Frederick Community College

What you'll study

• CAH145 or ADE646 — Foundations for Healthcare Careers (prerequisite pathway)
• CAH272 — Fundamentals of Dental Assisting (chair-side techniques, infection control, patient communication and related clinical skills)
• CAH273 — Oral Radiography (safe use of dental radiography equipment and radiographic technique)

Completion of the two-course sequence makes you eligible for industry credentials: NELDA (entry-level dental assisting), Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) component exam, and Maryland General Dental Assisting (MDGA) educational requirement for state recognition. FCC awards Completion Awards for each course and Workforce Training Certificates documenting the skills attained.

Entry requirements

• English reading and listening skills; a free Accuplacer is available to check readiness.
• Provide a current AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR card or register for SAF157 CPR Basic Life Support.
• CAH273 Oral Radiography requires prior dental assisting and/or dental anatomy knowledge, dental assisting experience, or successful completion of a dental assisting program.
• Students may request credit for prior learning; up to 25% of total Certificate contact hours may be transferred from an accredited institution for select Workforce Training Certificates. Course substitutions are not permitted and completion is competency-based.
• CAH145 may be waived with current qualifying healthcare credentials (examples listed by the program include CNA, CMA/CCMA, LPN, RN, EMT-B/I, AEMT, CRT, Paramedic). SAF157 CPR waiver is possible with a current AHA BLS card valid through program end date. Contact Healthcare Careers to verify eligibility.

Career prospects

Graduates enter roles as dental assistants performing chair-side support, instrument passing, taking dental radiographs, preparing treatment areas, implementing infection control, recording patient information, scheduling, and supporting patient communication and post-treatment instructions. The program positions students for direct entry into dental practices and provides a pathway for later advancement into dental hygiene, office management, or other allied health roles where permitted by scope of practice.

Scholarships & funding angle

These are non-credit Workforce Training courses and are not eligible for federal financial aid. FCC lists financial assistance options for CEWD students including CEWD scholarships, workforce development funding, program-specific financial aid opportunities and payment plans. Tuition and fees vary by course (approximate range provided by the program), additional materials and exam fees may apply, and certificates are awarded monthly after course completion.