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Dental Support Services at Fortis Institute

Houston, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Dental Support Services and Allied Professions

a smaller institution with 332 students in Houston, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $19,835 place Fortis Institute below the $36,429 national median for Dental Support Services — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 34% 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.

At $13,000 against $19,835/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #466 ranking among 513 Dental Support Services programs places Fortis Institute in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 46% earnings increase from $19,835 to $28,861 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
36
Low End
40
Score
40
High End
Earnings $19,835/yr (-46% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (76% shielded)
Job Market Large (99,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$314K
9.8% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
7.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$28,861
46% growth from Year 1

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 Fortis Institute

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($36,726) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($35,034) Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions ($34,909) Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) ($30,110) Health and Medical Administrative Services ($23,887) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($23,420)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Dental Support Services degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Dental Support Services at Fortis Institute?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Dental Support Services. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Can you still earn well with Dental Support Services from Fortis Institute?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Dental Support Services through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Dental Support Services occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How sensitive is Dental Support Services to AI disruption?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 34% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
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 →