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Wake Tech Launches N.C.'s First Community College Dental Assisting Apprenticeship
College Partners with Lane & Associates to Create "Earn While You Learn" Pathway
RALEIGH, N.C. (June 5, 2026) – Wake Tech has launched North Carolina's first community college dental assisting apprenticeship program in partnership with Lane & Associates Family Dentistry.
The new pathway reflects Wake Tech's continued commitment to workforce development and innovative health sciences education. It expands apprenticeship opportunities into a field that has historically been limited by accreditation requirements. With evolving guidance and strong employer collaboration, the college is helping lead the way in creating an "earn while you learn" model for Dental Assisting students.
"This new dental assisting apprenticeship program reflects Wake Tech's commitment to innovative education that connects students directly to career opportunities," said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. "By partnering closely with industry, we are creating pathways that meet critical workforce needs while helping students succeed in the classroom and on the job."
The program allows students to gain clinical experience while completing their accredited education. Apprentices work directly in dental practices, receiving mentorship, hands-on training and a paycheck while building professional experience.
Employers play a central role by helping train the next generation of dental assistants while strengthening their talent pipeline. Through the apprenticeship model, practices can mentor and evaluate students throughout their educational journey.
"This partnership represents the future of workforce development in healthcare education," said Constance Best, associate dean of Health Sciences at Wake Tech. "Our goal is to remove barriers for students, strengthen the dental workforce pipeline and create opportunities for students to succeed both academically and professionally."
The inaugural cohort includes 15 students in Wake Tech's Dental Assisting program who have accepted apprenticeship positions with Lane & Associates. Students and their families were recognized Friday during a formal signing ceremony celebrating this milestone in North Carolina dental education.
"This partnership is an investment in the future of dental care," said Dr. Don Lane, founder of Lane & Associates. "By working alongside Wake Tech, we're helping train the next generation of dental assistants while ensuring our patients continue to receive high-quality care."
Founded by Lane and his wife, Phyllis, Lane & Associates has served as a clinical partner for Wake Tech Dental Assisting students since 2017. Multiple offices serve as clinical training sites, offering a range of hands-on learning opportunities through the program's required clinical capstone course.
The Lanes have also provided significant philanthropic support to the program, with contributions supporting student scholarships, emergency financial assistance and equipment for the college's dental clinic facility, which bears the Lane & Associates name.
Wake Tech's Dental Assisting program is highly competitive and accredited by the American Dental Association. It prepares students to assist dentists in delivering patient care and to serve as integral members of the dental team, performing chairside, office and laboratory procedures. Students gain knowledge in infection control, radiography, dental materials, preventive dentistry and clinical techniques through a combination of classroom, lab and clinical experiences.
Graduates are classified as Dental Assistant II by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners and are eligible to take the Dental Assisting National Board exam to become certified dental assistants.
"This opportunity is life-changing," said James Wohlegemuth, a Wake Tech Dental Assisting apprentice. "I'm gaining hands-on experience, earning a paycheck and building a career at the same time. It's opening doors I didn't think were possible this early."
Wake Tech Apprenticeship, powered by WakeWorks®, is a unique partnership between the college and Wake County to address the region's shortage of technical workers, while giving students an opportunity to earn an income while learning new skills.
With more than 500 apprentices working at more than 170 companies across the Triangle, Wake Tech has one of the most robust apprenticeship programs among community colleges nationwide.
The program works with employer partners to develop registered apprenticeships in such fields as biotechnology, construction and maintenance, healthcare and transportation. Through these partnerships, Wake Tech collaborates with employers to identify workforce needs, develop training pathways and validate skill development. Apprentices gain hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced mentors and earn a nationally recognized Journeyworker credential upon completion.
Wake Tech apprenticeships are registered with ApprenticeshipNC, the North Carolina Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship program. The college is also recognized as a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Ambassador, reflecting its commitment to expanding high-quality apprenticeship opportunities.
