Dental assistants are valued members of our patient centered medical home teams and perform both clinical and administrative duties within an integrated model of care. Our nine-month apprenticeship program prepares entry-level dental assistants to support our dental providers or specialists in our Bourne, Falmouth and Mashpee locations, while they continue to work at CHC in a matched role with current skills and experience. The training combines a self-paced online education program and on the job trained clinical experience here at Community Health Center. Maintaining a consistent and reliable attendance record in your position at CHC will be required. After completing the program, students will earn a Dental Assisting Certificate and have the knowledge, skills and experience needed to apply for the Massachusetts dental assistant license and work as a licensed dental assistant at Community Health Center.

The apprenticeship program is just one way Community Health Center seeks to meet future workforce challenges and invest in its employees. We will pay the program tuition as well as the employee’s current salary and benefits throughout the program. Community Health Center will facilitate and pay for the licensure testing and once the certification exam is passed, participants will receive an upgrade in title and an increase in pay to reflect their new credential, commensurate with experience and specialty. In return, apprentices commit to staying with Community Health Center for two years beyond the externship as a full-time dental assistant.

All applicants to the CHC DA Apprenticeship Program must meet the following basic requirements:

• 18 years of age or older •

High School Diploma or equivalent

• Dental office experience or training strongly preferred

• New or current CHC employee in good standing seeking a clinical career pathway