The Top 20 Dental Assistant Programs in St. Louis, MO in 2026
As a higher education reform expert living in St. Louis in 2024, I analyze local colleges and trends to provide the public with insightful information. After extensive research on dental assistant programs in the area, I‘ve compiled this expert guide on the top options in St. Louis for aspiring dental assistants in 2024.
Overview of Dental Assistant Training in St. Louis
St. Louis has developed into a hub for dental assistant training over the past few years. With several accredited programs at colleges, technical schools, and dental offices, the metro area offers aspiring dental assistants high-quality education options in both classroom and clinical settings.
Many local programs take a blended training approach with a curriculum covering core theory and knowledge areas like anatomy, infection control, radiography, and lab techniques combined with hands-on clinical experience in on-site dental clinic settings. This comprehensive education readies graduates to take on a variety of duties alongside dentists including patient education, sterilization, X-rays, and some areas of basic patient care.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation has accredited many local programs, signifying they meet stringent national standards for intensive, high-quality education. Additionally, several non-accredited programs still provide excellent training. Graduates qualify to take the Dental Assisting National Board exam to become a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) and boost career prospects.
Competition has increased in recent years among St. Louis dental assistant programs, prompting many to invest in upgraded technologies and state-of-the-art teaching clinics to remain attractive to prospective students. Let‘s explore the top 20 programs in detail.
The 20 Best Dental Assistant Programs in St. Louis
1. St. Louis Community College – Forest Park
With its convenient location and comprehensive blended curriculum, SLCC-Forest Park‘s dental assisting program has earned a strong reputation. The year-long diploma program provides classroom and lab instruction plus 300 hours of clinical experience. Graduates have achieved a 100% pass rate on the DANB exam over the past decade. SLCC also offers a dental assistant short-term certificate.
Location: 5600 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Accredited: Yes
Format: On-campus and online
Duration: 11 months
Annual Tuition: $3,330 in-district; $5,910 out-of-district
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; college placement test
Enrollment Seasons: Fall, spring
2. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville – Dental Assistant Program
SIUE‘s dental assistant program through the School of Dental Medicine covers a well-rounded curriculum over 32 weeks, including courses in radiology, infection control, preventive dentistry, and lab techniques. Students gain experience through 300+ hours of clinical work at the on-campus dental clinic.
Location: 2800 College Ave, Alton, IL 62002
Accredited: Yes
Format: On-campus
Duration: 8 months
Tuition: $4,950
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Enrollment Seasons: Fall, spring
3. Maryville University – Dental Assisting Program
This private university offers an Associate of Science degree in dental assisting through the College of Health Professions. The 80-credit program combines classroom learning with over 400 hours of clinical experience across various specialties at the Maryville dental clinic.
Location: 650 Maryville University Dr, Town and Country, MO 63141
Accredited: Yes
Format: On-campus
Duration: 2 years
Tuition: $620 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, college placement scores
Enrollment Seasons: Fall, spring
4. Modern Dental Assistant School
With a prime location in Creve Coeur, this private career college offers a reasonably priced 10-month dental assisting diploma program with flexible day and evening options. Modern emphasizes hands-on training with 400 clinical hours at private dental offices.
Location: 12528 Olive Blvd #202, Creve Coeur, MO 63141
Accredited: No
Format: On-campus
Duration: 10 months
Tuition: $13,998
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Enrollment Seasons: Rolling
5. Midwest Dental Assisting School
Midwest Dental in Earth City offers affordable training through an intensive 12-week daytime diploma program or more extended 20-week evening program. Students gain at least 300 hours of clinical practice across specialties at local dentists‘ offices.
Location: 11758 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63126
Accredited: No
Format: On-campus
Duration: 3-5 months
Tuition: $2,650
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Enrollment Seasons: Rolling
6. Concorde Career College
The private for-profit Concorde Career College offers a dental assisting diploma through the Dental Hygiene/Assisting program at its campus in Kansas City. This 9-month track has limited enrollment per cohort and includes in-depth clinical experience.
Location: 3216 Broadway St, Kansas City, MO 64111
Accredited: Yes
Format: On-campus
Duration: 9 months
Tuition: $16,998
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Enrollment Seasons: Varies; 3 start dates per year
7. American Dental Academy
Headquartered in St. Louis County, ADA works with many local dentist offices to provide on-site training programs for dental assistants. Both part-time and accelerated courses provide a blended curriculum with at least 100 hours of clinical practice.
Locations: Various partner dentist offices
Accredited: No
Format: Online & in-person
Duration: Varies by program
Tuition: $4,000-$8,000 range
Enrollment Seasons: Ongoing open enrollment
8. Dental Assistant Pro
This emerging national provider of online dental assistant diplomas recently launched a St. Louis campus location. The program offers flexible blended training with 70 hours of clinical experience across specializations at local dentists‘ offices.
Location: 10970 Gravois Industrial Ct Suite 120, St. Louis, MO 63128
Accredited: No
Format: Online and on-campus
Duration: 10 weeks, self-paced
Tuition: $3,997
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
Enrollment Seasons: Rolling admissions
9. Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center
Cape Girardeau offers an affordable dental assisting program through the Cape Area Career Center. This one-semester program includes 96 hours of coursework plus 96 hours of clinical experience. Graduates have achieved 100% job placement rates over the past two years.
Location: 1080 S. Silver Springs Rd, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703
Accredited: Yes
Format: On-campus
Duration: 4 months
Tuition: $1,050
Enrollment Seasons: Varies; multiple start dates per year
10. The Dental Assisting Institute
New to the St. Louis market, national provider Dental Assisting Institute expanded into Fenton offering a combination home study and in-office program. Students complete coursework online then gain experience through 100+ clinical hours at local offices.
Location: 562 Eureka Rd Suite A, Fenton, MO 63026
Accredited: No
Format: Online/in-office blended
Duration: 4-12 months, self-paced
Tuition: $1,295
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or GED
Enrollment Seasons: Ongoing, rolling admissions
11. Missouri College of Dental Assisting
MCDS offers accelerated daytime or part-time evening programs for dental assisting across two St. Louis locations. The curriculum covers dental specialties through classroom and lab learning plus clinical practice. Career placement assistance is also included.
Locations: North County, West County
Accredited: No
Format: On-campus
Duration: 10-20 weeks range
Tuition: $3,800-$5,900 range
Enrollment Seasons: Set start dates year-round
12. Assist to Succeed Dental Assisting School
Founded in 2021, this small St. Charles-based career college emphasizes affordable, quality training in an 11-week program covering radiology, infection control, lab skills and basic patient care. Over 100 clinical externship hours provide real-world experience.
Location: 2331 W Clay St #101, St. Charles, MO 63301
Accredited: No
Format: On-campus
Duration: 11 weeks
Tuition: $3,499
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma/GED
Enrollment Seasons: Rolling admissions
13. United Dental Assistants Association
New to the market, UDAA expanded into St. Louis in 2022 partnering with local dentists to offer on-the-job training programs for suitable candidates interested in becoming dental assistants. Programs provide classroom and 100-200 clinical hours.
Locations: Check website for local partners
Accredited: No
Format: Blended
Duration: Varies, 6-18 weeks
Tuition: $899-$1,999
Enrollment Seasons: Ongoing open enrollment
14. JW Dental Assisting Academy
This small St. Louis career college offers an accelerated 4.5-month dental assisting diploma program with flexible day and evening schedules. JW emphasizes hands-on learning with 250+ clinical hours across specializations and assistance with job placement.
Location: 9933 Watson Rd Suite 115, St. Louis, MO 63126
Accredited: No
Format: On-campus
Duration: 4.5 months
Tuition: $3,750
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma/GED
Enrollment Seasons: Set start dates
15. CityPointe Dental Assistant Academy
This innovative academy launched in 2022 by a Hazelwood dentist offers affordable onsite training for dental assistants across 500 hours of blended coursework and clinical experience working alongside dentists and staff.
Location: 6160 N Lindbergh Blvd Suite 200, Hazelwood, MO 63042
Accredited: No
Format: On-campus
Duration: 4 months
Tuition: $3,995
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma or GED
Enrollment Seasons: Set cohorts, year-round
16. Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing
In addition to nursing programs, Goldfarb offers a dental assisting career training track. The accelerated 16-week program includes 320 hours total with 80 hours of clinical experience across specialties at faculty-supervised clinics.
Location: 4483 Duncan Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
Accredited: Yes
Format: On-campus
Duration: 4 months
Tuition: $4,800
Admissions Requirements: High school diploma/GED, admissions exam
Enrollment Seasons: Varies, typically spring and fall
17. South Technical High School – Adult Education Program
This specialty public school offers a part-time dental assisting program through the Adult Education division with flexible evening and weekend options at an affordable cost. Supervised clinical practice is arranged onsite.
Location: 12721 West Watson Rd, Sunset Hills, MO 63127
Accredited: No
Format: On-campus
Duration: 9 months.
Tuition: $3,795
Enrollment Seasons: Varies; typically fall and spring starts
18. EduMed Partners
Several EduMed-affiliated dental clinics in the St. Louis metro area now offer onsite education programs for training dental assistants. These non-accredited programs provide blended coursework and hands-on clinical practice across specialties.
Locations: Various; Riverview, Ballwin, St. Peters, Florissant, St. Charles
Accredited: No
Format: On-campus clinical
Duration: 10-20 weeks
Tuition: $3,500-$5,000 range
Enrollment Seasons: Set start dates year-round
19. St. Louis Dental Assisting School
Launched in late 2022, St. Louis Dental Assisting School offers an intensive 3.5-month program with daytime and evening options for gaining entry-level dental assisting skills. At least 70 hours of experience is arranged at local dental offices.
Location: 11858 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63126
Accredited: No
Format: On-campus
Duration: 3.5 months
Tuition: $3,995
Enrollment Seasons: Set start dates, rolling admissions
20. Central County Dental Assisting Academy
Based in St. Peters, this specialized career college owned by a local dentistry practice offers a hands-on 4-month program for gaining dental assisting skills. Students get experience through 100+ clinical hours on-site and externships.
Location: 370 Mid Rivers Center Suite 200, St. Peters, MO 63376
Accredited: No
Format: On-campus blended
Duration: 4 months
Tuition: $3,750
Enrollment Seasons: Rolling start dates
Key Considerations in Choosing a Dental Assistant Program
With the wide variety of quality dental assistant programs available in St. Louis, prospective students should evaluate a few key factors when selecting a school such as cost, accreditation status, program duration and structure, admissions requirements, location and learning facilities.
Consider programs offering robust clinical experience with at least 100+ hours working in professional dental clinic settings, as this on-the-job training proves invaluable. Compare program costs and financial aid options if needed. Accredited programs can provide a mark of quality, however non-accredited schools may also offer excellent training.
Ultimately selecting the right dental assistant program depends on your budget, location preferences, ideal schedule and hands-on training opportunities. By evaluating St. Louis‘ top options based on these aspects, you can find the perfect fit to prepare for a rewarding career supporting dentists.
