SANFORD - Central Carolina Community College has been named among the nation's top Veterinary Technician and Dental Hygienist schools, according to The Best Colleges website.

CCCC's Veterinary Technician program was ranked 12th nationally - and the only North Carolina school to rank among the top 12. There are nearly 200 Veterinary Medical Technical programs in the U.S.

"Our Veterinary Technician is a rigorous program, but our faculty have a great passion for the profession and prepare our students well for jobs," said Dr. Brian Merritt, CCCC Vice President of Learning & Workforce Development. "The addition of our new Veterinary building will provide a great program with access top-notch facilities with expanded classroom, lab, and kennel space. The future is bright for our Vet Tech program!"

CCCC's Dental Hygienist program was ranked 18th nationally - and the only North Carolina school to rank among the top 18. There are 331 accredited Dental Hygiene programs in the U.S., according to the American Dental Association.

"Our Dental Hygiene and Assisting programs have barely been around 10 years, but they have quickly grown a reputation for being one of the best," said Merritt. "The faculty are passionate, creative, and engaging with the ways they help students learn, and most importantly, our graduates are getting great local jobs. The program being relocated to a brand-new facility on Lee Main Campus in 2018 in the Keller Health Sciences Building is exciting for the faculty and the students."

The CCCC Veterinary Medical Technology program was the first of its kind in NC. Since 1974, the program has been accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). The program is designed to be completed in two years and is offered exclusively during weekday classes at the Lee Main Campus in Sanford.

"The Central Carolina Community College Veterinary Medical Technology (VMT) program is the perfect opportunity for students to receive an education that allows them to be an integral part of the veterinary team," said Lisa Baker Godfrey, CCCC Dean of Health Sciences and Human Services. "Registered Veterinary Technicians are the backbone of every veterinary practice and they provide quality care in partnership with the veterinarian. The VMT profession provides graduates the unique opportunity to perform a variety of tasks from direct care to laboratory and office duties. I am incredibly proud of the national recognition that our VMT program has received. Our faculty is dedicated to putting learning first and supporting student success through the use of emerging technology and practice advancements."

Central Carolina Community College's Dental Programs provide top-quality training for careers as a dental hygienist or dental assistant. These are well-paying careers for those who enjoy working closely with patients, helping them achieve and maintain good oral health. The programs are accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Graduates are prepared to sit national and state accreditation exams and clinical boards to receive their licenses to practice.

"The Central Carolina Community College Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs prepare students for entry into professions that provide the opportunity to make a difference in people's lives and a great return on their investment," said Godfrey. "I am excited that our programs have been recognized nationally for the hard work and dedication that our faculty devote to providing the best learning experience for our students, as well as the effort and sacrifices that our students make while becoming licensed dental hygiene professionals and certified dental assisting professionals. Our programs are a critical component of creating dental professionals who can assist, as a member of the dental team, in increasing access to care for the underserved individuals who reside in our communities."

For more information on Central Carolina Community College's Veterinary Medical Technology or Dental programs, contact Admissions Counselor Daniel Berndt at dbern509@cccc.edu or by telephone at 919-718-7234.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College, visit the college website at www.cccc.edu.