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Accelerated Dental Assistant Programs in San Diego

  • 6 min read

There are four accelerated dental assistant programs offered in San Diego that blend quick-paced learning with comprehensive training to jumpstart your career in dental assisting. Each program is offered in 11 weeks or less (excluding paid training for certification purposes), each with unique features to fit different schedules and career goals:

  • San Diego Dental Careers

    Integrates 11 weeks of classroom learning with 15 months of paid clinical practice, offering extensive hands-on training.

  • Professional Dental Enterprises

    Conducts a concise six-week course, focusing on core dental assisting skills through weekend classes.

  • Smile Crew CA Dental Assisting Bootcamp

    A four-week intensive program combining in-class and online instruction with practical on-the-job training.

  • California Dental Certifications

    Offers a rapid four-week course with hands-on experience every Saturday, designed to quickly prepare students for dental assisting certifications.

Explore each program’s detailed summaries below, which include information on program costs, duration, class schedules, locations, certifications offered, and contact details. This will help you make an informed decision about which program suits your professional aspirations in the dental field.

Browse Schools:

1. San Diego Dental Careers

San Diego Dental Careers offers an accelerated Dental Assistant program that efficiently combines classroom instruction with substantial on-the-job training. The program extends over 11 weeks of classroom education, scheduled on weekends, complemented by 15 months of paid clinical practice. This unique format integrates immediate practical experience with theoretical learning directly in a professional setting.

Classes are held in-person at Hust Dental Care, a fully operational dental practice, providing an immersive learning environment. Each session is designed to be intensive, with school hours covering full days from Monday through Thursday and a half-day on Fridays, maximizing learning in a condensed timeframe. This setup supports a rapid transition from classroom to real-world application, emphasizing hands-on skills essential for dental assisting.

The course fee includes all necessary training for entry-level dental assisting positions, including certification in dental assisting, x-ray licensure, and CPR. The extensive on-the-job training component allows students to earn while they learn, applying skills in a practical environment, which semi-qualifies this as an accelerated program given the brief yet intensive classroom phase followed by extended paid training.

CategoryDescription
Cost$4,305
Program Duration11 weeks classroom training followed by 15 months of paid training
Class SchedulesMonday to Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Weekend classes available
Online Classes?No
Location4690 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117
Phone(858) 352-0077

2. Professional Dental Enterprises

Professional Dental Enterprises offers an accelerated Dental Assistant program that spans six weeks, providing intensive weekend classes. This format allows for a condensed period of learning where students quickly acquire necessary skills and certifications required for dental assisting. The program is structured to deliver a complete educational experience over successive Saturdays, focusing on core competencies like X-ray certification, coronal polishing, and infection control.

The course is priced competitively at $2,495, positioning itself as an affordable option for aspiring dental assistants. The school operates under certification from the Dental Board of CA, ensuring that all offered courses meet regulatory standards and effectively prepare students for the RDA exam. Classes are hosted at their facility in San Diego, offering a local learning hub for students in the area.

This rapid course layout is particularly suited for individuals seeking to transition into dental careers without the longer duration typically associated with such training. Students receive hands-on training in essential dental assisting functions, from patient care to technical support within the dental office, ensuring they are job-ready upon completion.

CategoryDescription
Cost$2,495
Program Duration6 weeks
Class SchedulesWeekend classes
Online Classes?No
Location3251 Adams Ave Ste A, San Diego, CA 92116
Phone(619) 584-6262

3. Smile Crew CA Dental Assisting Bootcamp

This accelerated Dental Assistant training program is hosted by the Smile Crew CA at the San Diego Workforce Partnership and spans a concise four-week period. It combines classroom-based learning and extensive online instruction designed to equip participants quickly for immediate dental assistant roles. Each week, students engage in 10-12 hours of in-class instruction supplemented by 20 hours of online learning, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of dental assisting fundamentals outside traditional semester lengths.

The program’s structure includes weekly on-the-job training sessions conducted in dental offices during non-working hours to enhance practical skills alongside theoretical learning. This setup provides a rapid yet thorough understanding of dental procedures, equipment handling, patient care, and office administrative tasks necessary for entry-level positions in the dental field.

Classes cover a wide array of subjects critical to dental assisting, such as infection control, dental anatomy, X-ray processing, and patient management. The training culminates in a certificate of completion, validating the intensive education and training received over the short duration. This accelerated format is specifically aimed at those seeking quick entry into the dental workforce, providing all necessary certifications and practical experience in just one month.

CategoryDescription
CostFree with eligibility requirements
Program Duration4 weeks
Class SchedulesIn-classroom: 10-12 hours/week, Online: 20 hours/week, Plus weekly on-the-job training
Online Classes?Yes
Location4389 Imperial Ave. San Diego, CA 92113
Phone(619) 319-9675

🔍 Top-Rated Dental Assistant Schools in San Diego

We’ve spotlighted the best dental assistant programs in San Diego—featuring hands-on training, flexible scheduling, and accelerated options. Whether you’re looking to start fast or need weekend classes, these schools offer trusted paths to a rewarding dental career.

4. California Dental Certifications

California Dental Certifications offers a Dental Assistant program conducted over a rapid four-week period, providing a focused, intensive learning environment. This accelerated approach allows students to quickly gain the necessary certifications for dental assisting, including X-Ray and CPR/AED certifications, among others. The course operates every Saturday, leveraging both classroom and practical training to complete the curriculum within this compressed timeframe.

The program emphasizes hands-on experience, facilitated by a schedule that combines direct instruction with real-world application in a dental setting. Students can earn up to ten different dental assisting certifications during the four-week period, effectively preparing them for immediate employment. This setup is particularly advantageous for those who are unemployed or underemployed, as the program is designed to quickly transition participants into the workforce.

Eligibility for free tuition is an option for candidates meeting specific criteria, such as economic need or military affiliation, enhancing accessibility to the training. The course also offers flexibility in scheduling, with sessions specifically tailored to accommodate participants who require alternative arrangements, ensuring that a wider range of students can benefit from this expedited educational opportunity.

CategoryDescription
CostFree if qualify; otherwise $2,500
Program Duration4 weeks
Class SchedulesEvery Saturday, full day
Online Classes?No
Location1059 First Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone(858) 722-8504

Find Your Program

Browse our directory of the best dental assistant schools in San Diego.