Dental Assisting is a Diploma program offered by Fortis College in Smyrna, GA. The program takes 48 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $21,132.
Program Overview
The Dental Assistant's role is critical to the delivery of quality dental health care. Advanced technologies and the increasing demand for dental services have resulted in dramatic growth in the industry. The objective of the Dental Assisting program is to provide quality career education that prepares students not only for entry-level employment in the dental assisting field but also for life-long learning and personal and professional growth.
Dental assistants perform a variety of patient care, office, and laboratory duties. They sterilize and disinfect instruments and equipment, prepare and lay out the instruments and materials required to treat each patient, and obtain and update patients' dental records. During dental procedures, assistants work alongside the dentist to provide assistance. The curriculum provides a foundation in the health sciences and hands-on training in the technology used to perform the tasks typically handled by a Dental Assistant.
What sets this Program apart
- Earn a Dental Assisting diploma in 48 weeks.
- Hands-on training plus a required externship in a dental office before graduation.
- Prepares graduates to sit for the DANB Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE) exams.
- Accredited by ABHES.
General Requirements
- A high school diploma or its recognised equivalent, with documentation. Foreign credentials must be translated into English and evaluated as equivalent or higher by a NACES-member service.
- You must be at least 17 years old when your program of study starts.
- Complete an applicant information form and interview with an admissions advisor or other administrative staff.
- Achieve the minimum score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE). For Dental Assisting at this campus the published minimum is 11. A passing score is valid for three years.
- Meet all financial obligations and complete the tuition payment requirements.
- Sign the Fortis enrollment agreement once accepted.
School Information
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited program means your education has met independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
Fortis College in Smyrna holds institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Graduates take the DANB Infection Control (ICE) and Radiation Health & Safety (RHS) exams.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Independently reviewed against published standards
- Recognised by employers in the field
Accreditations
Application Process
- 1Speak to an admissions advisorEvery applicant is assigned an admissions advisor who explains the curriculum and policies and books the interviews you need.
- 2Submit your documentationProvide proof of high school completion and complete the applicant information form. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure Fortis receives every required document.
- 3Sit the Wonderlic SLETake the Scholastic Level Exam and reach this program’s published minimum. Accommodations must be requested under the catalog’s policy — campus staff cannot approve them.
- 4Financial aidFortis participates in federal student aid including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, PLUS Loans and Federal Work-Study. File the FAFSA and meet the campus financial aid office.FAFSA Code for Fortis College in Smyrna (Atlanta): E00780Complete FAFSA Application
- 5Sign the enrollment agreementAdmission decisions weigh your fulfilment of the requirements, your previous educational records and your career interests.
Program Schedule
Classes meet mornings, 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Required externship hours may be scheduled outside of typical class sessions and are available during typical office hours; hours are subject to change.
The program is 60 quarter credits (1,040 clock hours), completed in 48 weeks, delivered on-campus.
An externship is included so students can apply their knowledge and skills in a real dental setting. Required externship hours must be completed before graduation. Students are not paid for work performed at the externship site.
- September 21st, 2026
- November 02nd, 2026
- December 14th, 2026
Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHP101 | Introduction to Health Professions | 60 | 4 |
| AHP105 | Medical Terminology | 60 | 4 |
| AHP106 | Medical Anatomy and Physiology | 60 | 4 |
| DAS110 | Fundamentals of Dental Assisting | 60 | 4 |
| DAS116 | Infection Control | 60 | 4 |
| DAS120 | Dental Procedures and Techniques | 60 | 4 |
| DAS125 | Dental Materials and Lab Techniques | 60 | 4 |
| DAS130 | Dental Restorative Procedures | 60 | 4 |
| DAS135 | Dental Radiology | 60 | 4 |
| DAS140 | Dental Office Procedures and Billing | 60 | 4 |
| DAS145 | Dental Specialties and Expanded Functions | 60 | 4 |
| DAS151 | Dental Capstone | 60 | 4 |
| DAS190 | Externship I | 160 | 6 |
| DAS195 | Externship II | 160 | 6 |
| Total | 1040 | 60 |
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
The total program cost of $23,849 covers tuition plus the required fees and materials below:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $21,132 |
| Administrative & technology fee | $203 |
| Student kit | $577 |
| Certification / licensure exam | $540 |
| Laptop computer | $941 |
| Textbooks & e-books | $456 |
| Total program cost | $23,849 |
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Fortis participates in federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Direct PLUS Loans for parents, and Federal Work-Study. Complete the FAFSA and speak with the campus financial aid office to learn what you are eligible for.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the Dental Assisting program are prepared to seek entry-level employment in the office of a licensed dentist, performing tasks such as assisting with procedures, managing and maintaining patient records, and completing other appropriate tasks assigned by the licensed dentist.
Graduates are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board's (DANB) Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) and Infection Control (ICE) examinations.
What to expect as a Fortis student
Fortis is a career-focused college. The Dental Assisting program follows a set schedule and a fixed course sequence, combining classroom instruction with hands-on laboratory training in dental procedures, materials, radiology, and office practices.
The program concludes with an externship in a dental office, where you apply your training in a real-world setting. Required externship hours must be completed before graduation, and students are not paid for work performed at the externship site.
School Information
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited program means your education has met independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
Fortis College in Smyrna holds institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Graduates take the DANB Infection Control (ICE) and Radiation Health & Safety (RHS) exams.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Independently reviewed against published standards
- Recognised by employers in the field