From Gilmer to the classroom
TX-300 south out of Gilmer turns into Gilmer Rd, and our campus is right on it — about 22 miles, roughly a 30-minute drive with no interstate required. It's one road, door to door. Evening options mean Upshur County students can work a full day and still make class.
Our one and only campus: 2800 Gilmer Rd, Suite 106, Longview, TX 75604 — about 22 miles from Gilmer via TX-300 (Gilmer Rd). Distances and drive times are approximate; check your own route.
What you'll learn
Both paths cover the core skills a dental office actually needs from day one:
- ✓ 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.
You can get a feel for the work right now, for free. Try our Skills Lab and the Practice Pro charting trainer — the same kinds of tools you'll use on the job.
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.
Gilmer-area FAQs
How long is the drive from Gilmer?
About 22 miles straight down TX-300/Gilmer Rd — roughly 30 minutes, one road the whole way. Our campus is at 2800 Gilmer Rd, Suite 106, on the northwest side of Longview, the Gilmer side of town.
I work days in Gilmer — can I still train?
Yes. Evening options exist for exactly this. And the 100% online program ($397, self-paced) covers the same curriculum if the drive or schedule doesn't work — several Upshur County students go that route.
Is WIOA funding available for Upshur County residents?
Depending on your situation you may qualify for WIOA workforce funding through your local Workforce Solutions office — we can't promise eligibility, but we're glad to point you in the right direction before you spend a dime.
Where would I work after graduating?
Gilmer has dental offices of its own, and Longview's larger market is a commutable 30 minutes away — so you'd have both small-town and city offices in range. Our salary page shows typical East Texas assistant pay.
