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Dental assistant programs in New Mexico

18 dental assistant programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

12 schools offer these dental assisting programs, and New Mexico has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Dental assistants care for patients, take x-rays, keep records and schedule appointments. Many programs take about a year and lead to a certificate or diploma, and some states require you to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam.1 In New Mexico, 1 of the 18 programs takes students without a high school diploma, and 7 are taught partly or fully online.

See the 18 programs

How much do dental assistant programs cost in New Mexico?

$3,250 to $4,838 is what most dental assistant programs in New Mexico cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 18 programs with a price. All of them: $672 to $17,781

In the typical program

Finished the program
100%
Working 6 months later
80%
Earned a year, estimated
about $25,900
Length
8 to 32 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in New Mexico may also offer dental assistant programs. How these figures are made

Are there free dental assistant programs in New Mexico?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

Dental assistant programs in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe and other New Mexico cities

Choosing an area filters the list below. 1 in smaller cities and towns and 1 online.

All 18 dental assistant programs in New Mexico approved for WIOA funding

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Kind of program
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18 programs

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant - Certificate Program

    Pima Medical Institute - Central-C61

    Albuquerque

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Pima Medical Institute - Central-C61, Albuquerque · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$29,100
    Price if you pay yourself$17,781
    Program website, Dental Assistant - Certificate Program at Pima Medical Institute - Central-C61
    More details about Dental Assistant - Certificate Program at Pima Medical Institute - Central-C61
    Finished
    73%
    Working at 6 months
    31%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,279
    Length
    30 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $838
    Students counted
    300
    a year, estimated
    $29,100
    price
    $17,781

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting Program

    Carrington College Multi State and Campus C400

    Albuquerque

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Carrington College Multi State and Campus C400, Albuquerque · Dental assistant · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$14,515
    Program website, Dental Assisting Program at Carrington College Multi State and Campus C400
    More details about Dental Assisting Program at Carrington College Multi State and Campus C400
    Finished
    61%
    Working at 6 months
    53%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    228
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $14,515

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Advanced Dental Assisting Skills Certificate

    Santa Fe Community College-North-C24

    Based in Santa Fe, NM

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Santa Fe Community College-North-C24, based in Santa Fe, NM · Dental assistant · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$26,500
    Price if you pay yourself$672
    Program website, Advanced Dental Assisting Skills Certificate at Santa Fe Community College-North-C24
    More details about Advanced Dental Assisting Skills Certificate at Santa Fe Community College-North-C24
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,630
    Length
    32 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $150
    Students counted
    117
    a year, estimated
    $26,500
    price
    $672

  • Dental assistantIn personEducation and courses

    Dental Assistant Certificate

    Santa Fe Community College-North-C24

    Santa Fe

    Education and courses

    Santa Fe Community College-North-C24, Santa Fe · Dental assistant · In person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$26,500
    Price if you pay yourself$3,414
    Program website, Dental Assistant Certificate at Santa Fe Community College-North-C24
    More details about Dental Assistant Certificate at Santa Fe Community College-North-C24
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,630
    Length
    64 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $782
    Students counted
    117
    a year, estimated
    $26,500
    price
    $3,414

  • Dental assistant (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Associate in Applied Science Dental Health

    Santa Fe Community College-North-C24

    Santa Fe

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Santa Fe Community College-North-C24, Santa Fe · Dental assistant (associate degree) · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$26,500
    Price if you pay yourself$5,407
    Program website, Associate in Applied Science Dental Health at Santa Fe Community College-North-C24
    More details about Associate in Applied Science Dental Health at Santa Fe Community College-North-C24
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    83%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,630
    Length
    104 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,539
    Students counted
    117
    a year, estimated
    $26,500
    price
    $5,407

  • Dental assistantHybridNo diploma needed

    Dental Assisting

    New Mexico Junior College

    Hobbs

    No diploma needed

    New Mexico Junior College, Hobbs · Dental assistant · Hybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,200
    Program website, Dental Assisting at New Mexico Junior College
    More details about Dental Assisting at New Mexico Junior College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    79%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    8 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $150
    Students counted
    86
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $1,200

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting Course

    Pinnacle Institute

    Las Cruces

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Pinnacle Institute, Las Cruces · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,650
    Program website, Dental Assisting Course at Pinnacle Institute
    More details about Dental Assisting Course at Pinnacle Institute
    Finished
    96%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    13 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $350
    Students counted
    79
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $4,650

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting Class

    New Mexico Institute of Dental Assisting

    Albuquerque

    High school diploma or equivalent

    New Mexico Institute of Dental Assisting, Albuquerque · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$25,200
    Price if you pay yourself$7,000
    Program website, Dental Assisting Class at New Mexico Institute of Dental Assisting
    More details about Dental Assisting Class at New Mexico Institute of Dental Assisting
    Finished
    69%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,295
    Length
    13 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $100
    Students counted
    56
    a year, estimated
    $25,200
    price
    $7,000

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting/Assistant

    American Institute of Dental Assisting

    Albuquerque

    High school diploma or equivalent

    American Institute of Dental Assisting, Albuquerque · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,250
    Program website, Dental Assisting/Assistant at American Institute of Dental Assisting
    More details about Dental Assisting/Assistant at American Institute of Dental Assisting
    Finished
    75%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    7 weeks, 6 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,750
    Students counted
    43
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,250

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    New Mexico Dental Institute Inc

    Socorro

    High school diploma or equivalent

    New Mexico Dental Institute Inc, Socorro · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$11,400
    Price if you pay yourself$3,700
    Program website, Dental Assisting at New Mexico Dental Institute Inc
    More details about Dental Assisting at New Mexico Dental Institute Inc
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    $2,850
    Length
    8 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $250
    Students counted
    38
    a year, estimated
    $11,400
    price
    $3,700

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant - Certificate of Completion

    Dona Ana Community College of NMSU - C16

    Las Cruces

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Dona Ana Community College of NMSU - C16, Las Cruces · Dental assistant · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$25,000
    Price if you pay yourself$4,590
    Program website, Dental Assistant - Certificate of Completion at Dona Ana Community College of NMSU - C16
    More details about Dental Assistant - Certificate of Completion at Dona Ana Community College of NMSU - C16
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    68%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,262
    Length
    8 weeks, 32 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,045
    Students counted
    31
    a year, estimated
    $25,000
    price
    $4,590

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant Certificate

    Luna Community College-North-C09

    Las Vegas

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Luna Community College-North-C09, Las Vegas · Dental assistant · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$21,700
    Price if you pay yourself$2,463
    Program website, Dental Assistant Certificate at Luna Community College-North-C09
    More details about Dental Assistant Certificate at Luna Community College-North-C09
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    77%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,429
    Length
    40 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,802
    Students counted
    19
    a year, estimated
    $21,700
    price
    $2,463

  • Orthodontic assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting/Assistant - Orthodontic

    American Institute of Dental Assisting

    Albuquerque

    High school diploma or equivalent

    American Institute of Dental Assisting, Albuquerque · Orthodontic assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,250
    Program website, Dental Assisting/Assistant - Orthodontic at American Institute of Dental Assisting
    More details about Dental Assisting/Assistant - Orthodontic at American Institute of Dental Assisting
    Finished
    77%
    Working at 6 months
    88%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    3 weeks, 6 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,750
    Students counted
    13
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,250

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant/Assistant - Office Management

    American Institute of Dental Assisting

    Albuquerque

    High school diploma or equivalent

    American Institute of Dental Assisting, Albuquerque · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,250
    Program website, Dental Assistant/Assistant - Office Management at American Institute of Dental Assisting
    More details about Dental Assistant/Assistant - Office Management at American Institute of Dental Assisting
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    13 weeks, 6 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,750
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,250

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting/Assistant - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dental Assisting

    American Institute of Dental Assisting

    Albuquerque

    High school diploma or equivalent

    American Institute of Dental Assisting, Albuquerque · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,250
    Program website, Dental Assisting/Assistant - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dental Assisting at American Institute of Dental Assisting
    More details about Dental Assisting/Assistant - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dental Assisting at American Institute of Dental Assisting
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    13 weeks, 6 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,750
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,250

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting accelerated program

    Pinnacle Institute

    Las Cruces

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Pinnacle Institute, Las Cruces · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,975
    Program website, Dental Assisting accelerated program at Pinnacle Institute
    More details about Dental Assisting accelerated program at Pinnacle Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    7 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $525
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,975

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant, Certificate Program

    Quality Health Management

    Albuquerque

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Quality Health Management, Albuquerque · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,500
    Program website, Dental Assistant, Certificate Program at Quality Health Management
    More details about Dental Assistant, Certificate Program at Quality Health Management
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    14 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $400
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $4,500

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    NM Dental Academy, LLC

    Albuquerque

    High school diploma or equivalent

    NM Dental Academy, LLC, Albuquerque · Dental assistant · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,900
    Program website, Dental Assisting at NM Dental Academy, LLC
    More details about Dental Assisting at NM Dental Academy, LLC
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    10 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,100
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $4,900

How to pay for dental assistant programs in New Mexico

WIOA funding can pay for dental assistant programs in New Mexico

Every program on this page is approved for WIOA funding: public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It can pay for training for eligible adults, people who lost their job and young people.2People on public assistance, with a low income or lacking basic skills come first, and veterans have priority.3

Ask at an American Job Center

Eligibility rules apply, and services vary from state to state. Your local American Job Center can tell you whether you qualify. The Department of Labor's page links to the center finder, or call 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).4

Financial aid and grants for dental assistant programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.56

GI Bill for dental assistant programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.7

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Quick facts: Dental assistant programs in New Mexico

programs with a price cost under $3,000
3 of 18
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
11th of 32
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
7 of 22
dental assistant programs here, against the typical state's 12
18 vs 12

State comparisons use the same figures as the dental assistant programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Where the New Mexico dental assisting program numbers come from

Which New Mexico dental assisting programs are on this list?

These are the dental assisting programs New Mexico approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).8 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what New Mexico offers.

How New Mexico dental assisting program prices are reported

The price is tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported it. Prices under $100 are treated as not reported, because the file holds many blanks entered as $0. Check the current price with the school.

What the graduate results of these programs measure

The figures at the top of this page are the middle program among those that report results: half did better, half did worse. Results describe students who left each program in recent years: the share who finished, the share working in the second quarter after leaving, and the middle earnings of those working in that quarter. States report earnings for that one quarter because they take them from the wage reports employers file every three months. The yearly figure here is that quarter times four, rounded to the nearest $100: an estimate, and an early one, since it is measured about half a year after training. The quarter as reported is under "More details" on each program. Results are withheld for small programs, and they describe past students, so they are no guarantee.

Why do some dental assisting programs say "Not reported"?

Where a school or the state left a field empty, or the Department of Labor withheld it, the page says "Not reported". Nothing here is estimated to fill a gap.

Why the kind of school is left off each program

The file also records whether a school is public, private or nonprofit, but those entries are wrong too often to print next to a school's name, so this page leaves them out.

Other training in New Mexico

Sources for the facts about dental assistant programs in New Mexico

Show the 8 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Assistants
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  5. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  7. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  8. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List