The GACTC continues to respond to the needs of area students and employers by adding new adult education programs. Today the school announced a new dental assistant program for the 2024-2025 academic year as part of their adult education programming.

In the Southern Alleghenies region, dental assistants remain as a high priority occupation. The dental assistant diploma program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as dental assistants. Students will be trained to perform a wide variety of dental assisting, radiological, and infection control procedures. Additionally, procedures specific to dental specialties, such as restorative, prosthodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics, endodontics, will be reviewed. The 725-hour diploma program will provide students with the knowledge and experience to enter the dental field as a dental assistant. The program includes hands-on technical laboratory sessions in which students perform procedures on dental simulators, and, students will complete 345 hours with dental offices to develop their skills through clinical courses. Students will have the opportunity to earn certification in radiology to perform dental x-rays.

Various opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized credentials are incorporated into the program, including OSHA training, Radiation Health and Safety, infection control, and certification as a dental assistant. Enrollment will begin for the 2024-2025 school year.

Graduates of the dental assistant diploma program may also continue study in the Expanded Function Dental Assistant (EFDA) Certificate program, which builds on the role of the dental assistant.

Financial aid is available to students who qualify. For more information about this new program, please contact the GACTC at 814-941-TECH or visit https://www.gactc.edu/adult-education/full-time-programs/dental-assistant/.