6 Best Dental Assistant Schools in Sacramento, CA

Lincoln Dental Assisting Academy offers an extensive pathway to a career in dental assisting.

The academy’s commitment to providing hands-on experiences is proven by graduates’ good reviews.

It shows the instructor’s expertise and the opportunity for students to assist licensed dentists directly.

This hands-on approach enriches the educational journey and guarantees that graduates are thoroughly equipped to tackle the demands of the dental profession.

Its emphasis on real-world application, coupled with a 100% pass rate, instills confidence in aspiring dental assistants about their readiness for the workforce.

Its program affordability and flexible schedules make it accessible for everyone aspiring dental assistants, including high school graduates, working professionals, and those seeking a career change.

About The Dental Assisting Program

Lincoln Dental Assisting Academy’s Dental Assisting program runs for 10 weeks.

It blends hands-on training, experienced instructors, and practical insights into real dental office procedures.

This approach ensures that students are well-versed in theory and also familiar with the actual working environment they’ll encounter upon employment.

Here are the curriculum guidelines:

• Foundations of Dental Knowledge and Tools
• Understanding Oral Anatomy
• Essentials of Four-Handed Dentistry
• Exploring Dental Imaging
• Materials and Procedures in Restorative Dentistry
• Procedures and Techniques in Restorative Dentistry
• Specialized Dental Procedures
• Advanced Restorative Dentistry
• Specialized Dental Treatments
• Management and Front Desk Operations
• Emergency Protocols in Dental Settings
• Pediatric Dentistry and Final Evaluation and more…

The practical training includes 50 hours of hands-on clinical experience and 40 hours of externship to apply acquired skills in a real-world setting.

UEI College is affiliated with the International Education Corporation, a company owned by its employees.

The college was established in 1982 as United Education Institute and underwent a name change in 2009 to become the institution it is today.

It has provided high-quality education and career training for over 40 years.

Its mission is to facilitate personal and community transformation by empowering students to make positive and enduring life changes.

The school offers vocational and trade school programs that align with the current industry standards.

It collaborates with employers and industry experts to regularly update its curriculum, software, and labs to stay updated on industry trends.

About The Dental Assisting Program

UEI College’s Dental Assistant Program is an extensive program that offers a quick route to graduation.

It allows you to become a dental assistant in as few as 10 months.

The unique hybrid learning model combines online classes, onsite labs, and a hands-on externship with a local employer, ensuring you receive a well-rounded education.

It also offers a 170-hour externship to acquire real-world experiences and apply the skills learned from the program.

The program covers the following topics:

• Dental Science/Medical Emergencies
• Chairside Assisting
• Radiography
• Dental Material
• Preventative Dentistry
• Dental Specialties
• Prosthodontics/Administrative Assistant
• Externship

Upon graduation, students will get a Dental Assistant Diploma.

Carrington College transforms lives through education, offering career-focused baccalaureate degrees, associate degrees, and certificate programs in healthcare, trades, and industrial majors.

With locations in seven western states, Carrington provides a quality college education, catering to a diverse student population.

It emphasizes a personalized learning experience, where instructors know students by name and bring practical working experience into the classroom.

The curriculum focuses on hands-on training using industry-relevant technologies and processes, allowing students to gain confidence through experiential learning.

The college is committed to equitable access to programs, resources, and services.

It encourages students to achieve their highest potential in alignment with career goals.

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits the school.

About The Dental Assisting Program

Carrington College’s Dental Assisting program is an extensive training initiative that equips students with the skills necessary for various aspects of working in collaboration with dentists.

The program covers patient care, office management, and laboratory duties, preparing individuals for a rewarding career in the dental field.

With a focus on real-world skills, students become adept at preventive dentistry, dental science, and dental office protocols.

The program offers flexibility through blended learning options, combining online lectures with on-ground labs in less than nine months.

Carrington College provides an affordable tuition structure that varies by location, ensuring accessibility for aspiring dental assistants.

The degree completion option allows students to uplevel their education.

Carrington’s career-focused approach ensures that graduates are well-prepared for various opportunities in dental offices.

Sacramento City College (SCC) was formerly a Sacramento High School in 1916.

It is under Belle Cooledge founding principles, an all-female class, reflecting a spirit of inclusion.

Cooledge’s vision was to create a safe, welcoming environment for students to pursue the fundamentals of a college education while creating community engagement through extracurricular activities.

Over a century later, SCC is the seventh-oldest community college in California and Sacramento’s oldest institution of higher learning.

Belle Cooledge’s founding principles continue to guide SCC, emphasizing diversity, quality education, and community partnership.

The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accredits the school to maintain high standards of academic excellence.

About The Dental Assisting Program

Sacramento City College’s Dental Assisting program offers an extensive full-time day program that starts in August yearly costing approximately $3,000 to $4,000.

The program leads to an Associate of Science Degree in Dental Assisting.

It holds accreditation from the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.

The program covers the following courses:

• Introduction to Dental Assisting
• Chairside Assisting
• Biodental Science
• Dental Anatomy and Morphology
• Patient Assessment
• Dental Radiology
• Registered Dental Assistant Advanced Duties
• Dental Patient Education
• Advanced Patient Assessment and Dental Imaging
• Practice Management for the Dental Assistant
• Registered Dental Assistant Advanced Duty Certifications
• Practice Management for the Dental Assistant
• Clinical Experience I
• Experimental Offering in Dental Assisting and more…

Upon completion of the curriculum enables students to take the National Board Examination, leading to certification as a Dental Assistant—a recognized credential throughout the United States.

Graduates can further apply for the Dental Board of California examination for state licensure as Registered Dental Assistants.

To be eligible for enrollment, students must complete DAST 100 – Introduction to Dental Assisting with a grade of “C” or better.

RDA4U has a collective experience of over 60 years in teaching Allied Dental Health Professionals (ADHPs).

It is led by Melodi Randolph and Julie Rodriguez and is dedicated to delivering exceptional dental education for licensed and unlicensed individuals in the field.

It offers various courses related to Dental Assisting such as an X-Ray Certification Course, Coronal Polish Certification, Pit and Fissure Sealant Certification, an 8-Hour Infection Control Class, and a Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry Course.

About The Dental Assisting Program

RDA For You’s Innovative Dental Assisting Certification Program is an extensive program that serves as the foundational starting point for aspiring dental assistants.

The program consists of six comprehensive modules and a self-paced, allowing students to progress at their own pace.

Each module takes approximately one month while hands-on training sessions will be scheduled at A Plus Dental Care.

Here are the six modules covered in the program:

• Introduction to Dental Assisting
• Basic Chair-Side Assisting
• Patient Assessment
• Dental Practice Act
• Radiation Safety Certification

Upon completing all six modules, you’ll receive your Dental Assisting certificate, including the Infection Control, CPR, Dental Practice Act, and X-ray licenses.

The total program cost is $4,800. Alternatively, paying upfront for the entire program will save you $800, reducing the total cost to $4,000.

Unitek College is a private institution established in 2002.

It offers a unique blend of academic and technical specialties to deliver quality education in healthcare and nursing.

It has seven convenient locations in California—Fremont, San Jose, Hayward, Concord, South San Francisco, Sacramento, and Bakersfield—plus a campus in Reno, Nevada.

Unitek College is committed to providing healthcare career training, professional development, clinical placement, and employment assistance to its graduates.

It is approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, ensuring compliance with state standards.

The Baccalaureate Degrees in Nursing hold accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) further validates the excellence of Unitek’s campuses.

About The Dental Assisting Program

Unitek College’s Dental Assisting Program is a hybrid (in-person & online) program designed to get students into the field efficiently.

The program lies in efficiency, allowing students to earn a diploma within 10 months.

This accelerated timeline enables students to gain hands-on experience sooner, opening doors to potential management roles, certifications, and specialty areas.

The program covers the following:

• Sterilization techniques
• Dental X-rays
• Handling Medical Emergencies
• Mastering Dental Instruments
• Master Dental Terminology
• Chairside Assisting for General
• Specialty Dentistry
• Dental Materials and Prevention
• Dental Radiology and more.

Upon completing the Dental Assisting program, students will get certificates in Infection Control, the Dental Practice Act, HIPAA, Radiology, Coronal Polishing, and Pit and Fissure Sealants.

Additionally, program graduates will be eligible to pursue various professional certification exams, such as the California Registered Dental Assisting (RDA) exam and the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam.