Career · Choosing a program
10 questions to ask before enrolling in any dental assistant school
Choosing a school is a real decision with real money attached. The good news: you can tell a lot in one phone call if you ask the right things. Here are the ten questions we'd want our own daughter to ask — including us — with straight answers for Premier Dental Academy so you can see how a transparent one sounds.
Money: what will this really cost?
1. What's the total cost, itemized? Not just tuition — course, exam and registration, BLS, radiography. A good school breaks it down without flinching. Ours: In-Person is $3,000 ($3,500 on a plan with $500 down); Online is $397 on sale (regularly $997). State exam and registration fees are set by the board — we point you to the official source rather than guess. See the full breakdown in what the Texas RDA exam costs.
2. What funding do you accept, and how do I apply? Ours: WIOA through Workforce Solutions East Texas, GI Bill for eligible veterans, and Texas Workforce programs — you apply through those agencies and we help with the paperwork. Start with the free funding finder.
A school that won't put the whole number in writing before you commit is asking you to sign blind. You deserve the full figure up front.
Time & format: does it fit your life?
3. Can I see the schedule and exact class hours before I enroll? Ours: classes run in the daytime over about 12 weeks; because the exact hours can shift by cohort, we tell you the real ones when you call — (903) 913-6444 — and post start dates on the calendar (next: August 17 and August 25).
4. How long is the program, and is there an option if weekdays don't work? Ours: ~12 weeks in person, or a self-paced online track if your schedule is immovable.
5. How many students per class, and how much hands-on time will I actually get? Ours: classes are capped at eight so you're doing, not just watching.
Who teaches you — and what happens when it gets hard
6. Who will I actually learn from, and how do I get help when I'm stuck? This is a fair question to ask anyone, us included. Ours: classes are small and owner Amanda Williams is directly reachable — you get structured lessons, hands-on sessions, office hours, and a student group chat, so a question never sits for days. Ask any school exactly how support works day to day; "you'll figure it out" is not an answer.
7. What happens if I fall behind — or don't pass the exam the first time? Ours: we help you regroup and plan the retake; here's our honest take on failing the RDA exam. A school that pretends nobody ever struggles isn't being straight with you.
If you can't find out who runs the program or how you'll get help, that tells you what support will feel like after they have your money.
Proof: can they show, not just tell?
8. Is the training genuinely hands-on, with real tools and software? Ours: yes — you practice on real clinical software and trainers, including an anatomical tooth chart, a six-point perio chart, and a full charting environment in our Skills Lab.
9. Can I visit, meet someone, and see the space before I pay? Ours: absolutely — book a campus tour and see what a visit looks like first. A school that won't let you in the door before you pay is telling you something.
10. What's your refund and transfer policy, in writing? Ours: the Online ($397) is non-refundable but transfers in full as credit toward In-Person if it's not the right fit; In-Person follows Texas proprietary-school refund rules. Get every school's policy in writing before you sign.
Your 10-question script (tap as you ask)
Take this into every call. Tap each question once you've gotten a clear answer — and notice which schools make the bar easy to fill.
Ask us all ten. We'll answer every one.
Come see the campus, meet us, and get straight numbers before you decide. Applying is free.
Apply now →Keep reading: What a campus tour looks like · Best programs in East Texas · Accredited, licensed, or registered?