Dental Assisting & Oral Radiography

Dental assisting is a hands-on healthcare career that places you at the center of patient care in a dental practice. This program builds your clinical skills from the ground up, covering chair-side assisting techniques, infection control, patient communication, and the safe use of dental radiography equipment.

Course Sequence

• CAH145 or ADE646 Foundations for Healthcare Careers
• CAH272 Fundamentals of Dental Assisting
• CAH273 Oral Radiography

FCC Completion Awards

Earn an FCC Completion Award for each course completed, recognizing your growing skills and commitment to the field.

Four Industry-Recognized Credentials

Upon successful program completion of this two-course series, you are eligible to sit for three industry-recognized certification exams:

• National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) Certification - offered by the Dental Assisting National Board, the NELDA is a nationally recognized credential validating entry-level dental assisting competency.
• Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) Certification - offered by the Dental Assisting National Board, this credential demonstrates your knowledge of radiation safety principles and radiographic technique. The RHS is one of the component exams of the NELDA and can also be earned as a standalone certification.
• Maryland General Dental Assisting (MDGA) Certification - Maryland dental assistants who perform expanded clinical functions must be recognized by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners (MSBDE). Completion of this program satisfies the educational requirements. After passing the DANB Maryland General Dental Assisting (MDG) exam, apply to the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners (MSBDE) for state recognition.

FCC Workforce Training Certificates

Earning Workforce Training Certificates (WTCs) demonstrates your acquired knowledge, proven skills, and recognized capabilities in the field, preparing you for direct entry into the industry. Review the certificate information below and the eligibility requirements to get started.

Dental Assisting Workforce Training Certificate

Upon successful completion of this 2-course sequence, you are eligible to receive this Construction & Applied Technologies Institute credential that documents your foundational dental assisting skills and prepares you for the Dental Assisting National Board Entry Level Dental Assistant Certification Exam.

• CAH145 or ADE646 Foundations for Healthcare Careers
• CAH272 Fundamentals of Dental Assisting

Oral Radiography Workforce Training Certificate

Upon successful completion of this 1-course program, you are eligible to receive this Construction & Applied Technologies Institute credential that documents your oral radiography skills and prepares you for the DANB Radiation Health and Safety exam. Course content is approved by the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.

• CAH273 Oral Radiography

Eligibility Requirements

• Participants are required to successfully complete the course series identified as a Workforce Training Certificate program, as approved by the College.
• Students may request approval to transfer up to 25% of total Certificate contact hours of prior learning from an accredited institution for select Workforce Training Certificates.
• Please note, course substitutions are not permitted and completion is based upon competency.

Important Information

• Certificates are awarded monthly following course completion, rather than at the end of a traditional semester.
• These programs consist of Workforce Training (non-credit) courses with fee structures subject to change.
• Courses are not eligible for federal financial aid.

If you hold a qualifying healthcare credential, you may be eligible to receive credit for prior learning and waive one or more program prerequisites.

• CAH145 Foundation for Healthcare Careers may be waived with any of the following current certifications or licenses: CNA, CMA/CCMA (or other Medical Assistant certification), LPN, RN, EMT-B or EMT-I, CRT, AEMT, or Paramedic.
• SAF157 CPR Basic Life Support may be waived with a current AHA Basic Life Support CPR card valid through your program end date.

If you are seeking credit for prior learning, please contact Healthcare Careers at [email protected] to verify your eligibility before registering for a program.