Dental assistants help deliver quality oral health care and are valuable members of a dental care team. Individuals who have strong communication skills, enjoy working with their hands and mind and want a career with responsibility are best suited for the field.
The Dental Assisting program promotes the discovery of knowledge, techniques and service that contribute to public health and the growth of the profession. The faculty's primary responsibilities are to provide a comprehensive approach to student development that encourages critical, independent and professional thinking and to optimize each student's growth.
The sites with which Wake Tech has contracted to provide clinical training require that all students assigned to their sites provide a criminal background check to Wake Tech and that the college notify the clinical site of any individuals who have criminal records.
The sites have the discretionary right to refuse to permit a student having a criminal record from receiving training in their facility, and this determination is made by each of the sites individually, without input from the college. Most clinical sites will not review or make a determination on pending cases that have not been resolved.
The background check includes every county where an applicant has lived during the past 10 years. "Criminal record" includes any of the following:
Students must comply with the requirements of clinical facilities regarding immunizations. Proof of immunity is mandated with rare exceptions, and only if there is a documented medical reason such as pregnancy, allergy or a life-threatening reaction.
Wake Tech academic programs (credit and non-credit) that are designed to lead to professional licenses are tied to North Carolina or national certifications. If you intend to pursue professional licenses outside North Carolina once you have completed your academic program at Wake Tech, please refer to the Professional Licensure section of the college's distance education authorization page for additional information.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education, accredits Wake Tech's Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs. Each program has been granted "approval without reporting requirements" status. The commission can be contacted at 312-440-4653 or at 211 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
A copy of the Dental Assisting Accreditation Standards may be found online, as can the CODA Policies and Procedures, including those for filing complaints.
Wake Technical Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Wake Technical Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Wake Technical Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404-679-4500 or by using information available on SACSCOC's website (www.sacscoc.org).