The Ribbon is Cut!
Along with approximately 75 DCDS members and friends, Mayor Robert Dye of Farmers Branch was on hand to assist Dr. Hilton Israelson in the ribbon cutting that marked the grand opening of the DCDS Dental Assisting School (DCDSDAS). Denco Construction sponsored the grand opening, which included self-tours of the facilities and presentation by Dr. Israelson.
The DCDS Dental Assisting School will begin its inaugural program June 12 to prepare students for a career as a dental assistant. The program runs for 12 weeks, with classroom/lab hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays and an active externship program where students will be placed with DCDS member dentists to complete required hands-on assisting hours.
DCDSDAS provides foundational knowledge to prepare students to satisfy additional training and testing requirements of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners in CPR, radiographs (x-rays) and monitoring nitrous oxide conscious sedation. The school’s new state-of-the-art facility features four fully equipped treatment rooms with cutting edge dental technology, a fully equipped laboratory, a hi-tech sterilization area and digital radiography including DexisTM and OrthopantomographTM technology.
Ashley Smith, RDA, CDA, is the School’s Program Director. She has 15 years of experience as a certified dental assistant in both general and specialty dental offices. Ashley is passionate about dental health and loves to inspire others to reach their goals when pursuing a career as a dental healthcare professional. “A career as a dental assistant offers many challenges,” explains Ashley. “The DCDS Dental Assisting School prepares you to meet those challenges and to gain personal satisfaction in your career.”
The school is a subsidiary of Dallas County Dental Society (DCDS), a professional association for licensed Texas dentists in Dallas County committed to the enhancement of the public’s oral health education and dental well-being. Established in 1908, DCDS is the chartered local component society of the Texas Dental Association and the American Dental Association. DCDS is the first dental society in the United States to open a dental assisting school as a service for its members.
Jane Evans, Executive Director of DCDS, explains the purpose in opening the school. “Our 1350 member dentists located in Dallas County are looking for dental assistants who know more than just the basics and who are trained to work as part of a dental team. In 12 weeks, and with minimal cost, DCDSDAS can provide a career that offers variety, flexibility, opportunity and challenge.”