Dental Assisting

Lamson’s Dental Assisting diploma program instructs students in a variety of dental office procedures and laboratory techniques. Students learn to assist dentists during procedures, take dental x-rays, prepare patients for treatment and manage sterilization protocols, as well as front office management, preliminary examination procedures, chairside dentistry, patient care, charting, appointment scheduling and records-keeping.

Chairside training is led by a dentist with 25 years of experience and includes hands-on practice with a digital dental scanner, technology many dental offices now use in place of traditional impressions. The 940-hour program ends with a 300-hour externship across a minimum of two approved San Antonio-area dental offices. Graduates receive a Diploma in Dental Assisting and CPR certification from the American Heart Association, and are on the path to becoming Registered Dental Assistants (RDA) through the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE).

Lamson Institute has provided hands-on career training in Northwest San Antonio since August 2007, as a branch campus of the Institute for Business and Technology, which was founded in 1965. The school’s mission is to prepare students for career-focused employment by delivering relevant career training, and its curriculum is reviewed regularly by industry professionals.

• Programs can be completed in as few as 9 to 11 months, with morning and evening classes.
• The campus occupies approximately 55,000 square feet in the Exchange Plaza at N.W. Loop 410 and Bandera Road, with classrooms, lecture rooms, a learning resource center, computer labs, medical labs and specialized instructional areas.
• Small classes: traditional class size is up to 30 students, the maximum student-teacher ratio in a laboratory class is 20 to 1, and computer labs have one-to-one equipment.
• USA TODAY, with research firm Statista, named Lamson Institute one of America’s Top Vocational Schools for 2026.
• Graduates may retake any course they have completed at no charge, apart from books and supplies, when space is available.

Dental Assisting applicants must meet Lamson’s general admissions requirements: a high school diploma or recognized equivalent; age 18 (or 17 with written parent or guardian approval, turning 18 before graduation or the externship); a passing score of at least 75 on the EduReady Admissions Assessment, unless they hold an associate degree or higher; a campus tour and personal interview; a valid Social Security card and government-issued photo ID; and a completed enrollment agreement and registration fee.

In addition, Dental Assisting applicants must:

• Pass a criminal background check and fingerprinting/drug screening.
• Provide a signed order for x-rays (18 fmx/pano) from their dentist indicating that they may have radiographs taken of them.

If this documentation cannot be provided before enrollment, it must be provided by the end of the first module or the student will not be allowed to continue. Externship sites may also require background checks, medical exams, drug tests and proof of immunizations.

The program runs in 4-week modules, with classes of 5 hours per day, Monday through Thursday, in the morning (8:00 am – 1:00 pm) or evening (5:45 pm – 10:45 pm) session — a weekly commitment of 20 hours of lecture and lab — followed by the 300-hour externship. The expected completion time is 47 weeks.

2026 start dates (and graduation dates): January 19 (December 11, 2026); February 16 (January 22, 2027); March 16 (February 19, 2027); April 13 (March 19, 2027); May 11 (April 16, 2027); June 8 (May 14, 2027); July 6 (June 11, 2027); August 3 (July 9, 2027); August 31 (August 6, 2027); September 28 (September 3, 2027); October 26 (October 1, 2027); November 23 (October 29, 2027).

Externship hours can vary from day to day and week to week depending on the site.

Program costs (starts on or after February 1, 2026): tuition $17,664; registration fee $40; books $419; uniforms $50; total $18,173. Students may opt out of buying their books from the school. Tuition is guaranteed for the term of your enrollment.

Financial aid. Lamson is approved to participate in federal Title IV programs for students who qualify: the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loans for parents. Apply by completing the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov. Institutional payment plans are available for charges not met by aid, Climb Credit offers third-party financing, and the school can bill employers, workforce agencies or the VA for eligible students.

Successful completion prepares students for entry-level work in a dental clinic or practice as dental assistants, administrative assistants and receptionists. Example entry-level job titles include Dental Assistant, Dental Administrative Assistant, Dental Receptionist, Pediatric, Orthodontic and Endodontic Dental Assistant, Dental Insurance Biller, Dental Lab Assistant and Dental Supply/Sales Representative.

RDA pathway. The program prepares students to sit for the DANB Infection Control Exam, the DANB Radiation Health and Safety exam and the TSBDE Texas Jurisprudence Assessment, which students begin taking during the program. Graduates who pass these exams may apply through the TSBDE to become a Registered Dental Assistant.

Career services. The Career Services Department helps students and graduates with job leads, resumes, cover letters, applications, interviews and externship coordination, at no additional cost throughout their careers. Lamson does not promise or guarantee employment. Graduates who show 30 days of career-related employment receive a $100 Graduate Employment Gift.

Class schedule. In-classroom programs meet Monday through Thursday for 5 hours each day or evening: the morning session runs 8:00 am – 1:00 pm and the evening session 5:45 pm – 10:45 pm, in 50-minute class periods with breaks. When a holiday falls on a Monday, classes meet Tuesday through Friday that week. All students have a weekly commitment of 20 hours of lecture and lab.

Support. All new students attend an orientation that introduces faculty, administrators and academic life. Tutors are available as needed at no charge, and the Director of Education and Director of Career Services offer advising.

Grading. Grades are A (90–100), B (80–89), C (70–79) and F (below 70), based on written exams, practical exercises, projects and other work.

Graduation. To graduate you must complete all required courses and credits, earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, complete each course with at least 80% attendance, and pass all required competency and skill testing. Graduating students also complete an exit interview with Career Services and submit an approved resume, cover letter and three references.