Dental Assisting
Diploma
What You’ll Learn
Forsyth Tech’s dental assisting and dental hygiene programs offer a comprehensive education that combines classroom instruction and clinical experience. Students gain the skills and knowledge required to excel as dental assistants or dental hygienists, including patient preparation, X-ray procedures, cleanings, infection control, communication, and office management. Graduates can pursue diverse career opportunities in the dental field with the potential for certification or licensure.
To apply, the application will open on March 16, 2026, and the application deadline will be May 15, 2026. If you have questions about the program and any changes, please contact your advisor.
*The previous year’s packets are still posted as a reference. If you are unsure of anything, please check with your advisor.
Outcomes
- Proficiency
- Problem-solving
- Knowledge
- Multi-tasking
- Anatomy
- Understanding
- Expertise
- Organization
Curriculum & Class Schedule
Legend:
AComprehensive Articulation Agreement (This course is recommended for students transferring to a four-year university.)
LLocal Requirement
IInstructional Service Agreement
UUniversal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC)
GGlobal Distinction
RRequisite(s)
Disclaimer line: This is a suggested list. You will consult with an academic advisor to develop your exact curriculum, based on your interests and any credits you may already have obtained prior to arriving at Forsyth Tech.
BIO 163: Basic Anat & Physiology
ACredit Hours: 5
DEN 100: Basic Orofacial Anatomy
Credit Hours: 2
DEN 101: Preclinical Procedures
Credit Hours: 7
DEN 111: Infection/Hazard Control
Credit Hours: 2
DEN 112: Dental Radiography
Credit Hours: 3
DEN 102: Dental Materials
Credit Hours: 4
DEN 103: Dental Sciences
Credit Hours: 2
DEN 104: Dental Health Education
Credit Hours: 3
DEN 106: Clinical Practice I
RCredit Hours: 6
DEN 105: Practice Management
Credit Hours: 2
DEN 107: Clinical Practice II
RCredit Hours: 5
ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry
A U G RCredit Hours: 3
Select one:
PSY 118: Interpersonal Psychology
Credit Hours: 3
PSY 150: General Psychology (Global)
A U GCredit Hours: 3
Legend:
AComprehensive Articulation Agreement (This course is recommended for students transferring to a four-year university.)
LLocal Requirement
IInstructional Service Agreement
UUniversal General Education Transfer Component (UGETC)
GGlobal Distinction
RRequisite(s)
- Dental Assistant
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Lab Technician
- Dental Office Administration
Employment Opportunities for Dental Assistants
- Dental Assistant (DA)
- Certified Dental Assistant (CDA)
- Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) (used in states with registration/licensure)
- Dental Assistant I (DA I) – typically limited duties
- Dental Assistant II / Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) – can perform more procedures, may need extra certification
- Chairside Dental Assistant
- Orthodontic Dental Assistant
- Pediatric Dental Assistant
- Periodontal Surgical Assistant
- Endodontic Dental Assistant
- Oral Surgery Assistant
- Dental Front-Office Assistant
- Dental Receptionist/Assistant
- Dental Treatment Coordinator
- Dental Office Manager (with assisting background)
- Dental Hygienist (with further education)
- Dental Lab Technician
- Clinical Instructor for Dental Assisting Programs
- Practice/Operations Manager
Dental Assisting Program Goals and Assessment Methods
Using the following sample format, list the program’s goals and/or objectives and describe the assessment methods utilized.
| Goal | Program Goal 1 | Program Goal 2 | Program Goal 3 | Program Goal 4 |
| Time-table for process implementation | After completion of the program, the student will pass DANB 1 academic year or 3 semesters | Improve interpersonal communication skills 1 academic year or 3 semesters | Upon graduation, 92% feel prepared to enter the workforce 1 academic year or 3 semesters | Exhibit Professional Behaviors and Ethical Decision Making 1 academic year or 3 semesters |
| Participant(s) roles and responsibilities | Didactic preparation for success on the DANB examination, Updating and revising student learning outcomes, Developing test questions to prepare students better, Presenting benefits of | Provide necessary tools to evaluate skills | Develop courses Develop evaluation tools, Assist with job placement, Facilitate labs | Faculty act as role models and mentors Faculty serves as resources during the decision-making process, Utilize evaluation processes |
| Method of goal assessment | Review DANB results for each student | Written communication in DEN 111, Active listening in DEN 106, Oral communication in DEN 107 | Successful DANB completion Feedback from clinical sites in DEN 106 & DEN 107, Clinical skill evaluations Completion of clinical | Daily evaluations in all labs and clinical courses, Feedback from rotation sites, Test questions in various courses, Daily interactions with students |
| Appropriate benchmark? | At least 92% of graduates become aCDA | Rotation site feedback Student observation | Student feedback from rotation sites, Employer surveys, Employment Statistics, Course pass rates | 80% or above during student evaluation of behavior,Marked improvement if behavior concern identified |
| Analysis timeframe for obtained data | Fall semester ICE pass rates, Spring semester RHS pass rates and Summer semester GC pass rates, or overall pass rates | Completion of each course | Data collected in DEN 106 and DEN 107 Employer survey Students secure employment | Professional and ethical behavior evaluated daily in all courses |
| Related findings and conclusions | All students who chose to take DANB passed | Overall communication skills have improved with good feedback from rotation sites | Students secure jobs before graduating and feel prepared, End of program survey Surveys reflect students are prepared at a minimum or above competency level at chairside | 100% of students were above 80% on daily evaluation of behavior, Behaviors identified as unacceptable were addressed immediately |
| Program changes made as a result of findings | Place great emphasis on becoming a CDA, Include a DANB review book as a text, Provide quizzes in preparation for DANB | Continue to implement the communication skills practice | Continue to prepare students for the workforce Work on efficiency Continue to improve communication skills | Professional behavior is a focus throughout the program Advising to students in jeopardy |
| Changes made within outcomes planning and assessment process | All courses within the curriculum are included in the assessment process | Continue to implement the communication skills practice | All courses within the curriculum are included in the assessment process | All courses within the curriculum are included in the assessment process |
| Follow-up | Per Semester: ICE/Fall RBS/Spring GC/Summer | Per Semester | Annually | Per Semester |
Visit us today!
Forsyth Tech is located at:
2100 Silas Creek Parkway,
Winston-Salem, NC 27103