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Dental Assistant Night Classes in San Diego

  • 4 min read

The demand for dental assistants in San Diego is growing fast, and schools are stepping up by offering more flexible class schedules to meet students’ busy lives.

Many people juggling work, family, or other commitments can’t make it to traditional daytime classes — and local programs are taking note. That’s why several dental assisting schools now offer night classes, making it easier to get the training you need without having to put everything else on hold.

Keep in mind, there are plenty of other programs in the San Diego area that offer different schedule options too. From weekend classes to hybrid formats that mix online and in-person learning, schools are constantly updating their schedules to match what students need.

Below, we’ve featured dental assisting programs in San Diego that are known for offering evening classes. These programs cover the same material as daytime courses — just on a schedule that works better for night owls and busy adults.

Browse Schools:

1. San Diego Dental Careers

San Diego Dental Careers offers an evening Dental Assistant program designed to accommodate students who may not be available during traditional school hours. This evening course option occurs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, allowing participants to balance work or other daytime commitments with their educational advancement. The evening classes are structured to cover the same comprehensive curriculum as the day classes, ensuring all students receive equivalent training in dental assisting skills, from X-ray to CPR certification.

The program spans 11 weeks, with each evening session dedicated to both theoretical and practical dental training. In addition to the classroom education, students engage in 4 hours per week of on-the-job training during regular office hours, which is paid, providing real-world experience while still in the educational phase. This on-the-job component is crucial for applying learned skills in actual dental practice settings, reinforcing the classroom instruction with practical experience.

For those interested in pursuing a career in dental assisting, the program’s design ensures that students can quickly transition into the field. The detailed summaries that follow will provide more information on costs, durations, certifications offered, and other essential details to help prospective students understand the full scope and benefits of each program.

CategoryDescription
Cost$4,305
Program Duration11 weeks, followed by 15 months of paid training
Class SchedulesTuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Online Classes?No
Location4690 Genesee Ave, San Diego, CA 92117
Phone(858) 352-0077

2. San Diego Mesa College

San Diego Mesa College offers a one-year accelerated Dental Assisting program that combines online lectures with on-campus labs and clinical practice in a dental office. This format provides an efficient pathway to gaining comprehensive dental assisting skills in a condensed period. Lectures are offered partially online, allowing for flexible study times, while the hands-on labs and clinical practices are conducted in person, ensuring that students receive practical, applied training essential for their future roles.

The program includes some components that cater to students needing evening or late afternoon classes. The classes typically run from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. This schedule is designed to accommodate students who may have daytime commitments such as work or family responsibilities, providing them the flexibility to pursue their education in dental assisting without disrupting their daily routines.

This scheduling option is not a full evening program but offers sufficient late-day timing to help those who are unable to attend morning or full-day sessions. It is part of the program’s effort to make dental assistant training more accessible to a broader range of students. The partial online component of the lectures also supports this flexibility, allowing students to manage theoretical learning asynchronously when it suits them best.

The program prepares students for both state and national certification exams by offering essential courses on Basic Life Support, Infection Control, Radiography, and more, within the accelerated time frame. This structured approach aims to quickly equip students with the necessary skills and certifications required to enter the dental assisting profession promptly. The use of modern dental equipment and technologies in their training ensures that students are well-prepared to meet the demands of the dental care industry immediately after graduation.

CategoryDescription
CostCertificate: $1,702
Associate Degree: $2,760
Program Duration1 year
Class SchedulesSome evening/late afternoon classes from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Online Classes?Yes, partially online classes available
Location7250 Mesa College Drive, San Diego, CA 92111
Phone(619) 388-5884

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