Dental Assistant Program

The Dental Assistant Program prepares students for careers in dental healthcare through hands-on classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, and a valuable allied health internship. As part of the Academy of Health Professions, students develop the knowledge, technical skills, and professionalism needed to succeed in a dental setting.

What Will Students Learn?

Students explore a variety of topics, including:

Oral and dental healthcare
Anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology
Oral embryology and histology
Dental radiology and digital imaging
Infection prevention and hazard control
Dental instruments and assisting techniques
Patient care, oral diagnosis, and treatment planning
Dental disease prevention and oral health education
Healthcare communication and administrative software

Hands-On Learning

During the first semester, students develop essential healthcare skills, including taking vital signs, practicing first aid and CPR, maintaining infection control, assisting with patient examinations, and understanding HIPAA and patient confidentiality.

Through classroom instruction and laboratory practice, students apply what they learn and build confidence in skills used in professional dental settings.

Allied Health Internship

The program culminates in a supervised allied health internship, where students gain valuable practical experience in a professional dental office. This opportunity allows students to apply their skills, observe daily dental practice, and develop workplace readiness.

College and Career Preparation

Students explore career opportunities within the dental field and gain a foundation for future education and employment. The program helps students make informed decisions about their college and career goals while preparing them for the responsibilities of working in dental healthcare.

Meet the InstructorMrs. Cami Howard, QDA, QOA, DRT

Mrs. Cami Howard has lived in Walkersville since 1984 and is a graduate of Governor Thomas Johnson High School, Class of 1986. She began working as a chairside assistant after asking her dentist at the time if she could shadow his office and he hired her on the spot! After graduation from high school, she pursued dental assisting classes at Frederick Community College in Frederick, MD for Dental Anatomy & Dental Radiology and received certification as a Dental Radiation Technologist. After working for several years she wanted the ability to perform expanded duties within the dental setting, so it was back to school with the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners Expanded Duties Course in Columbia, MD where she successfully received certification as a Qualified Dental Assistant (QDA)/Qualified Orthodontic Assistant (QOA).With 40 years of experience in the dental field, she is excited to share her knowledge with CTC students passing on the necessary education as well as some "pearls" to help the new dental assisting students provide the best possible care to patients.
1986-1988 Chairside Dental Assistant for Dr. Ronald J. Rudlaff in Walkersville, MD
1988-2014 Chairside Dental Assistant for Dr. Edward S. Andochick in Frederick, MD
2014-2019 Chairside Dental Assistant at Dr. Lori Andochick Dental in Frederick, MD
2019-2023 Lead Chairside Dental Assistant at Woodsboro Dental, Woodsboro, MD
2023-PRESENT Dental Assisting Instructor at FCPS Career and Technology Center, Frederick, MD

Current Dental Assistant Cohort #5

Program Timeline

August 2026 – December 2026

Dental Assistant 1 | Terms 1–2

Dental 1: (Intro to Dental Assisting/internship exploration/General Anatomy & Physiology) *Anatomy, Morphology & Physiology (AMP)

January 2027 – May 2027

Dental Assistant 2 & 3 | Terms 3–4

Dental 2: *Infection Control (ICE)
Dental 3: *Radiation Health and Safety (RHS)
NELDA Certification Exam Preparation
NELDA Certification Exam: May 2027

Students prepare for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) certification exam through coursework aligned with the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam components.

August 2027 – December 2027

Allied Health Internship | Terms 1–2

Gain supervised, hands-on experience in a professional dental office.
Apply classroom and laboratory skills in a real-world healthcare setting.
Earn 1–2 credits, as applicable.

Soon to Welcome-Incoming Dental Assistant Cohort #6!

Program Timeline Cohort #6

January 2027 – June 2027

Dental Assistant 1 | Terms 1–2
Dental 1: (Intro to Dental Assisting/internship exploration/General Anatomy & Physiology); *Anatomy, Morphology & Physiology (AMP)

August 2027 – December 2027

Dental Assistant 2 & 3 | Terms 3–4

Dental 2: *Infection Control (ICE)
Dental 3: *Radiation Health and Safety (RHS)
NELDA Certification Exam Preparation
NELDA Certification Exam: May 2027

*Coursework is aligned with the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam components to prepare students for the National Entry Level Dental Assistant (NELDA) certification exam.

January 2028 – June 2028

Allied Health Internship | Terms 3–4

Gain supervised, hands-on experience in a professional dental office.
Apply classroom and laboratory skills in a real-world healthcare setting.
Earn 1–2 credits, as applicable.

CTC Dental Assistant Program consists of 5 credits over a year and a half. Students must complete all 5 credits to be considered a program completer. Due to the accelerated level of this program, all 5 credits are considered HONORS weighted. Qualified students are eligible to take Certification exams as aligned with MSDE curriculum. In addition, students will also be certified in CPR and First Aid through the American Heart Association (AHA); OSHA compliance and HIPAA standards are reviewed prior to being eligible to go off site to complete their Allied Health Internship in year 2 (one semester)

NOTE: Students procure their individual internship sites and transportation to and from the internship is NOT provided by FCPS. NOTE: Since internships are in a healthcare setting, some sites require immunization records

*Certifications available for qualified students*

DANB NELDA (National Entry Level Dental Assistant) includes (AMP) Anatomy, Morphology & Physiology, (RHS) Radiation Health Safety** & (ICE) Infection Control

CPR and First Aid

*Certification exams must be approved by MSDE and students must meet all requirements

Want to learn more?

SIGN UP TO SHADOW

In order to apply to an of the programs here at CTC, it is required that you shadow a program. Shadowing will allow each student interested in enrolling at CTC to experience what a day in the life of a CTC student is all about. Each schools guidance staff can assist you in scheduling your shadow visit to our CTC campus! Shadow season is typically November-February with applications due in early March! Hope to see you at CTC!

Questions?

Visit our schools website here: https://edu.fcps.org/ctc/programs-courses

Select Dental Assistant

Call our main office at (227) 203-3650

Cami Howard email cami.howard@fcps.org

HOPE TO SEE YOU AT CTC!

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

(for admitted students)

Monday, August 17, 2026

4:30-6:00 PM

CTC open house! (open to the public)

October 22, 2026

6:00-8:00 PM

CTC DENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM ALUMNI...

Ariel Adlam Cohort #1

“Taking Mrs. Howard’s dental assisting class was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career. Her class gave me the knowledge, skills, and confidence I needed to get started in the dental field. While taking her course, I asked my own dentist if I could shadow for a few days, and shortly after, I landed an internship there. This gave me valuable hands-on experience and helped me realize how much I truly enjoyed dental assisting.”

“Towards the end of her course, my classmates and I went on to take the NELDA exam, and I eventually received my radiology license. While still in my senior year of high school, my internship offered me a position as a Dental Assistant once I graduated. After a few months of working, my job gave me the opportunity to participate in a six-week DATS program to further my education and skills.”

“Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful for everything Mrs. Howard’s class taught me and for the opportunities it opened up for me. It truly gave me the foundation to start a career that I’m proud of.”

~ Ariel Adlam | CTC Dental Assisting Cohort #1

Makayla Olenchalk Cohort #1

"Hi, I’m Makayla! I had the pleasure to be a part of Mrs. Howard’s first cohort of Dental Assisting. CTC was the best decision I have ever made. It gave me people to lean on, countless opportunities and the chance to get a headstart on my future career goals. I started the program my sophomore year of high school, not knowing the impact it would have on me. I jumped in head-first and loved everything about it. I was learning everything from anatomy, to how to take an impression to how to be professional in an office. In such a short amount of time, I learned everything I needed to know to succeed. I looked forward to class everyday because there was always something new and exciting to learn. I used all the information I learned to gain my certifications and apply them to the real world. I worked as an intern at Frederick Pediatric Dental Associates and worked there over the summer as well. CTC has shaped who I am today and I wouldn't be where I am without it. I am currently a student at Clemson University, majoring in Biological Sciences on the pre-dental track. I am planning to attend The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston to become a dentist and specialize in orthodontics. I am forever in debt to CTC and Mrs. Howard for the amazing opportunities it has given me.”

~ Makayla Olenchalk | CTC Dental Assisting Cohort #1

Mason Nickles Cohort #1

"My name is Mason Nickles, a former student of the FCPS CTC. Attending CTC allowed me to know that I really want to be a dentist. Learning in class and getting experience in my internship helped me to really be sure of my interest in dentistry. I hope to open my own dental office in the future after finishing my undergraduate and dental school in the coming years."

~ Mason Nickles | CTC Dental Assisting Cohort #1

Kimberly Munoz Cohort #2

“My name is Kimberly, and my experience at CTC was wonderful. I truly enjoyed being part of the Dental Assisting Program. The program taught me so much, both inside and outside of the classroom. Sometimes it can be challenging, but if you work hard and stay committed, you will get through it. One of my favorite parts of the program was my internship because it allowed me to gain hands-on experience and apply what I learned in the classroom to a real dental setting. I gained experience in sterilization and infection control, chairside assisting, and setting up operatories. It also helped me become more confident and comfortable working with patients and a dental team. I also earned my Dental Assisting certification and radiology license while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Now, after graduating from TJ, I’m currently attending Frederick Community College, where I am completing my dental hygiene prerequisites, while also working full-time at a private dental practice. The skills I learned at CTC have been extremely helpful in my current job. I am continuing to gain experience assisting with more complex procedures, including implant placement and restorations, extractions, root canals, crowns, fillings, and prophylaxis. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of the Dental Assisting Program and to have Mrs. Howard as my teacher. She taught me so much and always encouraged me to keep working hard, even when things were challenging.”

~ Kimberly Munoz | CTC Dental Assisting Cohort #2

Riya Khirbat Cohort #2

“My name is Riya Khirbat and I graduated high school in 2025. I first shadowed at CTC during my junior year of high school after a family friend who was a dentist encouraged me to come. I immediately fell in love with how hands on and interactive the program was. So I applied and was accepted for the 2025 school year. At CTC, we learned through both classroom instruction and real world experiences, including using X-ray machines, dental chairs, sterilization equipment, dental instruments, and physical tooth models. Mrs. Howard’s constant encouragement and support helped me become more confident and successful in the program. She created such an uplifting and happy environment at CTC. Beyond the dental knowledge and skills I gained, I am most grateful for the lifelong friendships and memories I made within my cohort.

I am now attending the University of Maryland, College Park and I am studying Business with plans to double major in Management and Marketing. While I chose not to pursue a clinical healthcare career, CTC helped me realize that I still want to be involved in healthcare. It opened my eyes to the business and management side of the healthcare industry and showed me that there are many different ways to build a career in healthcare. I hope to combine my business education with my healthcare experience to pursue a career in healthcare management and leadership.”

~ Riya Khirbat | CTC Dental Assisting Cohort #2

Brianna Lifongo Cohort #3

“Taking the dental assisting course at the Career and Technology Center during my senior year was a truly transformative experience that laid a solid foundation for my professional journey. I thoroughly enjoyed the program, not only because of the supportive peers and instructor I met, but because it gave me a vital head start toward my goal of becoming an orthodontist. Completing the hands on internship allowed me to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real world clinical application, while sharpening my skills in patient interaction, sterilization protocols, and daily office collaboration. Building on that strong foundation, I was able to pass the NELDA exam on my very first attempt. Currently, I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Public Health on the pre-dental track at George Washington University, and I know that the technical knowledge and confidence I gained from the program will continue to guide me as I work toward dental school and my future career.”

~ Brianna Lifongo | CTC Dental Assisting Cohort #3

THIS COULD BE YOU!

THE DENTAL ASSISTANT PROGRAM!

We can't wait to meet you!