Why Choose Dental Assisting?
Becoming a dental assistant is your chance to take control of your future with a flexible, high-paying, in-demand, and rewarding healthcare career. You’ll be able to make a real difference in people’s lives and take pride in your work. Plus…
Salary range between
$27,000 to $55,000.
The demand for qualified dental assistants is growing fast!
Most dental assistants work a traditional 9-5 schedule.
What Does A Dental Assistant Do?
Dental assistants are essential members of any dental practice team. As a dental assistant, you may be responsible for:
- Preparing patients for treatment and ensuring their comfort.
- Sterilizing dental equipment and instruments.
- Assisting a dentist during procedures.
- Helping patients understand how to care for their teeth and gums.
- Working with high-tech dental x-rays and other lab and diagnostic tools.
- Scheduling patients’ appointments and reminding them of upcoming treatments.
- Helping patients work with their insurance companies to resolve billing and payment issues.
There’s never a slow moment in a dental practice. When you work as a dental assistant, you’ll be amazed at how fast the day goes by and how much you’ll see, learn, and do.
“I felt like I was settling when it came to my old job. PNWDAS gave me the opportunity to expand my new dental career as much as I possibly could.”
Career Growth and Opportunities
A career in dental assisting is a great way to explore and prepare for other jobs in healthcare without the investment required by a four-year (or longer) degree program. Dental assistants experience all aspects of what it takes to run a dental practice, including administration, patient care, and more.
With experience and additional training and education, many dental assistants become:
- Dental hygienists.
- Dental office managers.
- Insurance claims processing & coding.
Vancouver and Portland area dental assistants may earn between $30,000 to $55,000 annually or about $20 – $27/hr depending on supply and demand as well as the assistant’s experience.
Is Dental Assisting Right For You?
The best dental assistants are flexible, hard-working, compassionate, detail-oriented, great listeners and communicators, and have excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills. At Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School, we can help you develop the confidence and skills you need to become an outstanding dental assistant with our dental assisting program.
Meet Our Faculty
25+ Years Experience!
Learn About Our Program
Intern & Graduate In 12 Weeks!
“My experience was absolutely amazing. I got hired at a dental office even before I finished this program! I have to say a big thank you to Melanie and Tanya. I know without these two, I wouldn’t know what I know today. I highly recommend the Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School program.”
-Inna K.
Why Choose Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School?
Fast-Paced Hybrid Program
Only 12 weeks to an exciting career.
Small Class Sizes
We limit our class sizes so our students can receive personalized instruction.
Tuition is Only $6,995!
Financial assistance available.
Ask admissions to confirm current tuition, fees and payment-plan terms.
Flexible Class Schedules
Nights & weekend class options.
Keep working while you study.
Great Career Opportunities
Ask admissions about current career-preparation support. Employment is not guaranteed.
Dental Treatment
Dental treatment discounts available for students.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Assisting Careers
How Does Dental Assisting Compare to Other Healthcare Careers?
Dental assisting has many advantages compared to other healthcare careers. Many of our students consider studying to work as a medical laboratory assistant, certified nursing assistant (CNA), or other healthcare technicians. However, these positions often require long, unpredictable hours (including evening and weekend work) for low pay. By comparison, dental assistants tend to work regular office hours for much better pay.
How do I Find my First Dental Assisting Position?
When you complete your classroom training and internship at the Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School, we will actively assist you in your career search. We place our graduates with many local dental practices, and nearly 100% of our graduates start working right away.
How Much do Dental Assistants Make?
Vancouver and Portland area dental assistants may earn between $27,000 to $55,000 annually or about $14 – $27/hr depending on supply and demand as well as the assistant’s experience.
Do I Need any Healthcare Experience Before Becoming a Dental Assistant?
No! Most of the students at Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School have no healthcare career background or training. Many of our students are recent high school graduates or have worked in unrelated fields like retail sales.
Get in Touch With Us Today
Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School
19301 SE 34th St, #105
Camas, WA 98607
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Office Phone: (360) 818-7273
Office Fax: (360) 369-4527
How to Compare Dental Assisting Programs in Vancouver, Camas, WA & Portland, OR
Program Evaluation Methodology: When prospective students compare dental assisting schools across Southwest Washington and the Portland metro area, we recommend evaluating five objective, quantitative criteria:
- Time to Career Entry: Total calendar weeks from orientation to clinical graduation.
- All-Inclusive Tuition Transparency: Whether scrubs, PPE, textbooks, BLS/CPR certification, and state registration fees are included upfront.
- Real-Clinic Chairside Hours: Hands-on training inside real dental operatories versus classroom-only simulation or video-only instruction.
- Externship Placement Support: Guaranteed clinical externship hours with practicing dentists and dental teams.
- State Licensing & Radiography Alignment: Preparation for Washington DOH RDA registration (WAC 246-817-190) and DANB RHS radiography exams (OAR 818-042-0060).
| Program Feature | PNWDAS 12-Week Hybrid Program (Camas, WA) | 9–24 Month Community / Technical College | Online-Only Self-Paced Theory Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Suited For | Adults & career changers wanting fast, hands-on clinical entry in 12 weeks while keeping weekday/weekend flexibility | Students seeking a multi-quarter academic calendar with general education credits | Self-study learners who already have a dental office willing to train them chairside from scratch |
| Program Duration | 12 Weeks (Upcoming cohorts: Nov 10, 2026 · Dec 5, 2026 · Jan 11, 2027) | 9 to 24 Months (3–6 academic quarters) | Varies (typically 3–12 months self-paced) |
| Total Tuition & Supplies | $5,995 Holiday Tuition Offer (regularly $6,995 all-inclusive; $250 deposit; interest-free payment plans & WorkSource WIOA eligible) | $8,000–$18,000+ (plus separate textbooks, instruments, scrubs, and campus fees) | $1,500–$4,000 (excludes hands-on operatory labs, PPE, and clinical supplies) |
| Hands-On Chairside Lab | 144 Hours (online lectures + in-person chairside & digital X-ray labs inside an active Camas dental clinic) | Campus simulation lab on weekday daytime schedule | 0 in-person lab hours (video/reading only) |
| Clinical Externship | 50-Hour Clinical Externship coordinated in a practicing dental office | Included in final quarter | Student must locate and negotiate their own clinic site |
| Credentials & Exam Prep | WTECB Certificate + AHA BLS/CPR + WA State RDA Fee Included + DANB RHS Exam Prep | Certificate/Diploma; state & DANB fees billed separately | Course completion certificate only; all fees separate |
Ready to Compare in Person? Claim the $1,000 Off Holiday Tuition Offer ($5,995), Submit Your Online Application, or call/text (360) 818-7273 to schedule a tour at 19301 SE 34th St, Suite 105, Camas, WA 98607.
