Dental Assistant Program

The dental assistant program at Virginia Highlands Community College prepares students for a career in a dental office, dental supply manufacturer, hospital dental department, or insurance company. The program focuses on preparing patients and equipment for dental procedures, and office administrative functions. Program courses include: medical record-keeping, general office duties, reception and patient intake, scheduling, equipment maintenance and sterilization, basic radiography, pre and post-operative patient care and instruction, chairside assisting, taking tooth and mouth impressions, and supervised practice. Get more details below including other Virginia colleges that offer dental assistant program.

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Virginia Highlands Community College (VHCC)

1 College Avenue, Wise, VA

Virginia Highlands Community College, located in beautifully mountainous Abingdon, Virginia, enrolls approximately 3,200 students each year into their many programs of study.

VHCC offers the opportunity for students to earn an associate’s degree in many different areas, including: arts, education, business, information technology, science and horticulture, engineering, and industrial technology. VHCC also offers various career studies certificates, including: nurse’s aide certification, pharmacy technician certification, and business management. These certificates allow local businesses and employees to help augment their current knowledge of their already existing job field.

Virginia Highlands Community College is a fully accredited part of the VCCS system and subsequently has an agreement with all Virginia state colleges which allows students automatic acceptance when they have completed their associate’s degree.

Those who need additional financial assistance to attend VHCC may qualify for their Tobacco Scholarship Assistance Program which is geared toward students whose heritages lies with the many tobacco farmers of southern and western Virginia.

The cost to attend Virginia Highlands Community College is $127.00 per credit hour for in-state residents. Those who reside out of state can attend VHCC for $319.00 per credit hour. Those who live within a 30-mile radius, but across the state line, can attend VHCC for $143.00 per credit hour.

If you would like to apply at Virginia Highlands Community College, or would like more information on the many associate’s degree programs and career certificates offered there, click here to access VHCC’s official website.

Students Enrolled in the Dental Assistant Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Virginia Highlands Community College offers a less than one year certificate program in dental assistant.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine.

Dental Assistants

Description

Assist dentist, set up equipment, prepare patient for treatment, and keep records.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, dental assistants employment is expected to grow at a rate of 18.4% from 2014 to 2024

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).