Dental Colleges in Atlanta, Georgia: Schools, Clinics, and How They Work for You

If you’re interested in dental education in Atlanta, Georgia—whether you want to become a dentist, are exploring dental hygiene, or simply want low-cost care from a teaching clinic—Atlanta has a few key institutions and related options you should know.

This guide walks through:

• The main dental college in Atlanta
• Nearby programs that serve Atlanta residents
• Affordable dental clinics linked to training programs
• How to choose the right path if you want a career in dentistry or dental hygiene
• Practical details like locations, admissions basics, and what to expect

The Main Dental College Serving Atlanta: Augusta University (Atlanta Presence)

Atlanta does not have multiple stand‑alone, fully independent dental schools within the city limits. The primary dental school that educates most dentists practicing in Georgia is:

The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University

• Main campus: Augusta, GA
• Approx. 2–2.5 hours east of downtown Atlanta by car

While the main dental college campus is in Augusta, it plays a major role in dental care and dental education for the Atlanta region through:

• Clinical rotations and externships in Metro Atlanta
• Alumni and residency programs based in Atlanta-area hospitals and clinics
• Strong ties to Atlanta’s large healthcare network

For someone in Atlanta, this means:

• If you want to become a dentist, you’ll likely apply to The Dental College of Georgia for your DMD degree.
• During training, you may have opportunities to rotate through Atlanta clinics and hospitals.
• Many dentists practicing in and around Atlanta were trained there, shaping the local standard of care.

Dental Hygiene & Related Programs in the Atlanta Area

If your goal is not to become a dentist but to work in oral health, Atlanta offers multiple dental hygiene and assisting programs. These are not dental “colleges” in the sense of full dental schools, but they are critical for Atlanta’s oral health workforce.

Below is a simplified snapshot of key Atlanta‑area programs (not exhaustive, but useful for orientation):

*Specific institutions and details can change; contacting schools directly is recommended for the most up‑to‑date information.

For Atlanta residents, these programs can be a shorter, more affordable path into the dental field compared with a full dental degree.

What Dental Hygiene Programs Typically Offer

Most dental hygiene programs in the Atlanta area include:

• Classroom courses in anatomy, periodontology, radiography, and dental materials
• Hands-on clinical practice in student dental clinics
• Preparation to sit for licensing examinations required in Georgia
• Training that qualifies you to work in general and specialty dental practices, public health settings, and some hospital environments

Dental Assisting Programs in Atlanta

Dental assisting programs are often shorter (sometimes 9–18 months) and focus on:

• Chairside assisting for the dentist
• Sterilization and infection control
• Taking X‑rays under supervision
• Office and front‑desk procedures

These programs can be ideal if you:

• Want to join the Atlanta dental workforce quickly
• Plan to work first and consider further education later

Teaching Clinics and Low‑Cost Dental Care in Atlanta

Even though Atlanta doesn’t have multiple full dental schools, the city does benefit from student‑run or teaching clinics and training sites that work with dentists, hygienists, and assistants.

These clinics are often:

• Lower cost than private practice, because services are provided by students under supervision
• Used as training sites for dental hygiene, assisting, and residency programs
• Focused on basic to moderate‑complexity care, such as exams, cleanings, fillings, simple extractions, and preventive services

Common features of Atlanta‑area teaching or training clinics include:

• Longer appointment times than private practices, because students are learning step‑by‑step
• Screening or waiting lists, since not every case is suitable for student treatment
• Fees often based on reduced, flat, or sliding‑scale rates

If you live in Atlanta and need more affordable dental care, checking with:

• Local community colleges or technical colleges that have dental or hygiene programs
• Larger community health centers in Metro Atlanta that host residents or dental trainees
  can be a practical starting point.

How to Become a Dentist in Atlanta: Step‑by‑Step Overview

If your goal is to earn a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) and eventually practice in Atlanta, your path will usually look something like this:

1. Complete a Bachelor’s Degree (Often in or Near Atlanta)

You can study at any accredited university, but many future dentists:

• Attend colleges in Atlanta or within Georgia for pre‑dental coursework (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.).
• Work or volunteer in Atlanta dental offices or clinics to gain experience.

2. Take the Dental Admission Test (DAT)

The DAT is a standardized test required by most dental schools in the U.S., including The Dental College of Georgia.

Atlanta residents typically:

• Use local testing centers in the Metro Atlanta area
• Prepare through self-study, prep courses, or university resources

3. Apply to Dental School (Most Commonly in Georgia)

From Atlanta, the nearest and most common option is:

• The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University (DMD program)

Some applicants also apply to dental schools in other states but later return to Atlanta to practice.

4. Complete Four Years of Dental School

Dental school includes:

• Preclinical training (first 1–2 years in labs and simulation clinics)
• Clinical care of patients (later years under faculty supervision)
• Opportunities for rotations in larger cities, including Atlanta‑area clinics and hospitals

5. License and Practice in Georgia

To practice dentistry in Atlanta, you will need to:

• Graduate from an accredited dental school
• Pass required national and state/regional examinations
• Obtain your Georgia dental license through the relevant state licensing board

At that point, you can seek positions in:

• Private practices in Atlanta and surrounding suburbs
• Group practices and dental service organizations
• Public health clinics and community health centers
• Hospital‑based or specialty practices

Career Paths Related to Dental Colleges in Atlanta

Even if Atlanta does not host numerous stand‑alone dental colleges, it is a major dental hub. Once trained, many oral-health professionals choose to work in the city because of its:

• Large, diverse patient population
• Mix of private practice, public health, and hospital‑based opportunities
• Access to continuing education programs, conferences, and professional events

Common dental careers in the Atlanta area include:

• General dentist – Provides broad, everyday dental care
• Dental hygienist – Focuses on cleanings, preventive care, and patient education
• Dental assistant – Supports dentists chairside and helps manage clinical operations
• Dental specialists (after additional residency) – Such as orthodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, and pediatric dentists

For anyone studying in Augusta or another state, Atlanta is often viewed as a prime location to practice after graduation.

Tips for Choosing the Right Dental Education Path in or Around Atlanta

If you’re based in Atlanta and exploring dental colleges or related programs, consider:

1. Your ultimate goal

• Want to be a dentist? You’re aiming for a DMD at a dental school such as The Dental College of Georgia.
• Prefer a shorter path into the field? Look at dental hygiene or assisting programs in or near Atlanta.

2. Time and financial investment

• Dental school is typically four years after a bachelor’s degree, plus any specialty training.
• Dental hygiene programs are usually 2–3 years, and assisting programs can be shorter.

3. Where you want to live and work

• Many Georgia‑trained dentists choose to practice in Metro Atlanta, thanks to its large population and diverse opportunities.
• If you plan to stay in Atlanta long term, look for programs and training sites that offer rotations or connections in the city, so you can build local experience and professional networks.

4. Access to patient care experience

• Teaching clinics and externships in Atlanta give you real‑world experience with local patients.
• When comparing programs, ask about clinical hours, externship sites in Metro Atlanta, and types of procedures students typically perform.

How Atlanta Residents Can Get Started

If you live in Atlanta and are interested in dental colleges or oral‑health careers, practical next steps include:

• Contacting The Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University’s admissions office for DMD program requirements, timelines, and prerequisites.
• Reaching out to Atlanta‑area community or technical colleges that offer dental hygiene or assisting programs to learn about:
  • Application deadlines
  • Required high school or college coursework
  • Costs and financial aid options
• Asking local Atlanta dentists or hygienists about their training paths and how they ended up practicing in the city.
• Exploring Atlanta-area clinics that host students or residents if you need more affordable care while you learn about the field.

By understanding how dental education and training are structured in Georgia—and how closely tied they are to the Atlanta region—you can choose the option that fits your goals, budget, and timeline, whether you want to study dentistry, work in dental hygiene or assisting, or simply know where teaching‑based care is available in and around Atlanta.