The 4 Best Dental Assistant Programs in Little Rock, AR
Little Rock offers some of the top dental assistant programs in Arkansas. With a growing job market and competitive salaries, dental assisting is an appealing career option for many. This guide provides an in-depth look at Little Rock‘s top 4 dental assistant programs based on quality of education, hands-on training, career support services, and graduate success.
Apex Dental Education – Little Rock
Apex Dental Education is Little Rock‘s premier dental assisting program. The extensive 10-month diploma program provides over 800 hours of classroom and lab instruction.
Highlights:
- Award-winning instructors with years of field experience
- Brand new facility with cutting-edge dental equipment
- 160-hour externship at a local dental clinic
- 94% job placement rate for graduates
- Assistance with resume writing and interview prep
The all-encompassing curriculum covers areas like:
- Dental anatomy
- Radiology certification
- Restorative procedures
- Orthodontics
- Laboratory techniques
- Billing and coding
Students also prepare for national certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). With flexible financing and scholarships available, Apex gives students the skills to launch their dental careers.
Tuition: $13,995
Program Length: 10 Months
Earn a Diploma and Certifications In:
- Dental Assisting
- Radiation Health and Safety
- Coronal Polishing
- Anesthesia Assistance
- CPR/BLS
Eastern College of Health Vocations
Eastern College offers a comprehensive dental assisting diploma program at its Little Rock campus.
Highlights:
- Small class sizes with an 8:1 student-instructor ratio
- Externship placement assistance at a local dental office
- Job placement rates up to 87% within 6 months of graduation
- Prep for DANB’s Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) exam
- Tuition under $15,000 with flexible payment options
The 36-week full-time program provides training in:
- Chairside assisting and laboratory procedures
- Dental office administration
- Patient care and communication
- Radiation safety
- Infection control protocol
Students gain hands-on practice in the school’s on-site dental clinic with digital X-ray systems and cutting-edge equipment. Coursework is also enhanced with lectures from experienced dentists.
Tuition: $14,449
Program Length: 9 Months
Earn a Diploma and Certifications In:
- Dental Assisting
- Radiology
- CPR
- Infection Control
- OSHA Training
Central Arkansas School of Dental Assisting
With flexible day and evening classes, Central Arkansas School of Dental Assisting makes earning your dental assisting diploma convenient.
Highlights
- Hands-on clinical experience in an on-campus dental office
- Small classes with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio
- Externship placement assistance
- Prepares students for DANB certification
- Job placement rate over 90%
Key topics covered include:
- Chairside assisting procedures
- Patient communication
- Radiology and x-rays
- Impression taking
- Sterilization methods
- CPR and first aid
Dental equipment labs give students practice with digital x-rays, intraoral cameras, and other essential tools for patient care and administration. Students also gain experience during a 200 hour externship.
Tuition: $13,750
Program Length: 10 Months
Earn a Diploma and Certifications In:
- Dental Assisting
- Radiology
- CPR
- Coronal Polishing
- Infection Control
- HIPAA
Little Rock Dental Assistant Academy
This hands-on program prepares students for certification through DANB.
Highlights:
- Prepares students for national certification
- 82% pass rate on DANB exams
- Job placement assistance with a network of partner dental clinics
- Classes taught by RDA credentialed instructors
- Financial aid and scholarships available
The 326 clock-hour diploma program includes training in:
- Clinical procedures
- Patient care
- Radiology
- Practice administration
- Laboratory skills
- Emergency medicine
Students gain hands-on practice alongside experienced dentists during clinical rotations at local dental clinics. These experiences give students the confidence to excel in dental settings.
Tuition: $3,999
Program Length: 6 Months
Earn a Diploma and Certifications In:
- Dental Assisting
- Radiology Certificate
- CPR/BLS
- Coronal Polish
When researching dental assisting schools, here are a few key factors to consider:
Program Length: The longer 10-month programs include externships for more hands-on practice. But shorter 6 month programs allow you start working sooner.
Schedule: Daytime, evening and weekend courses provide flexibility.
Tuition Costs: Compare total tuition as well as available financial aid options.
Faculty Credentials: Instructors should have first-hand dental assisting experience.
Hands-on Training: Look for detailed information on hours spent training in real dental offices.
Career Support: The best programs provide job placement assistance and networking opportunities.
Certifications: Ensure the program covers certifications like Radiation Health and Safety to increase job prospects.
By balancing these factors against your career goals and constraints, you can determine which school is the optimal choice. Reach out to admissions staff with any questions!
With the growing demand for dental services across Arkansas, the job outlook for Little Rock dental assistants is strong. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of dental assistants in Arkansas is projected to grow 11% through 2030 – much faster than the national average.
As dentist offices expand services and existing assistants retire, plenty of job openings will need filled. Dental assistants with formal education, training and certifications will have the best prospects.
The average entry-level dental assistant salary in Little Rock is $35,000, with potential to earn $45,000 with experience. Top earners make over $55,000 per year. Benefits often include 401K matching, health/dental coverage, paid time off and tuition reimbursement.
Many of Little Rock‘s top dental practices recruit directly from local dental assisting schools. Graduating from a respected program like the ones featured can fast track you into an exciting, stable and rewarding career!