Dental assistant programs in Massachusetts

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

10 schools offer these dental assisting programs, and Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts, all 14 programs take students without a high school diploma.

All 14 are the same kind of program: dental assistant.

See the 14 programs

How much do dental assistant programs cost in Massachusetts?

$3,850 to $6,005 is what most dental assistant programs in Massachusetts cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 14 programs with a price. All of them: $1,500 to $19,535

In the typical program

Finished the program: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated: Not enough data; 3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length: 24 to 38 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 Massachusetts may also offer dental assistant programs. How these figures are made

Are there free dental assistant programs in Massachusetts?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴In program year 2024 it paid toward the training of at least 24 people at 3 of the 14 programs here.
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. Most dental assisting programs in Massachusetts cost $3,850 to $6,005. Prices on this page run from $1,500 to $19,535.

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

All 14 dental assistant programs in Massachusetts approved for WIOA funding

14 programs

Dental assistantOnlineNo diploma needed
Dental Assistant
Bci Inc.
Based in Brookline, MA
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Bci Inc., based in Brookline, MADental assistant · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$47,800
Price if you pay yourself$6,005
18 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Dental Assistant at Bci Inc.
More details about Dental Assistant at Bci Inc.
Finished
54%
Working at 6 months
50%
Earned in a quarter
$11,944
Length
28 weeks, 34 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$995
Students counted
40
Earned a year, estimated
$47,800
Price if you pay yourself
$6,005
students trained with WIOA funding
18
Program website, Dental Assistant at Bci Inc.
Dental assistantOnlineNo diploma needed
Dental Assistant
Bci Inc.
Based in Brookline, MA
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Bci Inc., based in Brookline, MADental assistant · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$34,800
Price if you pay yourself$6,005
3 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Dental Assistant at Bci Inc.
More details about Dental Assistant at Bci Inc.
Finished
91%
Working at 6 months
25%
Earned in a quarter
$8,710
Length
28 weeks, 34 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$995
Students counted
24
Earned a year, estimated
$34,800
Price if you pay yourself
$6,005
students trained with WIOA funding
3
Program website, Dental Assistant at Bci Inc.
Dental assistantOnlineNo diploma needed
Dental Assistant
Bci Inc.
Based in Brookline, MA
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Bci Inc., based in Brookline, MADental assistant · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$33,600
Price if you pay yourself$7,000
3 students trained with WIOA funding
Program website, Dental Assistant at Bci Inc.
More details about Dental Assistant at Bci Inc.
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
$8,404
Length
28 weeks, 34 hours a week
Cost of supplies
Not reported
Students counted
21
Earned a year, estimated
$33,600
Price if you pay yourself
$7,000
students trained with WIOA funding
3
Program website, Dental Assistant at Bci Inc.
Dental assistantIn personNo diploma needed
Dental Assisting (In-District)
Charles H. McCann Technical School
North Adams
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Charles H. McCann Technical School, North AdamsDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$1,500
School website, Dental Assisting (In-District) at Charles H. McCann Technical School
More details about Dental Assisting (In-District) at Charles H. McCann Technical School
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
38 weeks, 32 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$2,223
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$1,500
School website, Dental Assisting (In-District) at Charles H. McCann Technical School
Dental assistantIn personNo diploma needed
Dental Assistant
North Shore Community College
Danvers
Accredited school
No diploma needed
North Shore Community College, DanversDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$1,798
Program website, Dental Assistant at North Shore Community College
More details about Dental Assistant at North Shore Community College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
12 weeks, 9 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$300
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$1,798
Program website, Dental Assistant at North Shore Community College
Dental assistantOnlineNo diploma needed
Clinical Dental Assistant (Vouchers Included)
Worcester State University
Based in Worcester, MA
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Worcester State University, based in Worcester, MADental assistant · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$3,623
Program website, Clinical Dental Assistant (Vouchers Included) at Worcester State University
More details about Clinical Dental Assistant (Vouchers Included) at Worcester State University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
15 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
Not reported
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$3,623
Program website, Clinical Dental Assistant (Vouchers Included) at Worcester State University
Dental assistantIn personNo diploma needed
Dental Assistant Program
New England Dental Assistant School
Worcester
No diploma needed
New England Dental Assistant School, WorcesterDental assistantIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$3,800
Program website, Dental Assistant Program at New England Dental Assistant School
More details about Dental Assistant Program at New England Dental Assistant School
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
43 weeks, 22 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$2,335
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$3,800
Program website, Dental Assistant Program at New England Dental Assistant School
Dental assistantOnlineNo diploma needed
Dental Assistant
Greenfield Community College
Based in Greenfield, MA
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Greenfield Community College, based in Greenfield, MADental assistant · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$3,999
Program website, Dental Assistant at Greenfield Community College
More details about Dental Assistant at Greenfield Community College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
20 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
Not reported
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$3,999
Program website, Dental Assistant at Greenfield Community College
Dental assistantIn personNo diploma needed
Dental Assisting
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech.
Taunton
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech., TauntonDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$4,500
Program website, Dental Assisting at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech.
More details about Dental Assisting at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech.
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
40 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$5,485
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$4,500
Program website, Dental Assisting at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech.
Dental assistantIn personNo diploma needed
Dental Assisting - post secondary
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech.
Taunton
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech., TauntonDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$4,500
School website, Dental Assisting - post secondary at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech.
More details about Dental Assisting - post secondary at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech.
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
38 weeks, 15 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$350
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$4,500
School website, Dental Assisting - post secondary at Bristol-Plymouth Regional Tech.
Dental assistantOnlineNo diploma needed
Dental Assistant Entry Level with Externship cs
Worcester State University
Based in Worcester, MA
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Worcester State University, based in Worcester, MADental assistant · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$4,728
Program website, Dental Assistant Entry Level with Externship cs at Worcester State University
More details about Dental Assistant Entry Level with Externship cs at Worcester State University
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
23 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
Not reported
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$4,728
Program website, Dental Assistant Entry Level with Externship cs at Worcester State University
Dental assistantIn personNo diploma needed
Dental Assisting
Southeastern Regional School District
South Easton
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Southeastern Regional School District, South EastonDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$6,000
Program website, Dental Assisting at Southeastern Regional School District
More details about Dental Assisting at Southeastern Regional School District
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
33 weeks, 32 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$2,211
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$6,000
Program website, Dental Assisting at Southeastern Regional School District
Dental assistantIn personNo diploma needed
Dental Assistant
Massasoit Community College
Brockton
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Massasoit Community College, BrocktonDental assistant · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$8,960
School website, Dental Assistant at Massasoit Community College
More details about Dental Assistant at Massasoit Community College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
34 weeks, 35 hours a week
Cost of supplies
$5,941
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$8,960
School website, Dental Assistant at Massasoit Community College
Dental assistantIn personNo diploma needed
Dental Assisting
Porter and Chester Institute
Rocky Hill, CT
No diploma needed
Porter and Chester Institute, Rocky Hill, CTDental assistantIn person · No diploma needed
Classes are outside Massachusetts; Massachusetts approved the program for its funding.
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$19,535
Program website, Dental Assisting at Porter and Chester Institute
More details about Dental Assisting at Porter and Chester Institute
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
40 weeks, 27 hours a week
Cost of supplies
Not reported
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$19,535
Program website, Dental Assisting at Porter and Chester Institute

How to pay for dental assistant programs in Massachusetts

WIOA funding can pay for dental assistant programs in Massachusetts

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 Massachusetts

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare: 20th of 32
dental assistant programs here, against the typical state's 12: 14 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 Providence, Boston, Pittsfield and other Massachusetts cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 in smaller cities and towns and 6 online.

Other training in Massachusetts

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

Where the Massachusetts dental assisting program numbers come from

Which Massachusetts dental assisting programs are on this list?

These are the dental assisting programs Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts offers.

How the prices and results of Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts

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Dental assistant programs in Massachusetts

How much do dental assistant programs cost in Massachusetts?

Are there free dental assistant programs in Massachusetts?

All 14 dental assistant programs in Massachusetts approved for WIOA funding