Dental Assisting

The Associate of Applied Science in Dental Assisting prepares students for dynamic and rewarding careers as integral members of the dental healthcare team. This comprehensive program combines foundational dental assisting education with advanced training in Expanded Function Dental Assisting (EFDA), equipping graduates with both the clinical and expanded skills required in today’s dental practices.

Students engage in curriculum that integrates classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory training, and supervised externship experiences. Through this combination, students develop clinical proficiency, professional confidence, and a deep understanding of patient-centered care across a variety of dental settings.

Graduates of the program will be qualified to sit for relevant credentialing examinations and to perform expanded functions as permitted by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry, enhancing their employability and scope of practice in general and specialty dental offices.

Program learning objectives.

• Apply current principles of dental infection control, aseptic techniques, and hazard communication protocols in compliance with established safety guidelines and regulatory standards.
• Demonstrate clinical proficiency in chairside dental assisting and laboratory procedures across diverse dental settings.
• Exhibit professionalism through effective verbal and nonverbal communication, fostering positive relationships with patients, colleagues, and members of the dental healthcare team.
• Perform expanded functions permitted by the Pennsylvania State Board of Dentistry, including coronal polishing, fluoride application, impression taking, fabrication of provisional restorations, placement/removal of rubber dams and matrix bands, and placement/finishing of amalgam and composite restorations.
• Adhere to legal and ethical standards in all aspects of dental assisting practice, demonstrating accountability, integrity, and respect for patient rights and confidentiality.

To be considered for admission into a degree or professional certificate program, students must be a high school graduate or have received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), Pennsylvania Home School Diploma or other recognized equivalency diploma. High School Students applying with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher may be considered for regular admission. Students applying with a GPA below a 2.0 in high school or from another college or university, if accepted, will be admitted conditionally. Please submit an application for admission and a copy of high school and/or college transcript(s). Some applicants may be required to attend a personal interview with the Admissions Office.

An admission essay may be deemed optional for all applicants whose GPA meets or exceeds the minimum for acceptance into the desired program. For certificates and degrees in the Schools of Humanities and Business, the minimum GPA for acceptance is 2.0. For most Health Sciences certificates and degrees, unless otherwise specified, the minimum GPA is 2.2.

Admissions Requirements.

• High School Diploma with a minimum GPA of a 2.5 or an equivalent GED.
• Required to submit two reference forms.
• Admissions Essay

Requirements Upon Admission Acceptance.

Students should be advised that, upon admission to the Dental Assistant program, a personal and professional criminal background investigation will be required. This includes child abuse clearance, PA State Police PATCH report, and FBI fingerprinting. Students are also required to present proof of vaccinations, liability insurance and CPR for the health care professional. Students will be responsible for paying additional costs associated with these clearances immunizations, liability insurance and CPR. Students are responsible for transportation to lab/clinical sites.

Courses are offered at a variety of times Monday through Friday. Online classes are also available. Typical courses run for an 11-week term. The College operates on a year-round schedule of quarterly, 11-week terms enabling students to complete their degrees faster, if they choose to go full-time each term.

This program has Winter and Summer starts. Upcoming start dates: January 11, 2027, July 12, 2027, January 10, 2028.

Tuition and fees. Undergraduate tuition is $525 per credit for all majors. A Student/Technology Fee of $510 per term (5 or more credits) or $315 (4 or fewer credits) is required. A one-time $150 graduation fee applies.

Program fees. Dental Assisting program lab fee, per term $250; Dental Assisting program supplies (one time) $350.

Certification and other costs not covered by tuition. Liability insurance approximately $55 (one time), plus any fees associated with vaccines and clearances.

Books and other expenses. Variable expenses per term (estimates): textbooks $350–$450; course material fees approximately $50–$150 per course; personal $150–$250; transportation $150–$300. Uniforms (where required) are estimated at $100–$150.

Housing and meals. Campus housing per term: individual private bedroom $2,205, standard apartment bedroom $1,505, super suite bedroom $1,595, utilities $330. Meal plans per term range from $550 (Block 75) to $1,125 (14 Meal Plan); a $250 housing security deposit is required.

Financial aid. Central Penn College processes grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study through federal, state, private, and institutional sources to help eligible students meet some of those costs, including the Federal Pell Grant, PA State Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Work-Study and Federal Direct Stafford Loans. To apply for all federal and state financial aid programs, students must complete the FAFSA; Central Penn’s Federal School Code for FAFSA is 004890. To receive financial aid a student must be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program and be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (4 credits).

Payment options. Tuition and expenses are paid each term approximately three weeks before the term starts. Central Penn has a short-term three-month payment plan through CASHNet that divides the balance of the tuition owed by three payments; there is a $35 non-refundable application fee paid with the first payment. An Employer Reimbursement Tuition Agreement Plan lets students who receive tuition reimbursement from their employer defer payment until the specified dates.

Military benefits. Military benefits accepted include the Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veterans Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33) and Yellow Ribbon Program, Dependents’ Education Assistance (Chapter 35) and Tuition Assistance.

Net price calculator. Use Central Penn’s Net Price Calculator at https://npc.collegeboard.org/app/centralpenn for an early estimate of your total annual cost.

Careers you can pursue. Dental Assistant, Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA), Orthodontic Assistant, Oral Surgery Assistant, Pediatric Dental Assistant, Dental Office Coordinator, Dental Practice Support Specialist.

College-wide outcome. 89.2% of Central Penn graduates were employed in their chosen field or continuing their education within one year of graduation (graduates July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025; One-Year Graduate Follow-up Report published July 1, 2026).