HYBRID ONLINE + HANDS ON COURSE
Launch your Dental Career in 13 Weeks
Take the first step toward a rewarding healthcare career with hands-on training from experienced dental professionals. At Avid Dental Academy, you’ll learn in a real dental office, earn industry certifications, and graduate prepared for your next opportunity.
Week Program
Experience as a private practice
Experienced Dentists
CLINICAL IMMERSION
Learn Where Dentistry Happens
There’s no substitute for learning by doing. Through clinical immersion at Arkansas Family Dental, students apply what they’ve learned while developing practical skills alongside experienced dental professionals. It’s an opportunity to strengthen their abilities in a working dental practice before taking the next step toward a career in dental assisting.
Hands-on Clinical Training
Apply your knowledge through clinical immersion as you develop practical skills alongside experienced dental professionals.
Industry Certifications
Earn industry-recognized certifications that help prepare you for employment and the next step in your dental assisting career.
Modern Dental Technology
Train with advanced dental technology used to support modern patient care, including equipment not commonly available in every dental practice.
Small Class Sizes
Learn from experienced dentists and dental professionals who are passionate about helping students succeed.
External Opportunities
Complete a supervised externship in an approved dental practice where you’ll apply your skills before graduation.
Next Class
Your new career starts here. Apply today and take the first step toward becoming a dental assistant in just 13 weeks!
Start Date
Fall 2026 | August 29, 2026
DENTIST-LED EDUCATION
Why Students Choose Avid Dental Academy
After years of practicing dentistry, Dr. Samaria Mascagni saw firsthand how skilled dental assistants help create a positive experience for both patients and the dental team. When she founded Avid Dental Academy, her goal was to create a program shaped by the knowledge and standards that guide a successful dental practice.
Backed by more than 23 years of experience at Arkansas Family Dental, students learn from experienced dentists and dental professionals who are passionate about helping the next generation succeed. That experience helps shape a supportive learning environment in which classroom instruction is strengthened by the insights of professionals who understand the profession firsthand.
BUILD ESSENTIAL SKILLS
What Makes Our Program Different?
A successful career begins with a strong foundation. At Avid Dental Academy, every part of the program is designed to help students develop the clinical, technical, and professional skills needed to begin their careers with confidence.
From the way students learn to the guidance they receive throughout the program, every experience is centered on helping students grow into capable, career-ready dental assistants.
Hybrid Learning
Self-paced online coursework combined with scheduled hands-on training
Clinical Immersion
Small Cohorts
Career Readiness
Resume Guidance
Interview Preparation
Personalized Mentorship
Maximum 10 students
Real dental practice exposure
1:10 Instructor Ratio
Modern Dental Technology
Digital Scanning
Radiography
Chairside Assisting
Contemporary Equipment
Professional Etiquette
Workflow Expectations
LEARN FROM EXPERIENCED DENTAL PROFESSIONALS
Meet the Professionals Behind Your Training
Choosing a career is a big decision, and having the right people by your side can make all the difference. At Avid Dental Academy, our instructors are committed to creating a learning experience where students feel encouraged, supported, and motivated to reach their goals.
Drawing from years of experience in dentistry, our instructional team brings knowledge, guidance, and a genuine passion for teaching to every lesson. Their commitment to education helps students build a strong foundation for a rewarding future in dental assisting.
WHAT YOU’LL EARN THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM
Earn Industry-Recognized Certifications
Your education is about more than just completing a program. Throughout your time at Avid Dental Academy, you’ll earn industry-recognized certifications that reflect the training you’ve completed while preparing for a rewarding career in dental assisting.
These credentials demonstrate your training in key areas of the profession and help prepare you for opportunities after graduation.
Dental Assisting Certificate of Completion
Represents successful completion of Avid Dental Academy’s Dental Assistant Program.
Nitrous Oxide Certificate
Prepares students to assist with nitrous oxide administration as part of patient care in a dental setting.
Radiography Certificate
Certifies students to perform dental radiography as part of patient care.
CPR and Basic Life Support Certification
Demonstrates training in basic life support and emergency response to help prepare students for a variety of clinical situations.
explore the program
Is Dental Assisting Right for You?
Growing Demand
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects dental assistant employment to grow 6% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations.
Start Your Career Sooner
Prepare for a career in dentistry in just 13 weeks instead of spending years earning a traditional college degree.
Dental assisting offers the opportunity to build a meaningful career while making a difference in the lives of others. With growing demand for qualified professionals and a faster path to entering the workforce, it’s a career that continues to attract people looking for stability, purpose, and long-term opportunities.
Whether you’re beginning your career, changing paths, or returning to school, dental assisting provides an opportunity to join a growing healthcare profession without spending years in a traditional college program.
ENROLLMENT MADE EASY
Five Simple Steps to Get Started
Getting started at Avid Dental Academy is simple. From your application to your first day of class, our team is here to guide you through each step of the enrollment process and answer your questions along the way.
Whether you’re ready to apply or still exploring your options, we’ll help you understand what to expect so you can take the next step when you’re ready.
Apply
Complete the online registration application to begin the admissions process.
Get Approved
Meet with the Avid Dental Academy team to discuss your goals, learn more about the program, and demonstrate your commitment to becoming a dental assistant.
Register
Applicants will be notified of their admissions decision and provided with the next steps if accepted into the program.
Complete Payment
Finalize your enrollment and prepare for your first day at Avid Dental Academy.
Start Classes
Begin your Dental Assistant Program and start building the knowledge, practical experience, and confidence needed for a career in dentistry.
INVEST WITH CONFIDENCE
Tuition & Payment Options
Interest-Free Payment Plans
Transparent Tuition
Required Instructional Materials Included
A career in healthcare doesn’t have to begin with years of college or significant student debt. Avid Dental Academy offers a faster, more affordable path into dental assisting, making it possible to invest in your future without the financial burden often associated with traditional degree programs.
questions?
We’ve Got Answers
Starting a new career is a big decision, and having the right information can make that process easier. We’ve answered some of the questions prospective students ask while considering a career in dental assisting.
What makes Avid different from traditional dental assisting schools?
Avid Dental Academy offers more than a traditional dental assisting education by giving students the opportunity to learn through one of Central Arkansas’ most established dental practices. Backed by more than 23 years of experience at Arkansas Family Dental, our program is developed and overseen by a practicing dentist, allowing students to experience real clinical workflows instead of learning exclusively in a simulated lab environment.
Our 131-hour training model includes 52 hours of hands-on lab training, 50 hours of supervised externship experience in a dental practice, and industry-recognized certifications in Radiology, Nitrous Oxide, CPR, and Basic Life Support. With access to advanced dental technology and a wide range of clinical procedures, students graduate better prepared for entry-level dental assisting opportunities.
What are the admissions requirements?
To apply to Avid Dental Academy, applicants must meet the following admissions requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Possess a high school diploma or GED before enrollment
- Complete a registration application
- Participate in an admissions interview
How many hours of hands-on training will I complete?
Hands-on learning is at the heart of the Avid Dental Academy experience. Students complete 52 hours of laboratory training in Avid Dental Academy’s dedicated simulated lab while gaining valuable exposure to the daily operations of Arkansas Family Dental through clinical immersion.
The program also includes a 50-hour supervised externship, giving students additional experience working alongside dental professionals while becoming familiar with the responsibilities and workflow of a dental practice.
Can I work while completing the program?
Yes. Avid Dental Academy’s hybrid learning model is designed to provide flexibility for students who are balancing work, family, and other responsibilities while pursuing a new career.
Students complete their online coursework on their own schedule and attend scheduled lab training sessions throughout the program. As long as your work schedule doesn’t conflict with your required lab training hours, many students are able to continue working while completing the program.
Will I receive job placement assistance?
While Avid Dental Academy cannot guarantee employment after graduation, we are committed to helping students prepare for the job search with professional support and career guidance.
Students receive assistance with resume development, interview preparation, and professional etiquette while gaining valuable exposure to the daily workflow of a real dental team. Together, these experiences help prepare graduates for entry-level opportunities in the dental field.
FIND US IN LITTLE ROCK
Visit Avid Dental Academy
13600 David O Dodd Rd, Little Rock, AR 72210
Avid Dental Academy is conveniently located in Little Rock and shares its location with Arkansas Family Dental. Located in the heart of Central Arkansas, we’re proud to serve students from across the region.
Helpful Information
Resources for Future Dental Assistants
Whether you’re exploring dental assisting for the first time or continuing your education, you’ll find articles, educational resources, and helpful information covering a wide range of dental assisting topics.
What to Expect During Your 13 Weeks
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Understanding Tuition & Payment Plans
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What Does a Dental Assistant Do?
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YOUR FUTURE BEGINS HERE
Start Your Dental Assistant Career at Avid Dental Academy
There’s never been a better time to begin a career in dental assisting. Whether you’re starting your career, changing directions, or looking for a faster path into healthcare, Avid Dental Academy can help you take the next step toward a future in dentistry.