Dental assistant school programs typically range in length depending on the type of program you choose:
- Certificate and diploma programs usually take about 9 to 12 months, with some accelerated options lasting as little as 6 to 9 months. These focus mainly on practical training specific to dental assisting duties.
- Associate degree programs take longer, typically around 18 to 24 months (1.5 to 2 years). These include both dental-specific courses and general education classes for a more in-depth education.
- Some online or trade school programs can be completed in as little as 3 to 12 months, often with flexible, self-paced schedules.
Most dental assistant training programs fall within a range of 9 months to 2 years depending on the program type—certificate programs being the shortest and associate degrees the longest. The total time also depends on whether you choose full-time or part-time study and program intensity. In short, dental assistant school is commonly about 9 to 12 months for certificate programs and up to 2 years for associate degrees.
