ADA President Dr. Chad Gehani toured DCDS Dental Assisting School (DCDSDAS) while on his trip to Dallas at the end of February. The school, which is a subsidiary of Dallas County Dental Society (DCDS), opened in June 2019 with the goal of providing a world-class dental assisting education to students.
While touring, Dr. Gehani was shown the school’s state-of-the-art facilities, which feature 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.
Jane Evans, Executive Director of DCDS, explains the component society’s main 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. DCDSDAS graduates have the knowledge and experience needed to step right in as an active part of a dental team. Having the school helps fulfill the DCDS mission ‘to serve the professional needs of our members.’”
Students are provided 40+ hours of externship experience with DCDS member dentists, and are highly encouraged to interview for positions with member dentists once they graduate. As a member benefit, DCDS members are able to employ the graduating assistants with no placement fees.
DCDS is believed to be the first dental society in the United States to open a dental assisting school as a service for its members. In addition to the dental assisting program, the DCDSDAS building also houses a technology-rich Learning Center which provides state-of-the-art continuing education opportunities through both in-house and distance learning. Members have already enjoyed live broadcast of clinical procedures/surgeries during General Membership Meetings, and will soon have access to videos and podcasts emphasizing emerging dental technologies and innovative procedures. Other potential revenue building member benefits, such as 2D and 3D diagnostic imaging and dental assistant refresher courses, are also being explored.
