From Athens to the classroom
TX-31 east through Tyler and on to Longview is about 70 miles — call it 1 hour 20 minutes. Nobody should sugar-coat that as a casual commute. Start online, and if you find yourself wanting live chairside reps, the online tuition transfers as credit toward the in-person program within 90 days.
Our one and only campus: 2800 Gilmer Rd, Suite 106, Longview, TX 75604 — about 70 miles from Athens via TX-31 East. Distances and drive times are approximate; check your own route.
What you'll learn
In-person or online, the curriculum is the same set of skills offices hire for:
- ✓ Charting — reading the tooth chart and recording conditions and treatment accurately.
- ✓ Radiology basics — how dental x-rays work and how they fit into patient care.
- ✓ Chairside assisting — setting up, passing instruments, and supporting the dentist during procedures.
- ✓ Front-office software — the practice-management tools offices use to schedule, chart, and bill.
- ✓ Infection control — sterilization and safety the way real offices run it.
Want to test-drive it before you spend a dollar? The free Texas RDA practice exam and our charting trainer show you exactly what the work feels like.
Pay & funding
We keep tuition straightforward. In-person is $3,000 paid in full, or $500 down on a $3,500 payment plan with simple weekly or monthly payments. Online is a flat $397, self-paced. No surprises and nothing buried in fine print.
Depending on your situation, you may qualify for WIOA workforce funding through your local Workforce Solutions office — we can't promise anything, but we're glad to point you in the right direction. Apply or reach out and we'll talk through your options. Wondering what dental assistants earn in East Texas? See our salary page.
New to dental assisting?
Start with our plain-English guide: How to become a dental assistant in Texas — the requirements, training, registration, cost, and timeline, step by step.
Athens-area FAQs
Is the drive from Athens realistic?
For a weekly class, usually not — it's about 80 minutes each way. That's why we'd point most Athens students to the online program first: $397, self-paced, same curriculum, and it transfers as credit toward in-person within 90 days if you upgrade.
Can I really become a dental assistant training mostly from home?
Yes. The curriculum — charting, radiology basics, chairside assisting concepts, infection control, front-office software — is built to be learned online, and free tools like our practice exam and charting trainers let you drill skills from anywhere.
What about the Texas RDA registration steps?
Texas requires radiology, jurisprudence, and infection-control courses plus TSBDE registration — a state process you complete regardless of where you trained. Our Texas RDA guide lays out each step.
What does it cost from Athens?
Online: $397 flat. In-person in Longview: $3,000 paid in full or $500 down on a $3,500 plan. Depending on your situation, WIOA workforce funding through your local Workforce Solutions office may help.
