Free Training — Texas

Dental Assistant Training in Texas

Launch your dental career with free online training. Texas dental assistants earn $44,830+ annually. Study at your pace, pay only when you're ready to certify.

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Texas Quick Facts

Average Salary

$44,830/year

Job Growth

6 (2024-2034)

Dental Practices

15,500+

Population 65+

13.5

Training Cost

FREE

Why Become a Dental Assistant in Texas?

Lone Star State offers excellent opportunities for dental assistants with 15,500+ dental practices and a population where 13.5 are over 65.

Competitive Pay

Texas dental assistants earn $44,830 annually on average, with experienced DAs earning $48,000 - $55,000.

Growing Demand

6 projected job growth through 2034 as dental care demand increases across Texas.

Quick Start

Complete training in 4-8 weeks online. No prior experience needed. Start your dental career fast.

Texas Dental Assistant Requirements

Registration Requirements

Texas requires dental assistants to register with the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. Texas offers Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) credentials for expanded clinical functions through additional training and examination.

X-Ray Certification

Texas requires dental assistants to complete a TSBDE-approved radiography course and pass the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam or Texas state exam. Separate dental radiography registration is required and must be renewed with continuing education.

Dental Assistant Salaries in Texas

Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level (0-1 yr) $36,000 - $41,000
Mid-Level (2-4 yrs) $41,500 - $47,500
Senior (5+ yrs) $48,000 - $55,000
Certified/EFDA $50,000 - $57,500

Salary by Region

Houston Metro $43,000 - $51,000

Largest market, UT Houston dental school

Dallas-Fort Worth Metro $44,000 - $52,000

Second largest, Texas A&M dental school

Austin Metro $44,000 - $52,000

Fast-growing, tech economy

San Antonio Metro $41,000 - $48,000

UT San Antonio dental school

El Paso $38,000 - $44,000

Border region, bilingual advantage

Rio Grande Valley $36,000 - $42,000

Border region, underserved area

Top Dental Employers in Texas

Texas offers diverse dental employment opportunities from DSO networks to academic institutions.

University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston

Academic

Employees: 400+

Facilities: 1 dental school

Location: 7500 Cambridge St, Houston, TX 77054

Texas's largest dental school in Houston's medical center.

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Texas A&M College of Dentistry

Academic

Employees: 300+

Facilities: 1 dental school

Location: 3302 Gaston Ave, Dallas, TX 75246

Dallas dental school with comprehensive clinical programs.

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UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry

Academic

Employees: 250+

Facilities: 1 dental school

Location: 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229

San Antonio dental school serving South Texas.

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Aspen Dental

DSO Network

Employees: 2,000+

Facilities: 100+ locations

Location: Multiple TX locations

National DSO with massive Texas presence.

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Heartland Dental

DSO Network

Employees: 1,500+

Facilities: 75+ locations

Location: Multiple TX locations

Doctor-led DSO with extensive Texas footprint.

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Pacific Dental Services

DSO Network

Employees: 800+

Facilities: 40+ locations

Location: Major TX metros

DSO with significant Texas market presence.

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Communicare Health Centers

FQHC

Employees: 200+

Facilities: 10 locations

Location: San Antonio area

Community health center serving San Antonio's diverse communities.

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Private Practice Network

Various

Employees: 22,000+

Facilities: 13,000+ practices

Location: Statewide

Massive private practice market across Texas's diverse regions.

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Texas Dental Assistant Success Stories

MG

Maria G.

Houston • UT Houston Dental

"Working at Texas's largest dental school in the medical center is incredible. Diverse patients and procedures!"

2024-11

DT

David T.

Dallas • Texas A&M Dental

"Dallas dental school offers excellent experience. No state income tax means more in my pocket!"

2024-10

JR

Jennifer R.

Austin • Private Practice

"Austin's tech growth creates excellent opportunities. Unique city with great culture!"

2024-09

Frequently Asked Questions

Texas dental assistants earn an average of $44,830 annually ($21.55/hour). Entry-level positions start at $36,000-$41,000, while experienced DAs earn $48,000-$55,000. Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin pay highest at $44,000-$52,000. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024.

Yes, Texas requires dental assistants to register with TSBDE. Registration requires completion of an approved program or DANB certification. RDA credentials require additional training and state examination for expanded functions. Separate radiography registration is required.

EHired's free online program can be completed in 4-8 weeks at your own pace. Texas registration requires proof of training plus radiography certification. The complete process typically takes 2-3 months from enrollment to employment.

Excellent outlook with 6% projected growth through 2034. Texas is America's second-largest state with 30 million population, 15,500+ dental practices, and three dental schools. Rapid population growth drives sustained dental service expansion.

Yes! EHired's training is completely free. You pay for Texas registration fees, radiography certification, and any optional RDA certification when ready. Texas has no state income tax, maximizing take-home pay.

Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin lead with $44,000-$52,000 driven by economic growth and tech industry. Houston offers $43,000-$51,000 in Texas's largest metro. Texas has no state income tax, effectively boosting compensation statewide.

Texas offers: (1) No state income tax boosting take-home pay, (2) Three dental schools (UT Houston, Texas A&M, UT San Antonio), (3) Massive job market with 15,500+ practices, (4) Rapid population growth creating opportunities, (5) Diverse regions from metros to border communities.

Yes! The Rio Grande Valley (McAllen, Brownsville, Harlingen) faces dental provider shortages. Spanish language skills are highly valued. Community health centers serve underserved border populations with potential loan repayment benefits. Lower wages offset by very low cost of living.

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Texas Dental Assistant Market Overview

Texas's dental workforce serves approximately 30 million residents through an estimated 15,500+ dental practices—the second-largest dental market in the United States. Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin metros dominate employment.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports Texas employed approximately 43,000 dental assistants in May 2024, earning a median annual wage of $44,830. Texas's lack of state income tax effectively increases net compensation despite wages near the national median.

Texas hosts three dental schools—UT Houston (state's largest), Texas A&M in Dallas, and UT Health San Antonio. This concentration creates extensive academic employment opportunities and trains a significant portion of Texas's dental workforce.

Texas ranks as America's fastest-growing large state, with metros like Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston adding millions of residents. This population growth drives sustained dental practice expansion and employment demand.

Texas's border regions (El Paso, Rio Grande Valley) serve significant Spanish-speaking populations. Bilingual dental assistants find enhanced employment opportunities in these areas, where community health centers address dental health disparities.

Major DSOs including Aspen Dental, Heartland Dental, and Pacific Dental Services operate extensively throughout Texas. The state's large market and business-friendly environment attract dental support organization expansion.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023; BLS OEWS May 2024; ADA Health Policy Institute; DANB.