Dental care
Dental assistant
Prepare patients and instruments, support dentists during procedures and help the dental office run smoothly.
BLS · May 2025
EDUCATION & ENTRY
Certificate, diploma or employer training
Training may include a certificate or diploma and practical experience. Ask which Oregon certificates or additional training apply to radiography and expanded duties. Requirements vary with the work performed.
The state’s typical entry education classification is “Postsecondary training (non-degree).” This describes the occupation broadly; employers, programs and licensing bodies set specific requirements.
CONNECT THE CAREER TO A PLACE TO LEARN
Oregon training options
These are related routes to investigate. Confirm the full preparation, current admissions and eligibility for your intended role with the provider.
Chemeketa Community College
Dental Assisting
Learn to support dental teams and patient care.
Ask: What are the current clinical requirements, schedule and certification steps?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Concorde Career College
Dental Assisting
Study dental assisting with practical labs and an externship.
Ask: Which dental assisting functions and certificates does this route prepare me for?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Central Oregon Community College
Dental Assisting
Combines chairside, radiography, expanded-functions and administrative preparation. Required preparation includes health-science mathematics, writing or business communication, and first aid/BLS.
Ask: Which preparation, timetable and complete budget apply to my Dental Assisting plan?
Program page reviewed September 16, 2026
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Dental Assisting
Combines lab work with a local dental internship. Before the winter internship, students need BLS, required immunizations, a background check and drug screening.
Ask: Which preparation, timetable and complete budget apply to my Dental Assisting plan?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Umpqua Community College
Dental Assisting
The program combines a dental laboratory with a 300-hour local dental-office internship. A required orientation seminar explains entry paperwork and program expectations.
Ask: Which preparation, timetable and complete budget apply to my Dental Assisting plan?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Take this question to a counselor.
Which duties would I be qualified to perform when I finish?
Before choosing a program, ask for prerequisites, the complete timeline, class and placement schedules, and a full cost estimate including supplies, exams, travel and living expenses.
Build a working cost estimate →Understand the numbers.
The median is the midpoint of estimated wages for Oregon workers in this occupation. The hourly median is $28.60. These figures describe workers across experience levels; they are not starting pay or the earnings of graduates from the programs below.
Oregon projects employment moving from 5,525 jobs in 2024 to 6,167 in 2034. The projected 8,134 openings over the decade include growth and replacement needs as workers leave an occupation. Dividing that total by ten gives the rounded annual average shown above. These are projections, not today’s vacancies.
How to read wage information →