While it’s not always possible to have the latest technology in the classroom, that’s what field trips are for.
This March, a group of dental assisting students from American Career College-Orange County got a chance to learn about a new digital dentistry system at the Pacific Dental Services Regional Office in the city of Orange.
ACC-Orange County dental assisting program director Cecilia Cabrera said 18 students from the morning class were present at the event, led by DA instructor Claudia Kim and externship coordinator Deborah Taylor, who organized the excursion.
Called CEREC, the computer-aided design and manufacturing system cuts down patient waiting time and eliminates the need for creating or using temporary crowns. Instead of waiting two weeks to have their permanent crowns, veneers or inlays made, patients can now have them the same day.
“It is a new technology that is not required by the Dental Board of California for our program to physically have in our lab, but it is very important for our students to get exposed on what it is and how to use it,” Cabrera said. “Not all dental offices have it due to the cost of the equipment, but thanks to our wonderful instructors, our students were able to see it in the field and now they can include this training experience on their resume.”
While at PDS, the cohort worked on the software and created a patient’s crown. Pacific Dental Services speakers also talked about the importance of teamwork, and how the main thing they are looking for in new hires is a good and friendly personality.
“Pacific Dental Services has multiple offices, not just in California,” Cabrera said. “There’s opportunity for career growth and if you wanted to work in another state — and they have facilities available in that state — the employee has priority for transfer there.”
