Chicago Dental Assistant School to open Aurora campus this spring

By AI, Created 10:43 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Chicago Dental Assistant School will launch a 12-week dental assistant program in North Aurora on May 16, 2026, expanding hands-on training in the Fox Valley. The hybrid course pairs online lessons with in-person clinical work at North Aurora Smiles and leads to a certificate of completion and BLS certification.

Why it matters: - The Aurora campus adds a faster entry point into dental jobs for students who want practical training without a long degree program. - The program is built to supply entry-level workers to general and specialty dental practices across the Chicago metro area. - The school’s hands-on model may appeal to students looking for a lower-cost, workforce-focused path into healthcare.

What happened: - Chicago Dental Assistant School will open its Aurora campus this spring at 601 Randall Crossing Lane in North Aurora. - The spring cohort begins May 16, 2026, and enrollment is now open. - The school is offering a 12-week dental assistant program built around hands-on instruction and real-world clinical experience. - The campus will operate inside North Aurora Smiles, a family and cosmetic dentistry practice led by Dr. Hammad Aziz and Dr. Stephanie Janes.

The details: - Students will complete flexible online coursework along with in-person Saturday instruction. - Training will take place in an active dental practice, giving students exposure to chairside assisting, sterilization protocols, patient preparation and digital workflows. - Graduates will receive a Certificate of Completion and Basic Life Support certification through the American Heart Association. - The program is designed to prepare students to operate dental x-ray equipment. - Chicago Dental Assistant School is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. - The Aurora campus is part of Zollege, which operates more than 140 medical and dental assistant campuses nationwide.

Between the lines: - The launch reflects continued demand for short-term, job-focused training in healthcare fields. - The partnership with an active dental practice gives the program a clinical setting that traditional classroom models often lack. - Zollege is leaning on local practice partnerships to scale training while keeping instruction tied to day-to-day office operations.

What’s next: - The first Aurora students will start classes May 16, 2026. - Graduates are expected to move into entry-level roles in dental offices across the region after finishing the 12-week program. - Chicago Dental Assistant School will continue recruiting for the spring cohort until the class fills.

The bottom line: - Chicago Dental Assistant School is betting that short, clinical, workforce-ready training can meet both student demand and local staffing needs in the Fox Valley.