Choosing the right online dental assistant program is essential for building the skills needed to enter the field confidently. In the NYC area, several schools offer unique hybrid or fully online learning styles with varying schedules and career goals. From fully online programs to hybrid models with in-person labs, each program provides specialized training to meet industry requirements and prepare students for certification exams.
Below is a comparison of these programs, outlining how they differ in structure, duration, cost, and more, to help you find the best fit for your needs.
- Lehman College provides a hybrid format with an 80-hour online course supplemented by a 40-hour externship. It features live evening classes combined with in-person labs for hands-on experience.
- Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) offers a fully online, self-paced program with 300 hours of coursework completed within 12 months. Optional externship placement is available, focusing on flexibility for independent learners.
- Medical Training Institute of New York integrates hybrid learning, combining online coursework with in-person clinical labs. With 700 training hours, including clinical rotations, it caters to students seeking extensive hands-on practice. Flexible scheduling options include morning, evening, and weekend classes.
- Queensborough Community College runs a short, 60-hour hybrid course over five weeks, balancing in-person sessions with online learning. While it does not include internship hours, it emphasizes foundational skills for entry-level positions.
- Quality Dental School of Technology offers a fully online program emphasizing theoretical knowledge and practical skills through virtual simulations. The program includes interactive learning and a customized curriculum, with tuition significantly higher than other options.
- Hudson Valley Community College provides a one-year, primarily online program with flexible semester-based schedules. It meets New York State licensure requirements and prepares students for national certification exams, making it ideal for those looking for comprehensive training in an extended timeframe.
These programs cater to different schedules, budgets, and learning preferences, allowing students to choose one that best aligns with their career goals. Explore each program further to determine the best fit for your needs.
Online Dental Assistant Classes
Lehman College
Lehman College’s Dental Assistant program provides an 80-hour online training course paired with a 40-hour externship. The virtual classroom format includes live instruction via evening classes twice weekly, with select in-person lab sessions at CUNY on the Concourse. This hybrid structure allows students to complete coursework in areas like oral anatomy, infection control, and chairside assisting from home while attending hands-on labs for practical skills.
The program covers essential topics such as dental operatory procedures, radiology, legal aspects of dentistry, and administrative tasks. Participants must achieve a grade of C or better to earn a certificate of completion and qualify to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) Radiology Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE) exams. The program concludes with an externship at a local dental practice, providing real-world experience to prepare students for entry-level dental assistant roles.
| Category | Description |
| Cost | $1,499 |
| Duration | 80 hours (14 weeks) + 40-hour externship |
| Schedules | Evening Classes: Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM |
| Location | 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, Bronx, NY 10468 |
| Phone | 718-960-8000 |
| More Info | Lehman College Dental Assistant Program |
Borough of Manhattan Community College
The online Clinical Dental Assistant Training program at BMCC offers 100% virtual learning combined with optional clinical experience. The program includes 300 hours of coursework, which must be completed within 12 months, and is self-paced to accommodate individual schedules. The curriculum covers dental anatomy, infection control, radiology, anesthesia, and administrative tasks using tools like Dentrix Practice Management software.
Students receive training in chairside assisting, patient care, dental instrument handling, and essential safety procedures. The program also prepares participants to take portions of the Dental Assisting National Board exams, including Anatomy, Morphology, and Physiology (AMP), Infection Control (ICE), and Radiation Health and Safety (RHS). Upon successful completion, students can apply for an externship through the course, although placement is not guaranteed.
| Category | Description |
| Cost | $2,995 |
| Duration | 12 months (self-paced) |
| Schedules | Online, self-paced |
| Location | 199 Chambers St, New York, NY 10007 |
| Phone | (212) 220-8000 |
| More Info | BMCC Clinical Dental Assistant Training |
Medical Training Institute of New York
The Medical Training Institute of New York’s Dental Assistant Program offers a hybrid learning experience combining online and in-person components. Online coursework covers essential topics such as dental terminology, preventive dentistry, infection control, radiology, and business administration. Students engage in virtual learning sessions, supported by in-person clinical labs at designated locations.
The program spans 28 to 44 weeks, depending on the schedule selected—morning, evening, or weekend classes. Students complete 700 hours of training, including clinical rotations. Key responsibilities taught include sterilizing instruments, assisting dentists during procedures, patient record management, and scheduling. Graduates are prepared for entry-level dental assistant roles and certification exams like the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control Exam (ICE). Total program cost is $5,277, which includes tuition, fees, and materials.
| Category | Description |
| Cost | $5,277 |
| Duration | 28-44 weeks |
| Schedules | Morning, Evening, and Weekend options available |
| Location | 211 E 43rd St, 2nd Fl, New York, NY 10017 |
| Phone | 212-204-8577 |
| More Info | Medical Training Institute of New York |
Queensborough Community College
The Dental Assistant program at Queensborough Community College is a 60-hour hybrid course designed for entry-level training. The program combines in-person and online classes to provide students with foundational knowledge in administrative and clinical dental assisting. Students attend on-campus sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with additional online instruction via Zoom on Thursdays.
The curriculum includes topics such as the history of dentistry, oral anatomy, legal aspects of the dental field, and procedures for dental operatory and tooth structure. Classes emphasize hands-on training through on-campus labs, while digital materials are provided for online learning. Prerequisites include a high school diploma or GED. While clinical internship hours are not included, students receive a certificate of completion and are eligible for national certification opportunities.
| Category | Description |
| Cost | $1,600 |
| Duration | 5 weeks |
| Schedules | Tues/Wed in-person, Thurs via Zoom (6–10 PM) |
| Location | 222-05 56th Ave, Bayside, NY 11364 |
| Phone | (718) 631-6343 |
| More Info | QCC Dental Assistant Program |
Quality Dental School of Technology
The Dental Assistant program at the Quality Dental School of Technology is offered online with a focus on both theoretical and practical components of dental assisting. Online coursework includes anatomy, tooth morphology, infection control, patient assessments, and the foundation of clinical dentistry. Interactive elements, such as peer discussions and instructor guidance, are integrated to support student engagement and comprehension.
Students develop essential skills such as sterilization, chairside assistance, and patient care through virtual simulations and detailed course materials. Online students collaborate with the school to create a customized curriculum, allowing flexibility in learning. The program includes assessments that test practical application over rote memorization, emphasizing the development of observable skills and critical thinking. Total tuition for the program is $24,953, and students are eligible to sit for the National Board exam upon completion.
| Category | Description |
| Cost | $24,953 |
| Duration | Not specified |
| Schedules | Online classes, customized curriculum |
| Location | 134 Evergreen Place, Suite – 601, East Orange, NJ 07017 |
| Phone | 973-414-8618 |
| More Info | qualitydentalschool.com |
Hudson Valley Community College
The Hudson Valley Community College Dental Assisting Certificate program is a one-year, primarily online program designed to train students for entry-level positions in dental offices. This program includes coursework in sterilization techniques, setting up dental materials, and performing office tasks, meeting New York State’s requirements for licensure as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).
Classes are offered online with flexible, semester-based schedules, allowing students to complete coursework at their convenience. Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion and are eligible to take the New York State Professional Dental Assisting (NYPDA) Exam, along with the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE) exams through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). Successful candidates can apply for state licensure.
| Category | Description |
| Cost | Not specified |
| Duration | 1 year |
| Schedules | Semester-based, flexible online schedule |
| Location | 80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180 |
| Phone | 800-342-3811 |
| More Info | Hudson Valley Community College |