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Dental assistant programs in San Francisco, California

11 dental assistant programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

8 schools offer these dental assisting programs with classes in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area, and every one is approved for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Dental assistants care for patients, take x-rays, keep records and schedule appointments. Many programs take about a year and lead to a certificate or diploma, and some states require you to graduate from an accredited program and pass an exam.1

In San Francisco, 10 of the 11 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent and 1 asks for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 11 programs here are dental assistant (10 programs) and dental assistant (associate degree, 1 program).

See the 11 programs

All 69 dental assistant programs in California, including online programs

How much do dental assistant programs cost in San Francisco?

$2,077 to $5,000 is what most dental assistant programs in San Francisco cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 11 programs with a price. All of them: $690 to $10,710

In the typical program

Finished the program
93%
Working 6 months later
82%
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
4 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
18 to 48 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in San Francisco may also offer dental assistant programs. How these figures are made

Are there free dental assistant programs in San Francisco?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 11 dental assistant programs in San Francisco approved for WIOA funding

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11 programs

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant Certificate Program (DARHP)

    Jewish Vocational Service

    San Francisco

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Jewish Vocational Service, San FranciscoDental assistantHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$45,200
    Price if you pay yourself$5,000

    28 students trained with WIOA funding

    School website, Dental Assistant Certificate Program (DARHP) at Jewish Vocational Service
    More details about Dental Assistant Certificate Program (DARHP) at Jewish Vocational Service
    Finished
    89%
    Working at 6 months
    72%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,310
    Length
    10 weeks, 23 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    118
    Earned a year, estimated
    $45,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,000
    students trained with WIOA funding
    28
    School website, Dental Assistant Certificate Program (DARHP) at Jewish Vocational Service

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Foundations in Dental Assisting

    Eden Area Regional Occupational Program - Adult Programs

    Hayward

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Eden Area Regional Occupational Program - Adult Programs, HaywardDental assistantIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,700
    Program website, Foundations in Dental Assisting at Eden Area Regional Occupational Program - Adult Programs
    More details about Foundations in Dental Assisting at Eden Area Regional Occupational Program - Adult Programs
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    100%
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    20 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $135
    Students counted
    64
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,700
    Program website, Foundations in Dental Assisting at Eden Area Regional Occupational Program - Adult Programs

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant Certificate Program

    Jewish Vocational Service

    San Francisco

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Jewish Vocational Service, San FranciscoDental assistantHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$30,600
    Price if you pay yourself$5,000

    50 students trained with WIOA funding

    School website, Dental Assistant Certificate Program at Jewish Vocational Service
    More details about Dental Assistant Certificate Program at Jewish Vocational Service
    Finished
    93%
    Working at 6 months
    96%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,662
    Length
    10 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    54
    Earned a year, estimated
    $30,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,000
    students trained with WIOA funding
    50
    School website, Dental Assistant Certificate Program at Jewish Vocational Service

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    Contra Costa Medical Career College

    Antioch

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Contra Costa Medical Career College, AntiochDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$20,800
    Price if you pay yourself$10,710

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    More details about Dental Assisting at Contra Costa Medical Career College
    Finished
    85%
    Working at 6 months
    40%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,210
    Length
    43 weeks, 23 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $888
    Students counted
    46
    Earned a year, estimated
    $20,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,710
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant

    Mt. Diablo Adult Education

    Concord

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Mt. Diablo Adult Education, ConcordDental assistant · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$35,300
    Price if you pay yourself$5,754

    13 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Dental Assistant at Mt. Diablo Adult Education
    More details about Dental Assistant at Mt. Diablo Adult Education
    Finished
    28%
    Working at 6 months
    82%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,837
    Length
    40 weeks, 23 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,060
    Students counted
    38
    Earned a year, estimated
    $35,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,754
    students trained with WIOA funding
    13
    Program website, Dental Assistant at Mt. Diablo Adult Education

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    College of Alameda

    Alameda

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    College of Alameda, AlamedaDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$1,978
    Program website, Dental Assisting at College of Alameda
    More details about Dental Assisting at College of Alameda
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,770
    Students counted
    24
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $1,978
    Program website, Dental Assisting at College of Alameda

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    Eden Area Regional Occupational Program - Adult Programs

    Hayward

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Eden Area Regional Occupational Program - Adult Programs, HaywardDental assistantIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,750
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Eden Area Regional Occupational Program - Adult Programs
    More details about Dental Assisting at Eden Area Regional Occupational Program - Adult Programs
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    40 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $180
    Students counted
    15
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,750
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Eden Area Regional Occupational Program - Adult Programs

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Certificate of Achievement in Dental Assisting, Registered

    College of Marin

    Greenbrae

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    College of Marin, GreenbraeDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$690
    Program website, Certificate of Achievement in Dental Assisting, Registered at College of Marin
    More details about Certificate of Achievement in Dental Assisting, Registered at College of Marin
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $612
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $690
    Program website, Certificate of Achievement in Dental Assisting, Registered at College of Marin

  • Dental assistantIn personEducation and courses

    Dental Assisting Certificate of Achievement

    City College of San Francisco

    San Francisco

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    City College of San Francisco, San FranciscoDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$883
    More details about Dental Assisting Certificate of Achievement at City College of San Francisco
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    37 weeks, 28 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $540
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $883

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting Certificate fo Achievement

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,176
    Program website, Dental Assisting Certificate fo Achievement at Diablo Valley College
    More details about Dental Assisting Certificate fo Achievement at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    68 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,341
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,176
    Program website, Dental Assisting Certificate fo Achievement at Diablo Valley College

  • Dental assistant (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    DENTL: Associate in science degree Dental Assisting

    Diablo Valley College

    Pleasant Hill

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Diablo Valley College, Pleasant HillDental assistant (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$2,760
    Program website, DENTL: Associate in science degree Dental Assisting at Diablo Valley College
    More details about DENTL: Associate in science degree Dental Assisting at Diablo Valley College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,383
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,760
    Program website, DENTL: Associate in science degree Dental Assisting at Diablo Valley College

How to pay for dental assistant programs in San Francisco

WIOA funding can pay for dental assistant programs in San Francisco

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for dental assistant programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for dental assistant programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in San Francisco

How dental assistant programs compare with the rest of allied health across California: Allied health programs in California

Where the San Francisco dental assisting program numbers come from

Which San Francisco dental assisting programs are on this list?

These are the dental assisting programs with classes in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area that are approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the California page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How the prices and results of San Francisco dental assisting programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about dental assistant programs in San Francisco

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Assistants
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List