Dental assistant training in Parma, Ohio
Train as a dental assistant in 12 weeks, inside a working orthodontic office
Do your coursework online during the week, then come in for hands-on labs on Saturdays at Premier Smiles Orthodontics in Parma.
- $3,450 total tuition
- Payment plans available
Next class: Winter 2027, January to March. [CONFIRM: start date]
Licensed by the State of Ohio, [CONFIRM: Registration No. 2190 or Permit #2109].
Program at a glance
- 12 weeks, start to finish
- Online coursework during the week, labs on Saturdays
- No dental experience needed
- Spring 2026 class: 100% graduated
Find a healthcare job that doesn't take years of school
Every dental practice needs assistants to set up instruments, prepare rooms, and keep patients comfortable while dentists work.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady job growth for dental assistants. After your training, you can work in general dentistry, orthodontics or pediatric dentistry.
- Steady demand in a field that holds up through recessions
- Competitive pay for a role you can train for in weeks
- Room to specialize in orthodontics, pediatrics or general dentistry
- A way into healthcare without years of school
- Daily work with patients, helping them feel good about their smiles
Started by a Cleveland orthodontist
To train the assistants that local practices need
Dr. Dale Kates, founder and CEO of Premier Smiles Orthodontics, started VIP after seeing two problems in Northeast Ohio:
- Dental practices couldn't find enough trained assistants
- People who wanted a healthcare career couldn't take on the time and cost of a traditional program
VIP trains students inside his Parma office for 12 weeks, at a fraction of college tuition, and connects graduates to dental practices across Greater Cleveland — east side and west.
What sets VIP apart
- Train inside a working dental practice, not only a simulation lab
- 12 weeks, start to finish
- Online coursework plus in-person Saturday labs
- Your instructors work in dental offices every day
- Employment support after you graduate
Keep your job while you train
Your program fits around a work week. First, you do the coursework online on your own schedule.
On Saturdays, you train in person with experienced dental professionals at Premier Smiles Orthodontics in Parma—gaining hands-on practice in an active orthodontic clinic rather than a simulation lab.
What you practice on Saturdays
- Chairside assisting
- Identifying and sterilizing instruments
- Preparing patients for treatment
- Infection control
- Talking with patients and the dental team
Clinical hours
Clinical hours are where the coursework becomes routine. You work under supervision in a real dental office, see how a day's schedule actually runs, and find out which kind of dentistry you'd like to work in.
If you haven't landed a job by graduation, we encourage you to keep logging clinical hours as your time allows.
$3,450 covers the whole program
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Registration fee | $100 |
| Tuition | $3,070 |
| Books | $280 |
| Total | $3,450 |
What your tuition includes
- The full 12-week curriculum
- Hands-on training inside a working dental practice
- Use of equipment and instructional materials
- Instruction from practicing dental professionals
- Employment support after graduation
You'll also need clinical scrubs for the Saturday labs. Call (440) 847-8111 to learn about your payment plan options.
How to enroll
You don't need any dental experience. The program starts from the beginning.
- Complete an admissions interview and tour the training facility—call (440) 847-8111 to schedule.
- Be at least 18 years old by your graduation date
- Show proof of a high school diploma or GED
- Buy clinical scrubs to wear during class sessions
How the Spring 2026 class did
Spring 2026 class
- Graduation rate
- 100%
- Employment rate
- 53% [CONFIRM: measured when, and in dental roles?]
Every student in the Spring 2026 class finished the program. No school can promise you a job, but after you graduate, our employment support team sends your resume and completion certificate to dental practices where you want to work.
What recent students say
“I feel like I definitely got my money’s worth! Great facility and great staff. Great choice for me and my schedule!”
“The class was very well planned out, with great instructors who taught the material very well.”
“The details are lengthy, but you still have knowledge going into the office, so you aren’t walking in blind.”
“It was the perfect speed and length!”
FAQs about enrolling
Do I need dental experience?
No. The program is built for beginners.
Can I work while I'm enrolled?
Yes. Coursework is online during the week and labs are on Saturdays, so the schedule is built for people with a weekday job.
Is the program fully online?
No. You do the coursework online, and the Saturday labs are in person at the Parma office.
Is 12 weeks really enough?
The curriculum covers the clinical skills a dental assistant uses every day, and you practice them in a working office every Saturday.
Will I be ready to work when I finish?
That's what the program is built for. You leave with the chairside skills dental offices hire for, practiced in a real office.
Does VIP guarantee a job?
No. Every graduate gets employment support, including having their resume sent to practices in the area where they want to work.
What kinds of offices hire dental assistants?
General dentists, orthodontists, pediatric dentists and other specialty practices.
Are payment plans available?
Yes. Call (440) 847-8111 and we'll go over the options.
Are there costs beyond the $3,450?
You buy your own clinical scrubs. We'll go over everything else during your admissions interview.
How do I get started?
Send the form below or call (440) 847-8111 to book your admissions interview and tour.
Don’t miss out
Apply for the next class
Seats are limited so every student gets hands-on time in the lab. Send the form and the school director will get back to you with the class schedule and the next steps. If you'd rather talk now, call (440) 847-8111 or email director@vipdentalasst.com.
Class location
Inside Premier Smiles Orthodontics, 5603 Ridge Road, Parma, OH 44129 [CONFIRM: public address]. It's an easy drive from Seven Hills and from the east and west sides of Cleveland.