The Perfect Time to Join Dental Assisting at Central Penn College

If you’ve been thinking about starting a meaningful, hands-on career in healthcare, there has never been a better time to take the leap. Central Penn College’s Dental Assisting Certificate Program is now enrolling for the Winter term, with classes beginning January 5. In just nine months, you could be stepping into one of the most in-demand roles in the dental field.

Real Skills. Real Experience. Real Confidence.

Central Penn’s program builds Dental Assisting skills step-by-step through interactive coursework, simulated labs, and real-world clinical training.

Program Director Ann Hoffman—an experienced dental assistant–turned–dental hygienist—leads students with passion, encouragement, and an emphasis on work-life balance. She knows firsthand how this career can open doors, provide stability, and spark long-term growth in the dental profession.

Hands-On Learning That Starts Early

One highlight of Central Penn’s program is the immersive clinical lab experience. Students meet at a local dental office after hours—learning on actual equipment, gaining comfort in a real operatory, and practicing patient interaction from the moment they’re ready.

By their third term, students are performing tasks that mirror what they’ll do after graduation. This early patient exposure helps them enter the workforce feeling prepared, capable, and excited for the career ahead.

Small Classes. Big Potential.

Dental Assisting students consistently praise the supportive, close-knit environment at Central Penn College. With small class sizes and individualized instruction, every student gets the attention they need to succeed.

Here’s what recent students shared about their journey:

Emilyn Schwartz chose Central Penn because she wanted to enter the field quickly. She was surprised—and inspired—by how much depth there is to the profession.

Isa Cortez-Pabon loves the hands-on labs and the sense of community in the classroom.

Alexis Root discovered that switching to Central Penn’s program gave her the clarity and confidence she needed to pursue dental hygiene in the future.

Cama Enders found a unique artistic joy in the work, saying dental assisting feels like “art in a practical way.”

Each student’s story is different—but all found the same thing at Central Penn: direction, support, and a clear pathway forward.

Start Your Career in 2025—Apply Today

Dental assisting is an in-demand field with strong employment opportunities, competitive pay, and pathways to continue growing into dental hygiene, expanded functions assisting, office management, and more.

If you’re ready for a career that blends healthcare, patient care, and professional creativity, now is the perfect time to get started.

Classes begin January 5 for the Winter term.
In just nine months, you could be working in the field.
Apply today and take your first step toward a fulfilling future.

Start your application at Apply.CentralPenn.edu.

This blog post was adapted from the original article, “Students find joy and a clear future in Central Penn’s dental program,” written by Jules A. Quare and published on November 12, 2025 in the Knightly News. Read the full article by clicking here.