclusively on Sundays from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM at a modern dental facility in Exton. With an 80-hour course structure, students receive hands-on training in various aspects of dental assisting, covering topics such as introductory dental assisting, assisting for operative and prosthodontic dentistry, and essential radiology skills, among others.

Classes progress through foundational skills like infection control and instrumentation, then delve into specialty areas and advanced procedures. Midway through the program, students complete a radiology-focused module in preparation for the DANB Radiology Health & Safety Exam, required to operate X-ray equipment in Pennsylvania and Delaware. The program concludes with a final exam and graduation, with a total cost of $2,895, which includes textbooks and supplies.