The Dental Academy is a CTE program at Central High School.  Its focus is to prepare students for career success through multiple career pathways.  By differentiating learning, valuing different student interests and talents; and adapting and responding to technology and workplace needs, our students will become industry certificated to meet the workplace readiness needs of the 21st century.

The Dental Academy at Central High School is designed for those students who desire to pursue a career in dentistry. The curriculum provides students with valuable learning experiences via field trips to hospitals and dental laboratories.  In addition, students are afforded opportunities to acquire college credits. Each year Central High School’s Dental Academy students (in grade 12) participate in an internship at Rutgers, Dental School.  The purpose of the internship program is to introduce our students to career opportunities in the field of dentistry.

Students that want a career in dentistry have four options from which to choose. You can be a dentist, a dental hygienist, a dental assistant or a dental technician.  Educational and licensing requirements differ for each of these careers in dentistry, as do duties and salaries. Dentists diagnose and treat problems with their patients’ teeth and mouth tissue. Dental Hygienists, generally working under the supervision of a dentist, provide patients with preventative dental care. Dental Assistants work alongside dentists, performing some patient care, but not the same tasks as dental hygienists. Dental Technicians specialize in making prosthetic devices such as crowns, dentures, bridges, and veneers.