Fresno anchors the Central Valley's dental care market — hundreds of general practices, pediatric offices, orthodontic clinics, and oral surgery groups serve a metro of more than a million people.
Dental assistants keep those practices running, combining chairside clinical work with radiography and patient care in a role that trains in well under a year.
For Central Valley students, dental assisting is one of the most direct routes into hands-on healthcare with the weekday schedules most clinical careers can't offer.
Imagine America has partnered with Carrington College in Fresno, CA — a 34,000-square-foot campus from a college that began in 1967 training dental and medical assistants. Carrington is institutionally accredited by the ACCJC.
About Imagine America Foundation (IAF)
The Imagine America Foundation (IAF) is a nonprofit organization supporting students pursuing career-oriented education at recognized trade schools and career colleges across the U.S. Since 1982, the Foundation has helped students navigate the financial aspects of technical and vocational training.
IAF provides scholarship programs including the Imagine America High School Scholarship for graduating seniors, the Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP) for adult learners, and the Military Award Program (MAP) for veterans. The Foundation also offers financial literacy guidance, career exploration tools, and resources for choosing the right program.
Over $10 million in tuition assistance is provided annually to students attending career and technical colleges nationwide.
Start Your Dental Assisting Career with Carrington College
Carrington's Dental Assisting program in Fresno prepares students for chairside careers through hands-on lab training and a clinical externship, covering the assisting, radiography, and office skills dental practices hire for.
- Certificate program completable in under a year
- Hands-on lab training with dental operatory equipment
- Clinical externship at a working dental practice
- Part of Carrington's healthcare campus — with medical, pharmacy, and surgical tech programs on site
What You'll Learn
Training covers chairside assisting, dental instruments and materials, sterilization and infection control, dental radiography, and impressions — building from campus lab practice to a real-practice externship.
Credentials
Graduates earn a certificate of achievement and are prepared to pursue the certifications and radiography requirements California dental employers look for. Carrington's admissions team can walk you through the state's current requirements.
A Healthcare Campus
Carrington Fresno also offers Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, Surgical Technology, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary programs — a full allied health environment with shared labs and employer relationships across the Valley.
Career Outlook in the Central Valley
Fresno's dental practices consistently hire trained assistants, and California employs more dental assistants than any other state. Assistants who add radiography qualifications and externship experience are the most competitive candidates.
Training Services
- Chairside Dental Assisting
- Dental Instruments & Materials
- Sterilization & Infection Control
- Dental Radiography
- Impressions & Laboratory Procedures
- Dental Office Administration
- Campus Dental Lab Training
- Clinical Externship
Take the First Step Toward Your Career Today
A strong foundation from the right training program sets the stage for a successful career. Explore training programs, meet expert instructors, and discover how quality education can lead to a rewarding future.
Start Your Dental Career TodayFrequently Asked Questions
How long is the Dental Assisting program at Carrington Fresno?
The certificate program is designed to be completed in under a year, combining campus lab training with a clinical externship. Contact admissions for current schedule options.
Is Carrington College accredited?
Yes. Carrington College is institutionally accredited by the ACCJC and has trained dental and medical assistants since its founding in 1967.
What does a dental assistant do?
Dental assistants work chairside with dentists — preparing patients and instruments, assisting during procedures, taking X-rays where qualified, and managing sterilization and patient records.
Are scholarships available for Carrington Fresno dental students?
Yes. Imagine America Foundation scholarships are available to qualifying high school seniors attending Carrington College. Create a free profile to see what you qualify for.
