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Dental assistant programs in Iowa

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

11 schools offer these dental assisting programs, and Iowa has approved every one 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 Iowa, 2 of the 11 programs take students without a high school diploma, 8 ask for a 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

How much do dental assistant programs cost in Iowa?

$7,882 to $12,076 is what most dental assistant programs in Iowa cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 11 programs with a price. All of them: $4,000 to $16,215

In the typical program

Finished the program
67%
Working 6 months later
88%
Earned a year, estimated
about $27,700
Length
34 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 Iowa may also offer dental assistant programs. How these figures are made

Are there free dental assistant programs in Iowa?

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

All 11 dental assistant programs in Iowa approved for WIOA funding

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11 programs

  • Dental assistantOnlineHigh school diploma or equivalent

    DA-3000: Dental Assistant

    MedCerts

    Based in Livonia, MI

    High school diploma or equivalent

    MedCerts, based in Livonia, MIDental assistantOnline · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,000
    Program website, DA-3000: Dental Assistant at MedCerts
    More details about DA-3000: Dental Assistant at MedCerts
    Finished
    94%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    14 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    559
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,000
    Program website, DA-3000: Dental Assistant at MedCerts

  • Dental assistant (associate degree)In personNo diploma needed

    Dental Assisting

    Kirkwood Community College

    Cedar Rapids

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Kirkwood Community College, Cedar RapidsDental assistant (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$28,100
    Price if you pay yourself$13,545
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Kirkwood Community College
    More details about Dental Assisting at Kirkwood Community College
    Finished
    35%
    Working at 6 months
    89%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,023
    Length
    64 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $4,805
    Students counted
    467
    Earned a year, estimated
    $28,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $13,545
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Kirkwood Community College

  • Dental assistantIn personEducation and courses

    Dental Assistant Diploma

    Des Moines Area Community College

    Ankeny

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Des Moines Area Community College, AnkenyDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$31,300
    Price if you pay yourself$8,695
    Program website, Dental Assistant Diploma at Des Moines Area Community College
    More details about Dental Assistant Diploma at Des Moines Area Community College
    Finished
    47%
    Working at 6 months
    93%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,831
    Length
    42 weeks, 25 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,695
    Students counted
    225
    Earned a year, estimated
    $31,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,695
    Program website, Dental Assistant Diploma at Des Moines Area Community College

  • Dental assistantHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    Western Iowa Tech Community College

    Sioux City

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Western Iowa Tech Community College, Sioux CityDental assistant · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$36,400
    Price if you pay yourself$7,070
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Western Iowa Tech Community College
    More details about Dental Assisting at Western Iowa Tech Community College
    Finished
    60%
    Working at 6 months
    88%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,089
    Length
    32 weeks, 29 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,919
    Students counted
    193
    Earned a year, estimated
    $36,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $7,070
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Western Iowa Tech Community College

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    Midwest Technical Institute

    Moline, IL

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Midwest Technical Institute, Moline, ILDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Classes are outside Iowa; Iowa approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimated$21,600
    Price if you pay yourself$16,215
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Midwest Technical Institute
    More details about Dental Assisting at Midwest Technical Institute
    Finished
    78%
    Working at 6 months
    82%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,395
    Length
    35 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $485
    Students counted
    185
    Earned a year, estimated
    $21,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $16,215
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Midwest Technical Institute

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting

    Indian Hills Community College

    Ottumwa

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Indian Hills Community College, OttumwaDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$16,800
    Price if you pay yourself$15,204
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Indian Hills Community College
    More details about Dental Assisting at Indian Hills Community College
    Finished
    90%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,191
    Length
    48 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    163
    Earned a year, estimated
    $16,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $15,204
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Indian Hills Community College

  • Dental assistantIn personNo diploma needed

    Dental Assisting

    Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

    Davenport

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, DavenportDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$27,200
    Price if you pay yourself$8,970
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
    More details about Dental Assisting at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
    Finished
    63%
    Working at 6 months
    87%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,806
    Length
    48 weeks, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $3,584
    Students counted
    121
    Earned a year, estimated
    $27,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $8,970
    Program website, Dental Assisting at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting *DENTAL.DP

    Northeast Iowa Community College

    Calmar

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northeast Iowa Community College, CalmarDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$29,500
    Price if you pay yourself$9,457
    Program website, Dental Assisting *DENTAL.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College
    More details about Dental Assisting *DENTAL.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College
    Finished
    89%
    Working at 6 months
    94%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,375
    Length
    44 weeks, 28 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,209
    Students counted
    110
    Earned a year, estimated
    $29,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,457
    Program website, Dental Assisting *DENTAL.DP at Northeast Iowa Community College

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant - Diploma

    Iowa Western Community College

    Council Bluffs

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Iowa Western Community College, Council BluffsDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$23,600
    Price if you pay yourself$9,492
    Program website, Dental Assistant - Diploma at Iowa Western Community College
    More details about Dental Assistant - Diploma at Iowa Western Community College
    Finished
    45%
    Working at 6 months
    65%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,909
    Length
    40 weeks, 27 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $2,114
    Students counted
    62
    Earned a year, estimated
    $23,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,492
    Program website, Dental Assistant - Diploma at Iowa Western Community College

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting (MVDNT) CIP: 510601.0100 ITSO: 03.02.11.03

    Iowa Valley Community College District

    Marshalltown

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Iowa Valley Community College District, MarshalltownDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$34,200
    Price if you pay yourself$10,608
    Program website, Dental Assisting (MVDNT) CIP: 510601.0100 ITSO: 03.02.11.03 at Iowa Valley Community College District
    More details about Dental Assisting (MVDNT) CIP: 510601.0100 ITSO: 03.02.11.03 at Iowa Valley Community College District
    Finished
    67%
    Working at 6 months
    72%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,554
    Length
    48 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $840
    Students counted
    40
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,608
    Program website, Dental Assisting (MVDNT) CIP: 510601.0100 ITSO: 03.02.11.03 at Iowa Valley Community College District

  • Dental assistantIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assistant

    Dental Assisting Technologies

    Moline, IL

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Dental Assisting Technologies, Moline, ILDental assistantIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Classes are outside Iowa; Iowa approved the program for its funding.

    Earned a year, estimated$21,700
    Price if you pay yourself$4,000
    Program website, Dental Assistant at Dental Assisting Technologies
    More details about Dental Assistant at Dental Assisting Technologies
    Finished
    100%
    Working at 6 months
    91%
    Earned in a quarter
    $5,415
    Length
    12 weeks, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    32
    Earned a year, estimated
    $21,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,000
    Program website, Dental Assistant at Dental Assisting Technologies

How to pay for dental assistant programs in Iowa

WIOA funding can pay for dental assistant programs in Iowa

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.

Quick facts: Dental assistant programs in Iowa

programs with a price cost under $10,000
7 of 11
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
29th of 32
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
11 of 22
dental assistant programs here, against the typical state's 12
11 vs 12

State comparisons use the same figures as the dental assistant programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Dental assistant programs in Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and other Iowa cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 more program is in 1 other area, 1 in smaller cities and towns and 1 online.

Other training in Iowa

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

Where the Iowa dental assisting program numbers come from

Which Iowa dental assisting programs are on this list?

These are the dental assisting programs Iowa 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. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Iowa offers.

How the prices and results of Iowa 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 Iowa

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