Dental Assistant Certificate

If you would like to be part of a dental health care team, working as a strong unit, you can help dentists and their patients prevent pain, tooth loss, gum disease and other serious dental issues. It is also a perfect way to start or hit “refresh” on a career with great earning potential and many opportunities for advancement.  

By taking just six courses over three terms and 9 months, you can enter this high-demand field.  Work as a dental assistant in a clean, quiet health care environment, performing chairside and related dental office and lab procedures. As a friendly face and a steady hand, you will greet patients and help with

• Scheduling appointments.
• Handling billing and payments.
• Managing and maintaining patient records.
• Sterilizing instruments.
• Preparing patients and the dentist’s work area.
• Assisting dentists during procedures when needed.
• Using the suction hose during procedures.
• Processing x-rays.

Your targeted training will include some of the most practical, relevant and up-to-date education available in the midstate. In addition to the classroom, you will perform a minimum of 80 hours per term in a clinical externship.

Working to make your Dental Assistant Certificate more affordable!

Students accepted into Central Penn College’s dental programs can apply to be part of a paid co-op program that offers part-time employment opportunities with our local dental partners. Students can earn up to $300 a week while completing their course work. 

Dental program students can also apply for Central Penn College’s innovative housing scholarship. This allows students to affordably live on campus while completing their studies. 

Program offered

Hybrid (Evening/Saturday labs)

Courses

Careers you can pursue

• Dental Assistant

You will succeed if you are...

• Friendly 
• Detail-oriented
• Meticulous
• Organized
• Good at working with your hands  
• Patient
• Compassionate