From Overton to the classroom
Take TX-135 north through Kilgore and on into Longview — about 22 miles, roughly 30 minutes. Kilgore students make a shorter version of the same drive every week. Evening options mean an Overton day job and chairside training can coexist.
Our one and only campus: 2800 Gilmer Rd, Suite 106, Longview, TX 75604 — about 22 miles from Overton via TX-135 North. 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.
Overton-area FAQs
How far is the campus from Overton?
About 22 miles — roughly a 30-minute drive up TX-135 through Kilgore to our Longview campus at 2800 Gilmer Rd, Suite 106. Evening options are available so the drive happens outside work hours.
Can I train online instead?
Yes — the online program is $397, self-paced, 100% from home, with the same curriculum as in-person. Several Rusk County students choose it and save the windshield time.
How fast could I be working in a dental office?
The program is measured in months, not years — online is self-paced, and in-person runs on a scheduled cohort. Either way you're looking at a real career change on a short timeline, not a two-year degree.
What does it cost?
In-person: $3,000 paid in full, or $500 down on a $3,500 payment plan with weekly or monthly payments. Online: $397. WIOA workforce funding may be an option depending on your situation.
