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Dental assistant programs in Pennsylvania

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

20 schools offer these dental assisting programs, and Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, 1 of the 24 programs takes students without a high school diploma, and 21 are taught partly or fully online.

See the 24 programs

How much do dental assistant programs cost in Pennsylvania?

$3,432 to $11,283 is what most dental assistant programs in Pennsylvania cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 24 programs with a price. All of them: $1,160 to $34,500

In the typical program

Finished the program
92%
Working 6 months later
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Too few programs to say
Length
15 to 43 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 Pennsylvania may also offer dental assistant programs. How these figures are made

Are there free dental assistant programs in Pennsylvania?

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

Dental assistant programs in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Austin and other Pennsylvania cities

Choosing an area filters the list below. 13 programs are online.

All 24 dental assistant programs in Pennsylvania approved for WIOA funding

Filters
What you need to enroll
Kind of program
How it's taught
How to show the list

24 programs

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting Certificate

    Harrisburg Area Community College

    Based in Harrisburg, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Harrisburg Area Community College, based in Harrisburg, PA · Dental assistant · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$10,702
    Program website, Dental Assisting Certificate at Harrisburg Area Community College
    More details about Dental Assisting Certificate at Harrisburg Area Community College
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    28 weeks, 33 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,876
    Students counted
    69
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $10,702

  • Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA)

    Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology

    Based in Pleasant Gap, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, based in Pleasant Gap, PA · Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA) · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,286
    More details about Expanded Functions Dental Assistant (EFDA) at Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    15 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $425
    Students counted
    50
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $5,286

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    Institute Of Medical Careers Inc

    Pittsburgh

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Institute Of Medical Careers Inc, Pittsburgh · Dental assistant · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$22,900
    More details about Dental Assisting at Institute Of Medical Careers Inc
    Finished
    65%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    51 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    40
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $22,900

  • Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Expanded Function Dental Assistant Certificate

    Greater Altoona Career &

    Based in Altoona, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Greater Altoona Career &, based in Altoona, PA · Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA) · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,250
    Program website, Expanded Function Dental Assistant Certificate at Greater Altoona Career &
    More details about Expanded Function Dental Assistant Certificate at Greater Altoona Career &
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    24 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $750
    Students counted
    38
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $5,250

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Office Assistant/Chairside Assistant

    Reading Area Community College

    Based in Reading, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Reading Area Community College, based in Reading, PA · Dental assistant · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,125
    Program website, Dental Office Assistant/Chairside Assistant at Reading Area Community College
    More details about Dental Office Assistant/Chairside Assistant at Reading Area Community College
    Finished
    92%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    30 weeks, 21 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,400
    Students counted
    31
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $6,125

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant

    York County School Of Technology

    Based in York, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    York County School Of Technology, based in York, PA · Dental assistant · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$13,025
    More details about Dental Assistant at York County School Of Technology
    Finished
    70%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    41 weeks, 23 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,180
    Students counted
    30
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $13,025

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    Bucks County Community College

    Newtown

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Bucks County Community College, Newtown · Dental assistant · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$38,200
    Price if you pay yourself$2,300
    More details about Dental Assisting at Bucks County Community College
    Finished
    96%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,554
    Length
    17 weeks, 6 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $469
    Students counted
    24
    a year, estimated
    $38,200
    price
    $2,300

  • Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA)OnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA)

    Greater Altoona Career &

    Based in Altoona, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Greater Altoona Career &, based in Altoona, PA · Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA) · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$15,755
    Program website, Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) at Greater Altoona Career &
    More details about Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) at Greater Altoona Career &
    Finished
    40%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    39 weeks, 27 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,840
    Students counted
    20
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $15,755

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting w/Externship

    Northampton Community College

    Based in Bethlehem, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northampton Community College, based in Bethlehem, PA · Dental assistant · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,999
    Program website, Dental Assisting w/Externship at Northampton Community College
    More details about Dental Assisting w/Externship at Northampton Community College
    Finished
    92%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 32 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,455
    Students counted
    14
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $2,999

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting and Oral Radiology Test Preparation

    Middle Bucks Institute Of

    Based in Jamison, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Middle Bucks Institute Of, based in Jamison, PA · Dental assistant · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,160
    Program website, Dental Assisting and Oral Radiology Test Preparation at Middle Bucks Institute Of
    More details about Dental Assisting and Oral Radiology Test Preparation at Middle Bucks Institute Of
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    14 weeks, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $72
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $1,160

  • Dental assistantHybridNo diploma needed

    Clinical Dental Assistant - Ed2Go

    Butler County Community College

    Butler

    No diploma needed

    Butler County Community College, Butler · Dental assistant · Hybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,295
    Program website, Clinical Dental Assistant - Ed2Go at Butler County Community College
    More details about Clinical Dental Assistant - Ed2Go at Butler County Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 6 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $2,295

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    National Entry-Level Dental Assistant Program

    Community College Of Philadelphia

    Philadelphia

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Community College Of Philadelphia, Philadelphia · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,999
    More details about National Entry-Level Dental Assistant Program at Community College Of Philadelphia
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    14 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,830
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $2,999

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant (200 Hours)

    Lehigh Career & Technical Institute

    Based in Schnecksville, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Lehigh Career & Technical Institute, based in Schnecksville, PA · Dental assistant · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,380
    Program website, Dental Assistant (200 Hours) at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
    More details about Dental Assistant (200 Hours) at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    15 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $120
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,380

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant Bootcamp

    QS Academy Inc.

    Austin, TX

    High school diploma or equivalent

    QS Academy Inc., Austin, TX · Dental assistant · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Classes are outside Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,450
    Program website, Dental Assistant Bootcamp at QS Academy Inc.
    More details about Dental Assistant Bootcamp at QS Academy Inc.
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,450

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant Entry Level

    Butler County Community College

    Butler

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Butler County Community College, Butler · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,799
    School website, Dental Assistant Entry Level at Butler County Community College
    More details about Dental Assistant Entry Level at Butler County Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 9 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,799

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting for Non-Native English Speakers

    Bucks County Community College

    Newtown

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Bucks County Community College, Newtown · Dental assistant · In person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$3,986
    More details about Dental Assisting for Non-Native English Speakers at Bucks County Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    21 weeks, 7 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $469
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $3,986

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant Training Program

    University Of Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh

    High school diploma or equivalent

    University Of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh · Dental assistant · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,770
    School website, Dental Assistant Training Program at University Of Pittsburgh
    More details about Dental Assistant Training Program at University Of Pittsburgh
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    15 weeks, 18 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,267
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $4,770

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting Program

    Oceanpointe Dental Assisting Academy of Philadelphia LLC

    Newtown

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Oceanpointe Dental Assisting Academy of Philadelphia LLC, Newtown · Dental assistant · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,980
    More details about Dental Assisting Program at Oceanpointe Dental Assisting Academy of Philadelphia LLC
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 13 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $4,980

  • Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA)OnlineEducation and courses

    Expanded Function Dental Assistant

    Stvt-Aai Education Inc Dba Berks

    Based in Reading, PA

    Education and courses

    Stvt-Aai Education Inc Dba Berks, based in Reading, PA · Expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA) · Online · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,000
    School website, Expanded Function Dental Assistant at Stvt-Aai Education Inc Dba Berks
    More details about Expanded Function Dental Assistant at Stvt-Aai Education Inc Dba Berks
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    20 weeks, 10 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $5,000

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Health Technology

    Sun Area Technical Institute

    Based in New Berlin, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Sun Area Technical Institute, based in New Berlin, PA · Dental assistant · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,500
    Program website, Dental Health Technology at Sun Area Technical Institute
    More details about Dental Health Technology at Sun Area Technical Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $450
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $6,500

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    Somerset County Technology Center

    Based in Somerset, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Somerset County Technology Center, based in Somerset, PA · Dental assistant · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$8,500
    More details about Dental Assisting at Somerset County Technology Center
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    38 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,280
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $8,500

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Occupations

    Berks Career & Technology Ctr

    Based in Oley, PA

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Berks Career & Technology Ctr, based in Oley, PA · Dental assistant · Online · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$17,082
    Program website, Dental Occupations at Berks Career & Technology Ctr
    More details about Dental Occupations at Berks Career & Technology Ctr
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    73 weeks, 30 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $817
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $17,082

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    Amtc II Inc

    Scranton

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Amtc II Inc, Scranton · Dental assistant · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$19,832
    More details about Dental Assisting at Amtc II Inc
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,312
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $19,832

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

    Dental Assisting

    Stvt-Aai Education Inc Dba Berks

    Reading

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Stvt-Aai Education Inc Dba Berks, Reading · Dental assistant (associate degree) · Hybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$34,500
    School website, Dental Assisting at Stvt-Aai Education Inc Dba Berks
    More details about Dental Assisting at Stvt-Aai Education Inc Dba Berks
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    70 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $40
    Students counted
    Not reported
    a year, estimated
    Not reported
    price
    $34,500

How to pay for dental assistant programs in Pennsylvania

WIOA funding can pay for dental assistant programs in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania

programs with a price cost under $3,000
5 of 24
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
25th of 32
dental assistant programs here, against the typical state's 12
24 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 Pennsylvania dental assisting program numbers come from

Which Pennsylvania dental assisting programs are on this list?

These are the dental assisting programs Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania offers.

How Pennsylvania 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.

How reliable are the Pennsylvania figures?

We leave out the share working 6 months later for Pennsylvania: its rates sit far below every other state's, and the counts suggest jobs were traced only for students whose training was publicly paid.

Other training in Pennsylvania

Sources for the facts about dental assistant programs in Pennsylvania

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