March 18, 2025
Laurel Ridge is sharing an initiative worth smiling about – the college has expanded our Dental Assisting program to the Fauquier Campus. The first cohort began classes in February and will have completed the fast-track program offered through Workforce Solutions by mid-June.
Dental assistants are an integral part of the dental team and trained to work directly with the dentist. Dental assisting has been offered at Laurel Ridge’s Middletown Campus since spring 2019. That campus also offers an associate degree in dental hygiene as part of a partnership with Virginia Western Community College.
“We teach four-handed dentistry through our program – the dentist is two of the hands and the assistant is the other two hands,” said Anna Teter, program manager/director of operations for Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions. “Dental assistants work hand-in-hand to complete procedures. It’s up to individual dentists to determine how much to allow assistants to do. They can do coronal polishing, make impressions and – at a high level – can complete a filling after the dentist has prepared the tooth.”
Assistants are also trained to take X-rays, set up the exam room, sterilize instruments and even assist at the front desk with scheduling, insurance and more. Dental assisting students are gaining clinical experience at the dental clinic offered through the Fauquier Free Clinic.
“We are excited about the launch of the Dental Assisting program at the Fauquier Campus,” said Allison Ortner, Workforce Solutions program manager-healthcare. “The program was expanded to address the growing demand for skilled dental assistants in the region. The program provides students with hands-on experience and the training needed to excel in this important healthcare field. A special thank you goes to the Fauquier Free Clinic for graciously sharing their space for the student lab experience. We look forward to the positive impact this program will have on our community!”
Students who complete the Dental Assisting program at Laurel Ridge will receive a certificate of completion, as well as certification in Basic Life Support-CPR and a certificate in dental radiation. After they begin working in the field, they will be eligible to seek certification from the Dental Assisting National Board.
The Laurel Ridge Educational Foundation has been instrumental in bringing the program to the Fauquier Campus. This includes providing more than $12,000 in scholarship assistance to students, as well as raising $60,000 in donations to purchase the necessary equipment, including manikins, sets of teeth, dental trays and instruments. Warrenton-based PATH Foundation was one of the generous donors.
“Dental assisting remains a consistent workforce priority in the Commonwealth,” said PATH Foundation program officer Margy Eastham Thomas. “PATH Foundation is delighted to be among the funders working together to significantly reduce or eliminate the cost of tuition for students pursuing this career path.”
Fauquier Free Clinic Director Rob Marino said the clinic is pleased to partner with the college.
“The team at the Fauquier Free Clinic has been delighted to see dental assistant training come here to Warrenton,” he said. “When Laurel Ridge contacted us about hosting the hands-on part of the clinical training here at our dental facility, we were happy to oblige. The first group of students has started coming in the evenings and they have been great to work with. I look forward to partnering with Laurel Ridge to support these classes for a long time to come. It’s a great clinical job and a great way for someone to get into the health care profession.
The median salary for dental assistants in this region is more than $46,000, with highly-experienced dental assistants earning more than $61,000 a year, according to Career Coach powered by Lightcast. There are an anticipated 171 openings for the position each year.
Learn more about the program at laurelridge.edu/dental.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge 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).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.