Dental assistant programs in Columbus, Ohio

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

13 schools offer these dental assisting programs with classes in the Columbus area, and every one is approved 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 Columbus, every program asks for a diploma or other schooling first.

See the 13 programs

All 69 dental assistant programs in Ohio, including online programs

How much do dental assistant programs cost in Columbus?

$4,000 to $5,665 is what most dental assistant programs in Columbus cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 13 programs with a price. All of them: $2,554 to $12,087

In the typical program

Finished the program: 98%
Working 6 months later: 79%
Earned a year, estimated: about $15,200
Length: Not reported

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

Are there free dental assistant programs in Columbus?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page.²³
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁴
Or pay yourself. Most dental assisting programs in Columbus cost $4,000 to $5,665.

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

All 13 dental assistant programs in Columbus approved for WIOA funding

13 programs

Dental assistantIn personEducation and courses
Dental Assisting School
Assist To Succeed Dental Assisting Schools
Newark
Education and courses
Assist To Succeed Dental Assisting Schools, Newark · Dental assistant · In person · Education and courses
Earned a year, estimated$10,900
Price if you pay yourself$5,665
Program website, Dental Assisting School at Assist To Succeed Dental Assisting Schools
More details about Dental Assisting School at Assist To Succeed Dental Assisting Schools
Finished
94%
Working at 6 months
83%
Earned in a quarter
$2,735
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$1,330
Students counted
161
a year, estimated
$10,900
price
$5,665
Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Dental Assisting
Dental Assistant Pro, LLC
Westerville
High school diploma or equivalent
Dental Assistant Pro, LLC, Westerville · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$10,800
Price if you pay yourself$3,700
Program website, Dental Assisting at Dental Assistant Pro, LLC
More details about Dental Assisting at Dental Assistant Pro, LLC
Finished
94%
Working at 6 months
75%
Earned in a quarter
$2,706
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$75
Students counted
115
a year, estimated
$10,800
price
$3,700
Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
First Impressions Dental Assisting Program
First Impressions Dental Assisting Program
Lancaster
High school diploma or equivalent
First Impressions Dental Assisting Program, Lancaster · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$21,700
Price if you pay yourself$4,115
Program website, First Impressions Dental Assisting Program at First Impressions Dental Assisting Program
More details about First Impressions Dental Assisting Program at First Impressions Dental Assisting Program
Finished
97%
Working at 6 months
86%
Earned in a quarter
$5,431
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$205
Students counted
64
a year, estimated
$21,700
price
$4,115
Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Dental Assistant
Academy DA
Columbus
High school diploma or equivalent
Academy DA, Columbus · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$30,600
Price if you pay yourself$4,500
Program website, Dental Assistant at Academy DA
More details about Dental Assistant at Academy DA
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
95%
Earned in a quarter
$7,645
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
57
a year, estimated
$30,600
price
$4,500
Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Columbus Academy of Dental Assisting
Columbus Academy of Dental Assisting
Dublin
High school diploma or equivalent
Columbus Academy of Dental Assisting, Dublin · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$5,000
Price if you pay yourself$4,620
Program website, Columbus Academy of Dental Assisting at Columbus Academy of Dental Assisting
More details about Columbus Academy of Dental Assisting at Columbus Academy of Dental Assisting
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
42%
Earned in a quarter
$1,242
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$150
Students counted
29
a year, estimated
$5,000
price
$4,620
Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Dental Assisting
Advanced Dental Assisting Academy
Columbus
High school diploma or equivalent
Advanced Dental Assisting Academy, Columbus · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$19,400
Price if you pay yourself$8,425
More details about Dental Assisting at Advanced Dental Assisting Academy
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
47%
Earned in a quarter
$4,860
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$1,395
Students counted
25
a year, estimated
$19,400
price
$8,425
Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA)In personEducation and courses
Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary
Central Ohio Technical College
Newark
Education and courses
Central Ohio Technical College, Newark · Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA) · In person · Education and courses
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$2,554
Program website, Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary at Central Ohio Technical College
More details about Expanded Function Dental Auxiliary at Central Ohio Technical College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$2,554
Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Columbus Dental Assisting
Columbus Dental Assisting
Worthington
High school diploma or equivalent
Columbus Dental Assisting, Worthington · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$3,850
Program website, Columbus Dental Assisting at Columbus Dental Assisting
More details about Columbus Dental Assisting at Columbus Dental Assisting
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$3,850
Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Dental Assisting
Adams Dental Assisting Academy
Gahanna
High school diploma or equivalent
Adams Dental Assisting Academy, Gahanna · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$4,000
Program website, Dental Assisting at Adams Dental Assisting Academy
More details about Dental Assisting at Adams Dental Assisting Academy
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$4,000
Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Certified Dental Assistant
American Healthcare Institute
Columbus
High school diploma or equivalent
American Healthcare Institute, Columbus · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$4,120
Program website, Certified Dental Assistant at American Healthcare Institute
More details about Certified Dental Assistant at American Healthcare Institute
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$375
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$4,120
Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA)In personPrerequisite courses
Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary (EFDA)
The Ohio State University
Columbus
Prerequisite courses
The Ohio State University, Columbus · Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA) · In person · Prerequisite courses
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$5,425
Program website, Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) at The Ohio State University
More details about Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary (EFDA) at The Ohio State University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$5,425
Orthodontic assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Ohio Orthodontic Assistant Academy
Ohio Orthodontic Assistant Academy
Columbus
High school diploma or equivalent
Ohio Orthodontic Assistant Academy, Columbus · Orthodontic assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$6,695
Program website, Ohio Orthodontic Assistant Academy at Ohio Orthodontic Assistant Academy
More details about Ohio Orthodontic Assistant Academy at Ohio Orthodontic Assistant Academy
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$1,095
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$6,695
Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Dental Assisting
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools
Carroll
High school diploma or equivalent
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools, Carroll · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$12,087
Program website, Dental Assisting at Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools
More details about Dental Assisting at Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$488
Students counted
Not reported
a year, estimated
Not reported
price
$12,087

How to pay for dental assistant programs in Columbus

WIOA funding can pay for dental assistant programs in Columbus

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

Where the Columbus dental assisting program numbers come from

Which Columbus dental assisting programs are on this list?

These are the dental assisting programs with classes in the Columbus area that are 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. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Ohio page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How Columbus 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 Columbus

Sources for the facts about dental assistant programs in Columbus

Show the 8 sourcesHide the sources

Dental assistant programs in Columbus, Ohio

How much do dental assistant programs cost in Columbus?

Are there free dental assistant programs in Columbus?

All 13 dental assistant programs in Columbus approved for WIOA funding

Dental Assisting School

Dental Assisting

First Impressions Dental Assisting Program