Dental assistants work alongside dentists during treatment, prepare equipment and often help with office duties. Dental assistants should not be confused with dental hygienists, who must have a degree from an accredited school and be licensed by the state. While dental assistants are not required to be certified, only certified assistants are able to perform certain tasks such as radiography and coronal polishing. In order to become certified, students must have completed an accredited program or have two years of experience, and take the Dental Assisting National Board Examination.
All accredited programs in dental assisting offer instruction in biomedical and dental sciences, as well as clinical sciences and practice. After completing the program, students will be proficient in infection/hazard control, preventative dentistry, clinical procedures, dental materials and radiology.
Located in Jamestown, just outside of High Point, Guilford Technical Community College (GTCC) is one of the two ADA accredited schools in the Triad. The program is three semesters for full-time students and two years for part-time students. In-state tuition is $2,100 plus fees.
Guilford Technical Community College
601 High Point Road
P.O. Box 309
Jamestown, NC 27282
336-334-4822
gtcc.edu
Forsyth Tech, located in Winston-Salem, also offers an accredited program in dental assisting. The program is limited to 20 students and coursework is completed over three semesters. The average in-state tuition is $1700 plus fees.
Forsyth Technical Community College
2100 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27103-5197
336-734-7447
forsythtech.edu
The Sunrise School of Dental Assisting is located in Winston-Salem. This 13-week program is not currently accredited by the ADA, but was founded by several local dentists.
Sunrise School of Dental Assisting
2041 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
877-871-6002
sunriseschoolofdentalassisting.com