For six decades, Greenville Technical College has prepared skilled dental assisting graduates for successful careers. While technology has advanced and opportunities for cutting-edge, hands-on learning have expanded over the years, one thing has remained constant: a commitment to high-quality patient care.
Dental assistants play an essential role in dental practices, serving as clinical assistants who receive and prepare patients for treatment, provide chairside assistance, take X-rays, create temporary crowns and impressions, and support office management. Completion of Greenville Technical College’s 12-month program gives graduates the Certified Dental Assistant credential from the Dental Assisting National Board required to work in the field.
The curriculum combines classroom instruction with extensive hands-on experience designed to build both skill and confidence. Students practice hand instrumentation on dental tooth models before working with patients, while Dentrix AI software introduces them to technology that can enhance diagnostic accuracy and support advanced patient care. Human patient simulators in the college’s Simulation Technologies and Training Center help students prepare for the unexpected by allowing them to practice responding to patient emergencies in a realistic environment.
Students further develop their skills in an eight-chair lab, which features the newest technology in sterilization practices. Students also complete clinical experiences in dental offices throughout the community, strengthening their knowledge and reinforcing the competencies developed in the program.
Demand for dental assistants remains strong in the Upstate and beyond. Lightcast data currently shows 221 job openings, with employment in the field expected to grow 17% over the next decade.
“The Dental Assisting program is well regarded in the dental community for producing graduates who are immediately comfortable in their vital roles within the office,” said Michelle Ashley, Dental Assisting Academic Program Director at Greenville Technical College. “Technology in this field is advancing rapidly, and we make sure that our students are well practiced in what they’ll need to provide the highest quality patient care.”