Program Goals and Outcomes

Wake Tech's Dental Assisting program has the following goals:

1. Employment
   Prepare students for employment as dental assistants who:
   – Demonstrate a sound grasp of basic skills and knowledge related to dentistry
   – Effectively apply oral and written communication skills
   – Utilize a positive manner in the application of psychology to human behavior in the dental setting
   – Achieve minimum clinical competency
   – Value their role as members of the dental team
   – Regard quality patient care as a first priority
   – Have a practical opportunity to assist dentists in public health dental clinics, various clinical settings within dental schools and private practice settings
   – Demonstrate maturity and self-direction while functioning effectively as integral members of the dental health team
   
   Provide dentists/employers with an employment pool of graduates who perform at a Dental Assistant II entry level
   Earn a reputation for excellence in teaching and professionalism
   Assist students with securing employment within a dental setting
    
2. Enhance student awareness of the need for community service and professional development through a Service Learning project. Completing 10 hours will earn a transcript notation, while 30 hours of service will qualify students for both the transcript notation and a cord of distinction at graduation.
    
3. Exhibit professional behaviors and ethical decision-making processes
    
4. Maintain active, vigorous liaison with state and local dental professional associations, the North Carolina Dental Society and Raleigh-Wake Country Dental Society, respectively, and state and national dental assisting associations, the North Carolina Dental Assistants Association and American Dental Assistants Association, respectively
    
5. Assist students who elect to challenge the Dental Assisting National Board's Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination to earn their professional credential

The Dental Assisting program uses the following measurements to gauge its effectiveness:

Program completion rate
Program completion rates are affected by attrition – students who voluntarily withdraw – and academic dismissal – students unsuccessful in courses. Recent classes also were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes shifted online in March 2020, and Wake Tech didn't resume full-time, on-campus lectures and labs until the 2021-22 school year. As a result, the college wasn't able to fill its 2021 class.

National Board pass rate
Students graduating from the Dental Assisting program are eligible to challenge the Dental Assisting National Board (Certified Dental Assistant) Examination to earn their CDA credential.

Employment rate
The goal is for 100% of graduates to be employed within two months of program completion. Faculty actively assist students to secure employment even after they complete the program. Historically, approximately 50% to 70% of students are employed the day they meet program requirements.