Dental Assisting I is a Certificate program offered by Fortis College in Wayne, NJ. The program takes 38 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $20,923.
Program Overview
The Dental Assisting I program trains students to acquire the skills and demonstrate competence in a variety of dental office procedures and laboratory techniques. These include preliminary examination procedures, chairside assisting using four-handed dentistry, charting, appointment scheduling, keeping patient records, and sterilizing instruments. Students qualified in radiology may also take and expose radiographs.
Students are evaluated across professional development, including terminology, theory, performance skills, and front-office skills. The program's radiological component is approved by the New Jersey Radiological Technology Board of Examiners.
What sets this Program apart
- Earn a Dental Assisting I certificate in about 38 weeks (day) or 53 weeks (evening).
- Hands-on training in four-handed dentistry, chairside assisting, dental materials, and radiology.
- Radiological component approved by the New Jersey Radiological Technology Board of Examiners.
- Includes off-site Patient Dental Screening / Radiography clinics under a Board-licensed dentist and an externship.
- Graduates may be eligible to sit for the DANB Radiation Health & Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE), and General Chairside (GCE) exams.
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 Medical 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 Institute in Wayne holds institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- 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 Institute in Wayne: 014968Complete FAFSA Application
- 5Sign the enrollment agreementAdmission decisions weigh your fulfilment of the requirements, your previous educational records and your career interests.
Program Schedule
Classes may be scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Required externship hours may be scheduled outside of typical class sessions.
The program is 43 semester credits (1,015 contact hours; 1,349 total clock hours including recognized homework), completed in 38 weeks (day) or 53 weeks (evening), on-campus.
- October 01st, 2026
- October 22nd, 2026
- November 13th, 2026
Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-101 | Emergencies in the Dental Office | 20 | 1 |
| 1-102 | Introduction to Dental Assisting | 25 | 1 |
| 1-103 | Introduction to Dental Materials | 40 | 2 |
| 1-104 | Instruments | 25 | 1 |
| 1-105 | Four-Handed Dentistry | 20 | 1 |
| 1-106 | Dental Assisting Skills | 20 | 1 |
| C-101 | Emergencies & Pharmacology | 28 | 1.5 |
| C-102 | Infection Control / Disease Transmission | 42 | 2.5 |
| C-103 | Morphology | 20 | 1 |
| C-104 | Chairside Materials | 24 | 1 |
| C-105 | Anatomy & Physiology | 36 | 2 |
| B-101 | Dental Specialties | 40 | 2 |
| B-102 | Oral & Written Communication | 30 | 1.5 |
| B-103 | Prevention and Nutrition | 25 | 1.5 |
| B-104 | Business Administration / Professional Law & Ethics | 35 | 2 |
| B-105 | Psychology | 20 | 1 |
| M-101 | Head & Neck Anatomy | 25 | 1.5 |
| M-102 | Pre-Clinical Radiology | 47 | 2 |
| M-103 | Oral Pathology | 15 | 1 |
| M-104 | Clinical Internship | 63 | 1.5 |
| W-101 | Radiology | 39 | 2 |
| W-102 | Human Relations | 15 | 1 |
| W-103 | Lab Materials | 33 | 1 |
| W-104 | Clinical | 63 | 1.5 |
| CAP200 | DA Capstone and Career Development | 85 | 4.5 |
| EX-501 | Externship | 180 | 4 |
| Total | 1015 | 43 |
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
The total program cost of $23,820 covers tuition plus the required fees and materials below:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $20,923 |
| Administrative & technology fee | $201 |
| Book charges | $540 |
| Lab & instructional material fee | $675 |
| Laptop computer | $941 |
| Certification / licensure exam | $540 |
| Total program cost | $23,820 |
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 are qualified to seek entry-level positions as a Dental Assistant in dental offices and clinics, performing the lab techniques and office procedures covered in the program. Graduates may be eligible to sit for the DANB Radiation Health & Safety (RHS), Infection Control (ICE), and General Chairside (GCE) exams.
What to expect as a Fortis student
Fortis is a career-focused college. The Medical Assisting program follows a set schedule and a fixed course sequence, combining classroom instruction with hands-on clinical and laboratory training.
The program concludes with an externship in a healthcare setting, where you apply your training in a real-world environment. 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 Institute in Wayne holds institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Independently reviewed against published standards
- Recognised by employers in the field