Fortis Celebrates "Dental Assistants Recognition Week"

BALTIMORE, March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- March 6-12 is national Dental Assistants Recognition Week. "Dental Assistants: Patient focused with Passion and Purpose" is the theme for the 40th annual Dental Assistants Recognition Week.

Fortis stands in partnership with the American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) to celebrate Dental Assistants Recognition Week. Throughout the week, Fortis Colleges and Institutes will celebrate students who are part of the school's Dental Assistant Program. The work these students do following graduation will help many community residents maintain good oral health and a great smile. 

As the field of dental assisting expands, so do the responsibilities for these professionals. The scope of their practice and duties have dental assistants playing a bigger oral health role in the 21^st Century. Dental assistants today not only sit in with practicing dentists, they take x-rays, help manage a practice's business office, and even learn the insurance side of patient care while being asked to help dentists in a variety of ways. 

"Fortis dental assistant training programs provide our students hands-on strategies and techniques to work in the treatment or operation room directly with the dentist," said Fortis Vice President of Education Dr. Eric Goodman.  "Upon completion of our dental assistant training program, graduates will have received the training and skills for entry-level employment opportunities as a dental assistant in a variety of work environments."

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says more than 58,000 new openings for dental assistants are expected through 2024. That amounts to 18-percent employment growth, which is much faster than the average for many professions. U.S. News & World Report suggests there are several reasons for that growth, including the fact current generations take better care of their teeth than their parents or their grandparents by regularly visiting a dental office. The publication also reports expanded health coverage has led to patient growth, which should drive demand for dental assistants in dentists' offices and outpatient care centers. 

Fortis offers Dental Assisting programs at 21 college and institute campuses in 13 states. Interested candidates should visit www.fortis.edu to learn more and find the campus nearest to them offering the program.

About Fortis

A post-secondary network of colleges and institutes that engages students in experiential learning and training programs, Fortis delivers focused individual career education experiences: Your Life. Powered by Learning. The Fortis network offers career-based certificate, diploma and degree-granting programs at more than 40 schools in 15 states. Fortis College and Institute campuses prepare students for careers in healthcare, business and technology and various trades. Fortis also offers online learning platforms for many of its programs. Each Fortis campus is accredited by a nationally recognized body. Program offerings and accreditations vary by campus. Fortis is affiliated with the Denver School of Nursing, St. Paul's School of Nursing and All-State Career School. For consumer disclosure information, visit www.fortis.edu to learn more about Fortis educational opportunities.

SOURCE Fortis