CT State Announces New Dental Assistant Program at Gateway
Connecticut State Community College (CT State) has announced the launch of a new noncredit dental assistant program at CT State Gateway in New Haven, during Dental Assistants Recognition Week.
Dental assistants play a vital role in patient care and practice operations. Their responsibilities include preparing patients for procedures, sterilizing instruments, taking dental X-rays, assisting chairside, and supporting administrative functions such as scheduling, record keeping, and providing post-operative instructions.
“This new program at Gateway expands access to a career pathway that is in high demand across the state,” said Salvador Bondoc, CT State dean for the School of Nursing, Allied Health and Human Services. “Many people use dental assisting as a way to get into health care and then move up to office management, education, or expanded functions by pursuing additional training, formal education, and professional development.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental assistants in Connecticut earn approximately $48,300 to over $50,000 annually, with national employment expected to grow more than 6 percent between 2024 and 2034.
Statewide Access to Dental Assisting Programs
The new Gateway program joins CT State’s existing credit and noncredit dental assisting programs offered across multiple campuses, giving students flexible pathways to enter the field in under one year.
Noncredit Dental Assistant Training Options
Offered at:
- CT State Gateway (New Haven)
- CT State Asnuntuck (Enfield)
- CT State Norwalk
- CT State Three Rivers (Norwich)
Program features:
- May be free or low cost for eligible students through workforce funding
- Not currently eligible for federal financial aid
- Designed for students seeking immediate employment, including career changers or those with prior education
- Prepares students to sit for the national dental assistant exams (DA certification)
Gateway will next offer the dental assistant program in August. For additional information on upcoming information sessions, or enrollment information for CT State Gateway, contact Erika Lynch, .
Learn more: https://ctstate.edu/programs/dental-assistant-wd
Credit Dental Assisting Program Options
Available at:
- CT State Manchester
- CT State Tunxis (Farmington)
Program features:
- Selective admissions process (deadlines for admission are different than other programs at CT State)
- Earns college credit, which may transfer for advanced study
- Eligible for financial aid and, for some students, free tuition
- Information sessions will be held this spring
Learn more: https://ctstate.edu/programs/dental-assisting
