Dental Assistant Program

The dental assistant program at Wilkes 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 North Carolina colleges that offer dental assistant program.

The Dental Assistant program at WPCC is accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation for more than 39 years.

Learn more by requesting information now!

Wilkes Community College (WPCC)

1001 Burkemont Ave, Morganton, NC

Wilkes Community College is a two-year community college that serves the people of Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties. It is a member of the North Carolina Community College System. If you are looking to enhance your quality of life by learning new skills to cope with today’s rapidly changing world, or moving forward in your educational journey, Wilkes College is the place for you.  Through its various programs and development services Wilkes Community College strives to improve your quality of life.

The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award degrees, certificates and diplomas.

This is an equal opportunity college and the campuses located at the Wilkes, Ashe and Alleghany counties offer a wide variety of programs ranging from accounting, architecture, business administration and automotive systems to basic law, computer technology and health services.

If you have time or place constraints and are not able to attend college you can opt for the distance learning programs offered by them.  This enables you to learn at your convenience in the comfort of your home or office.

To respond to the ongoing changes in technology there is a need to create continuing education to enhance your current skills or even learn new ones.  Wilkes Community College has a division for Continuing Education to respond to these needs by providing services not only to individuals but also to businesses and industries within the Alleghany, Ashe and Wilkes counties.

Students Enrolled in the Dental Assistant Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Wilkes Community College offers a less than two-year award 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

Salary & Wages

• Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
  • Total Employment: 270
  • Average Hourly Rate: $17.78
  • Average Annual Salary: $36980

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