Dental students that want pursue careers as dental hygienists or dental assistants can find both programs available in Charlotte at the Central Piedmont Community College. A bit further out, students will find a two-year program dental hygienist program less than an hour drive northwest of Charlotte at Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory.
Although the state of North Carolina does not provide employment projections for dentists (general practitioners or specialists), the state’s Employment Security Commission has projected an annual increase in new jobs for dental hygienists and dental assistants of 4.4% and 4.3%, respectively, for 2002 through 2012. The occupations are two of the three fastest growing positions for new jobs in the state. The commission reports that 7,400 dental hygienists will be employed by 2012, up from 7,810 in 2002. The number of dental assistants is expected to be 9,010, up from 5,890 in 2002.
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