Dental assistant training ยท Sacramento, CA

Dental Assistant Schools in Sacramento, CA

Dental assistant schools in Sacramento include two local schools on the Dental Board of California's approved RDA list. You can study at Sacramento City College or Carrington College, then complete the separate application and examination steps for an RDA license.

Compare programs How to pay for training
Local RDA schoolsTwo Sacramento entries on the Dental Board's approved-program list.
Public program calendarSacramento City College: one-year, full-time day program; August entry.
License examinationRDA Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination, administered by PSI.
Regional wageBLS median: $28.16/hour for dental assistants, Sacramento metro, May 2025.

Dental assisting programs with local RDA approval

Two Sacramento schools appear on the Dental Board's current RDA program list, with SCC's certificate and degree shown separately. The check line beneath each school links to the Board list so you can match the provider before arranging a visit.

3 local programs listed

SchoolProgramCredentialLengthScheduleCost
Sacramento City CollegeSacramento, CADental Board of California approved RDA program
Dental Board approval CA532, list checked October 27, 2026. Complete DAST 100 with C or better before entry; applications run January 1-April 1. Degree requires additional general education.
School page 		Dental Assisting CertificateCertificate of AchievementOne-year program; 34.5 unitsFull-time days; students enter in August each year$46 per unit for California residents, Fall 2026-Summer 2027 fee schedule; catalog lists approximately $2,000 for uniforms and special supplies, beyond normal student expenses
Sacramento City CollegeSacramento, CADental Board of California approved RDA program
Dental Board approval CA532, checked October 27, 2026. The degree requires dental assisting coursework plus college graduation requirements; DAST 100 is required before August entry.
School page 		A.S. in Dental AssistingAssociate in ScienceOne-year dental assisting sequence; 34.5 major units plus degree graduation requirementsFull-time days; students enter in August each year$46 per unit for California residents, Fall 2026-Summer 2027 fee schedule; catalog lists approximately $2,000 for uniforms and special supplies, beyond normal student expenses
Carrington CollegeSacramento, CADental Board of California approved RDA program
Dental Board listing CA436 checked October 27, 2026. The current catalog names Sacramento among campuses offering the certificate to new students and identifies its blended format.
School page 		Dental AssistingCertificate of Achievement36 weeks, not including breaks (2026 catalog)Hybrid (blended); online lectures, on-campus labs and a 180-hour externship$24,738 program total, 2026 catalog California schedule; screening charges may be extra

Sacramento campuses first, then nearby cities. Details come from each school's website; costs and start dates change, so confirm with the school.

Dental assistant schools near Sacramento: campus details

Sacramento City College Sacramento, CA

SCC's dental assisting curriculum includes dental radiology, chairside skills and clinical experience, with certificate and associate degree options.

Dental Board of California approved RDA program
Program
Dental Assisting Certificate
Credential
Certificate of Achievement
Length
One-year program; 34.5 units
Schedule
Full-time days; students enter in August each year
Published cost
$46 per unit for California residents, Fall 2026-Summer 2027 fee schedule; catalog lists approximately $2,000 for uniforms and special supplies, beyond normal student expenses
Address
3835 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95822
Phone
(916) 558-2256
Program page

Sacramento City College Sacramento, CA

The dental assisting associate degree at SCC combines the clinical training sequence with the college requirements for an associate degree.

Dental Board of California approved RDA program
Program
A.S. in Dental Assisting
Credential
Associate in Science
Length
One-year dental assisting sequence; 34.5 major units plus degree graduation requirements
Schedule
Full-time days; students enter in August each year
Published cost
$46 per unit for California residents, Fall 2026-Summer 2027 fee schedule; catalog lists approximately $2,000 for uniforms and special supplies, beyond normal student expenses
Address
3835 Freeport Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95822
Phone
(916) 558-2256
Program page

Carrington College Sacramento, CA

Carrington teaches dental assisting through lab practice and clinical experience, covering patient preparation, dental procedures and office responsibilities.

Dental Board of California approved RDA program
Program
Dental Assisting
Credential
Certificate of Achievement
Length
36 weeks, not including breaks (2026 catalog)
Schedule
Hybrid (blended); online lectures, on-campus labs and a 180-hour externship
Published cost
$24,738 program total, 2026 catalog California schedule; screening charges may be extra
Address
8909 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95826
Phone
(916) 585-7770
Program page

From dental assisting classes to an RDA license

  1. 1

    Match the approved provider

    Check the Dental Board's RDA program list for the school and city. The Board's education page says course approval can change and advises you to verify current information with the provider.

  2. 2

    Prepare for program admission

    For Sacramento City College, finish DAST 100 with a grade of C or better before the August start. Accepted students must provide health records, professional-level CPR and screening clearances.

  3. 3

    Keep your course certificates

    The Board-approved education pathway includes radiation safety, coronal polishing, pit and fissure sealants, infection control, the California Dental Practice Act and basic life support. Keep the completion documents for your application.

  4. 4

    Apply and complete fingerprinting

    Submit your RDA examination and licensure application with required documents and the $120 application fee. Follow the Dental Board's fingerprint instructions after your application is processed.

  5. 5

    Pass the required examination

    After the Board authorizes you to test, schedule the RDA Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination through PSI. The Board issues the license after you meet the application, examination and fingerprint-clearance requirements.

Dental assistant employment and pay around Sacramento

For dental assistants (SOC 31-9091), BLS May 2025 metro estimates show 3,100 jobs in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA area. Median pay was $28.16 hourly and $58,580 annually. May 2025 is the most recent release listed on the OEWS tables page.

The estimate covers dental assistants across the region and does not separate new graduates from experienced staff. BLS explains that median pay divides workers into two equal wage groups. Employment totals count jobs held, rather than vacancies. Compare these regional figures with the program's full price, and ask dental practices about starting rates, scheduled hours and the duties their positions require.

Dental assisting tuition and help paying

SCC's 2026-27 fee schedule lists resident enrollment at $46 per unit. Its dental assisting catalog also lists approximately $2,000 for uniforms and special supplies, beyond normal student expenses. Carrington's 2026 catalog lists $24,738 in California program charges for the dental assisting certificate, with possible screening costs extra. Request a written bill covering every required item.

Start a FAFSA or California Dream Act application through SCC to check aid eligibility. The college lists Pell and other grants, subject to program and student eligibility. For WIOA assistance, meet with a Sacramento Works Job Center coach before selecting an eligible training program. Veterans and qualifying family members can review GI Bill support for non-degree programs; verify the exact program first. If you work in a dental office, ask about employer tuition support and request written terms.

Read the full guide to paying for training

Questions for a dental assisting school

  • Is this exact campus currently on the Dental Board's RDA program list?
  • Does my course include every certificate needed for the Board-approved RDA pathway?
  • Where will I complete dental radiography practice and clinical placements?
  • What is the next start, and are all labs and clinicals held during the day?
  • What is the written total for tuition, supplies, screening, CPR and testing?
  • Will I qualify for the RDA exam, the national CDA exam, or both?
  • Which grants, GI Bill benefits or workforce funds can cover this course?

How to check a school

Common questions

How long does dental assistant school take in Sacramento?

Sacramento City College describes its program as one year, with full-time daytime study and an August start. Carrington's 2026 catalog lists 36 weeks for the Sacramento blended certificate, excluding breaks. Ask each school for its next available cohort and full clinical calendar. SCC also requires DAST 100 before entry, so include that prerequisite when planning your start.

Does graduating automatically give me an RDA license?

You must complete the separate licensing process. Under the Dental Board's instructions, applicants document an eligible pathway and required courses, apply, provide fingerprints and pass the Combined Written and Law and Ethics Examination. School completion is one part of the education route. Check that you have every required certificate before sending your application.

What should I check about dental radiography training?

Ask which Board-approved radiation safety course you will complete and which certificate you will receive. The Dental Board's permitted-duties table allows dental radiography only when the assistant meets the cited training requirements, with the specified supervision. The approved-course page links to radiation safety providers. A general dental assisting course description alone does not confirm your eligibility for every task.

Is RDAEF the same credential as RDA?

RDAEF means Registered Dental Assistant in Extended Functions and requires an additional California license. The Dental Board's RDAEF instructions require an active RDA license, Board-approved extended-functions education, required course documentation and the RDAEF written examination, among other application steps. The entry-level programs in this table are RDA routes. Ask about further training only after checking the separate RDAEF requirements.

Other programs near Sacramento

HVACElectricianWeldingMedical AssistantCNALVNPhlebotomySurgical TechCDLCosmetologyBarberEstheticianNail TechFree CNA TrainingPaid CDL Training
Sources (20)

We check these pages when we update this guide. If something has changed, tell us.

Compare the two Sacramento RDA routes

Request each school's admission checklist, clinical calendar and full price so you can choose a workable start.

Compare programs
Compare programs