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Dental Support Services at Danville Community College

Danville, VA · Public · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a compact campus enrolling 1,371 students in Danville, VA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $28,405/yr fall 22% below the $36,429 national median for Dental Support Services. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 61.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Dental Support Services career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #224 ranking among 513 Dental Support Services programs places Danville Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Dental Support Services careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $28,405/yr (-22% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$297K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
61.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
4 of 4
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,848
Out-of-state: $10,851

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Dental Support Services graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620 +17.3% 52%
Dental hygienists $94,260 +7.0% 81%
Dental laboratory technicians $48,310 -4.7% 96%
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
$105,620
+17.3% growth 52% AI-proof
Dental hygienists
$94,260
+7.0% growth 81% AI-proof
Dental laboratory technicians
$48,310
-4.7% growth 96% AI-proof

View all 4 career paths with full salary data →

About Dental Support Services Careers

Your career will likely begin chairside as a dental assistant. You’ll be the dentist’s right hand, preparing treatment rooms, sterilizing instruments, passing tools during procedures, and operating the suction hose. You'll also be a key patient contact, taking X-rays and making people feel at ease. Many professionals use this experience as a launchpad, returning to school to become a dental hygienist.

Read the full Dental Support Services career guide →

Compare & Explore

Dental Support Services Overview

View all 513 schools offering Dental Support Services →

Dental Support Services at Other Schools

Chabot College ($85,175) Shoreline Community College ($78,372) Community College of Denver ($76,712) Cabrillo College ($74,741) Concorde Career College-San Bernardino ($73,660) Concorde Career College-Garden Grove ($72,160) Pima Medical Institute-Tucson ($71,216) Pima Medical Institute-Seattle ($71,216)

Other Majors at Danville Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($70,615) Electrical and Power Transmission Installers ($62,468) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($57,533) Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians ($55,860) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($30,549) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($28,056) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($25,887)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 53/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Dental Support Services at Danville Community College?
This program scores 53/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Dental Support Services graduates.
Is Danville Community College a good choice for Dental Support Services despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Danville Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Dental Support Services?
Dental Support Services connects to 4 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Dental Support Services workers?
With approximately 99,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Dental Support Services offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →