5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Dental Assisting School

Choosing a dental assisting school is a big step. With options ranging from community colleges to proprietary programs licensed through the community college system, it can feel overwhelming. The best way to cut through the noise is to ask the right questions before you commit.

Here are five key questions that will help you compare programs and choose the best path for your future:

1. What’s included in the tuition?

Many schools advertise a “low” base price, but the fine print tells a different story. Books, lab fees, uniforms, supplies, or even essential certifications may cost extra — adding quite a bit to the final bill. And beyond dollars, you should also ask what kind of hands-on clinical practice you’re actually getting for that tuition. Some schools only let students observe suctioning, impressions, sterilization, or coronal polishing — meaning you graduate having watched, but not practiced.

At TSDA: Tuition is all-inclusive. The $3,600 total covers everything: books, lab materials, and certifications (DA I, Radiology, CPR, HIPAA, and Nitrous Oxide Monitoring). And every student performs the core clinical tasks repeatedly, not just once — so you graduate confident and job-ready.

2. Where will I actually train?

Some programs hold classes in rented dental offices, which often means limited equipment, after-hours schedules, and little control over the learning environment.

At TSDA: Students train in our own dedicated facility with modern equipment designed specifically for dental assisting education. The space is yours to learn in — not squeezed in between a dentist’s patient schedule.

3. Who will be teaching me?

Your instructor can make or break your experience. In some schools, you may never know who’s teaching until the first day, and large programs often rotate instructors. That can lead to inconsistency and less personal support.

At TSDA: Every student learns directly from Wendy, our founder and lead instructor, who has over 20 years of experience in the field. She knows every student by name and invests personally in their success.

4. How long will it take to finish?

Program length is one of the biggest differences between schools. Some community college programs take 9–12 months or longer, while other programs advertise very short timelines that may leave students without enough hands-on training.

At TSDA: Our program is 15 weeks — designed as the sweet spot. It’s long enough to give you real skills and confidence, but short enough to launch your career quickly without dragging on for months.

5. What kind of career support is available?

Graduating is just the start — you also want help navigating the job market. Not all schools offer career guidance, and some leave students to figure it out on their own.

At TSDA: We provide resume help and interview prep, and because Wendy knows both her students and the dental community so well, she often helps connect practices with graduates who will be a good fit. With strong relationships across Raleigh and the Triangle, she can point students in the right direction — but ultimately, it’s up to each graduate to present themselves professionally and confidently to secure the job.

The Bottom Line

Asking the right questions can save you time, money, and frustration. Whether you’re comparing community colleges or proprietary programs, make sure you know what’s included, whether you’ll get hands-on experience, who’s teaching you, where you’ll learn, how long it will take, and what support you’ll get after graduation.

Want to see how TSDA stacks up? Check out our Compare Dental Assisting Schools page or explore our Graduate Success Stories to hear directly from students.