TeamSmile Shows the Power of Dental Assisting Education at Central Penn College

When FNB Field in Harrisburg opened its gates for TeamSmile’s free dental day for children, the baseball diamond became something even more meaningful: a place where smiles were restored, families received needed care, and volunteers came together to make a difference.

Central Penn College was proud to be part of that effort.

Dental faculty, Dental Assisting students, Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) students, and members of the Central Penn College Knights baseball team recently volunteered at the TeamSmile free dental clinic for children, joining Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, the Harrisburg Senators, Verber Dental Group, United Concordia Dental, and more than 100 volunteers for a day focused on improving access to care for underserved children in Central Pennsylvania.

It was a day filled with purpose and joy.

Children received free dental care, including preventative and restorative services such as cleanings, fillings, and extractions. After treatment, the event turned into a celebration, complete with music, face painting, and fun activities that reminded every child that a trip to the dentist can also bring smiles.

For Central Penn College students, it was more than volunteering. It was hands-on learning in action.

Why Access to Dental Care Matters in Central Pennsylvania

Dental care shortages remain a serious issue across Pennsylvania, especially in underserved and rural communities.

For many families, regular dental care can be difficult to access because of cost, transportation challenges, provider shortages, or competing household priorities. TeamSmile events help bridge that gap by delivering free care directly to children who need it most.

That is why Dental Assistants and Expanded Function Dental Assistants are so important.

Dental Assistants help dental offices run efficiently, support patient care, and improve access by allowing practices to serve more patients. Expanded Function Dental Assistants, who receive advanced training, can perform additional clinical duties that help dentists provide care faster and more efficiently.

In communities facing provider shortages, these professionals are essential.

Central Penn College Is Training the Next Generation of Dental Assistants

At Central Penn College, students do not just learn Dental Assisting in the classroom. They gain real-world, hands-on experience that prepares them to enter the workforce with confidence.

Events like TeamSmile are one example of the unique learning opportunities available to students in Central Penn College’s Dental Assisting and EFDA programs. By volunteering alongside experienced dental professionals in a real clinical environment, students gain practical skills while seeing firsthand how their future careers can make a meaningful impact.

That kind of applied learning is a hallmark of Central Penn College’s Dental Assisting education.

Students train in hands-on settings, work closely with experienced faculty, and develop the clinical and patient care skills employers are looking for. Opportunities like TeamSmile help reinforce what students learn in class while building confidence in real-world dental environments.

Even the Central Penn College Knights baseball team pitched in, volunteering throughout the day to support the event and help create a fun, welcoming experience for local children and families. Their involvement reflected Central Penn College’s culture of service and community engagement.

Start Your Dental Assistant Career in as Little as 9 Months

For students looking to begin a rewarding healthcare career quickly, Central Penn College offers a Dental Assisting program that can be completed in as little as 9 months.

This career-focused program is designed to prepare students for in-demand Dental Assistant roles with the hands-on training, clinical experience, and faculty support needed to succeed.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify, and Central Penn College also offers full and partial scholarships to help make Dental Assisting education more affordable.

With a simple application process, students may qualify for scholarship support that can help reduce the cost of training for this high-demand healthcare career.

A Career That Makes a Difference

Dental Assisting is more than a job. It is a career that helps improve lives.

From free community clinics like TeamSmile to dental practices serving patients every day across Central Pennsylvania, Dental Assistants play a vital role in helping people access the care they need.

At Central Penn College, students are preparing to become part of that solution.

Through hands-on Dental Assisting education, real-world opportunities, and career-focused training, Central Penn College is helping train the next generation of Dental Assistants and Expanded Function Dental Assistants who will help address workforce shortages and improve access to care across our region.

For students ready to enter a meaningful healthcare career in as little as 9 months, Central Penn College is helping turn compassion into a profession and smiles into a future.

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If you would like to speak directly to someone from our Admissions Department about the benefits of a Central Penn College education, feel free to call us at (800) 759-2727.