Looking to begin dental assistant training in Missouri that prepares you for real-world success? Midwest Institute’s accredited Dental Assistant Program in St. Louis provides hands-on experience, modern facilities, and expert instruction to ensure you are job-ready from day one. Whether your goal is fast track dental assistant certification or a full career in dental health, our program sets the foundation for your success.
Our dental assistant classes utilize state-of-the-art equipment combined with a complete dental operatory to provide a virtual dental office designed to groom students for the actual work environment. There is constant one-on-one interaction to learn about the equipment and the latest techniques used in today’s dental field. Our classrooms are spacious and efficient for practicing techniques.
Be in demand as a Dental Assistant!
A dental assistant is invaluable as a member of the dental health team, providing assistance to chair side, laboratory and administrative procedures. At chair side, they assist the dentist in making patients comfortable and preparing them for treatment. They hand instruments and materials to dentists and are responsible for sterilizing the instruments used. In the office, they schedule and confirm appointments. In the lab, they make casts of teeth, clean and polish removable appliances and make temporary crowns.
Dental assistants are always in demand.
Dental Assistant Jobs in St. Louis and Missouri are in high demand. With preventive dental care on the rise, trained professionals are needed in private dental offices, orthodontic clinics, pediatric offices, and public health settings.
- Average dental assistant salary in Missouri (2025): Good avarage salary in missouri for dental assistant
- Employment growth: Steady demand for certified dental assistants statewide
- Career paths: Chairside assisting, lab procedures, administrative support, radiography, patient education
which is much faster than the average for all occupations combined. Ongoing research linking oral health and general health will continue to increase the demand for preventive dental services. As dental practices grow, more dental assistants will be needed.
Dental Assistant Training in St. Louis
Are you looking for a career that offers the opportunity to provide a needed service to others? Our accredited dental assistant school in St. Louis, MO, offers a comprehensive, hands-on program to ensure that our students acquire the confidence and skills needed to perform their very first day on the job:
- You will train in our hands-on dental assistant lab training with a fully equipped dental operatory and virtual dental office setup matching what you’ll find in leading dental practices.
- One-on-one instruction ensures you master each technique under expert supervision.
- Our technical school in Missouri uses modern tools like digital X-ray machines, impression trays, sterilization units, and more to support your growth.
These program features set the foundation for a career as a dental assistant. To ensure our graduates are prepared to succeed on the job, Students gain comprehensive skills in:
- Chairside assisting during dental procedures
- Lab functions: impressions, crowns, models, trays
- Office management: scheduling, billing, patient communication
- Sterilization and infection control procedures
- X-ray preparation and processing
- Interpersonal and communication skills for patient care
Your Career as a Dental Assistant
A dental assistant is invaluable as a member of the dental health team, aiding in chair-side, laboratory, and administrative procedures. As a dental assistant, you get the chance to help people improve their oral health while working alongside a dentist or dental hygienist. Though the exact duties of a dental assistant vary from state to state, you will most likely be:
- Seating patients in the treatment area
- Passing requested instruments to the dentist during dental procedures
- Sterilizing and preparing instruments
- Taking impressions of teeth for study models
- Polishing crowns
- Taking and developing X-rays
- Performing laboratory functions, such as pouring and trimming models, constructing custom trays, and fabricating temporary crowns and bridges
- Assisting with implementation and documentation of current infection control standards
- Work with patients to make them comfortable in the dental chair and prepare them for treatments and procedures
- Sterilize dental instruments
- Prepare the work area for patient treatment by setting out instruments and materials
- Help dentists by handing them instruments during procedures
- Keep patients’ mouths dry by using suction hoses or other equipment
- Instruct patients in proper dental hygiene
- Process X-rays and do lab tasks under the direction of a dentist
- Keep records of dental treatments
- Schedule patient appointments
- Manage billing and payment
Additionally, having a calm and positive demeanor sets a good tone in the dentist’s office and helps patients feel less anxious, so your attitude is a huge part of a dental assistant job. You will have the opportunity to meet many patients and could be one of the first faces they see upon entering the office.
Dental Assisting Training Available in a Convenient Online Blended Format!
Our online dental assistant programs accredited allow you to complete coursework from anywhere while attending scheduled hands-on labs at our St. Louis campus or approved clinical sites.
- Flexible scheduling to fit work or family life
- Access course materials anytime
- Personalized support from experienced instructors
Students follow the same rigorous curriculum as our on-campus program, completing coursework both online and through hands-on experience at our campus or clinical sites. Lab sessions are scheduled individually for maximum flexibility.
Enroll Today in Dental Assistant Training – we offer open enrollment dental assistant programs in Missouri with multiple start dates throughout the year. Midwest Institute is FAFSA-approved, and eligible students may qualify for Pell Grants, scholarships, or WIOA funding.
Apply now to reserve your spot in one of our fast track dental assistant certification programs.
Why Choose Online Blended Learning?
- Flexible scheduling
- Convenient access to course materials
- Encourages lifelong learning
- Builds self-discipline and time management skills
- Greater opportunity for personalized support
- Learn from anywhere — the classroom comes to you
Accreditation/Certification Information for Our Dental Assisting Program
The dental assistant program at Midwest Institute is fully accredited and encourages students to earn national and state certifications:
- National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) Certification Exam
- Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Examination
Completing these dental assistant certification programs helps graduates stand out in a competitive job market and increases earning potential.
The dental assistant program at Midwest Institute is institutionally accredited by ABHES. Graduates are eligible for — and encouraged to take — the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) Certification Exam, which is offered by the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), Inc. Passing the NELDA exam conveys qualifications to perform duties in those states that recognize the exam or certification as meeting state dental assisting requirements. Graduates are also eligible for and encouraged to take the “Basic Skills” examination, which is offered by the state of Missouri and recognized on a local level.
In addition, the American Medical Technologists (AMT) offers the Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) examination, which is also available to graduates of the Midwest Institute Dental Assisting Program. Both the NELDA and the RDA examinations are recognized on a national level.
Dental assisting is more than a job — it’s a chance to develop a satisfying career that brings you joy each and every day. Getting a great dental assisting job in St. Louis, the state of Missouri, or another part of the country is just weeks away! Midwest Institute’s accredited dental assistant training program is offered at the Earth City campus.
If you have any questions, just contact us, and one of our knowledgeable admissions counselors will respond promptly to assist you.
This program is offered at the Earth City Campus.
See our Dental Assisting students in action!
FAQ
- How long is the dental assistant program?
The most complete fast track dental assistant certification in under a year. - Is certification required in Missouri?
NELDA / RDA recommended for dental assistant certification programs. - Can I enroll online?
Yes, online dental assistant programs are accredited. - Financial aid available?
FAFSA-approved medical schools, Missouri, scholarships, WIOA funding.
