Leiah J. Hensley, EDDA!!!!!!!!
As of today I am proud to say that I have successfully passed dental assisting school with flying colors! This is a post I wish I could do later because of lack of resources (being at work and all). I'll include the pics and whatever later, but I really just want to take this time to brag on me. I HAVE CREDENTIALS FOR CRYIN' OUT AS LOUD AS I POSSIBLY CAN!!!!
My adventure began on August 8, 2007 when I walked into the Academy of Dental Assisting for orientation to my clinical assisting class. I anxiously snagged a seat in the front (one out of three were occupied while the second and third rows were completely filled!) and awaited the beginning of my new career training. The following 8 weeks I mastered the tooth numbers and surfaces, tofflemire and matrix band combination complete with rubber dam, X-ray safety and technique, dental instruments names and passing them, impressions (taking, pouring, and trimming), proper safety guidelines for myself, patients and the dental office according to OSHA...and maybe a few more little things. October 10, 2007 I was diligently tested in these areas and was almost certified to work as a chairside dental assistant (A 40 hour internship was the last requirement I had to meet before actually receiving certification). I am not positive of my exact grade but I believe it was in the 90th percentile.
October 10th was also the day I began my business dental assisting class. That one was not as exciting as clinical but still very informative and my teacher was really great. We learned all about how to answer the phone, insurance claims and codes, collecting money, scheduling and dental computer software....a bunch of stuff that I don't want to do for a living, but am glad to have a better understanding of. It will also be very beneficial to an office that I am cross-trained.
Last but certainly not least, Expanded Duties! This class was extremely fun. There were only four students (two of which were in clinical class with me) and our teacher was HAlarious. Here we learned about the handpieces, otherwise known as drills, and all the different burs that go with the handpieces, but my favorite part of all was when we learned how to place fillings! Amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth colored), and how to polish them up so they look nice and pretty. We also learned how to make temporary crowns and bridges. This class was so fun because we actually got to use the instruments and handpieces to create dental masterpieces. So today was the day that I took my final for this class and I am incredibly proud to say that my overall grade is...you'd better sit down...95%!!!! What exactly does that mean for me? I am an expanded duties dental assistant and, well, my official title from now until forever is LEIAH J. HENSLEY, E.D.D.A.
I'm proud and my accomplishments were showered upon me when I arrived home from Louisville where I spent 3 days this week completing my internship hours. Matt informed me that he had a surprise for me before I came home. I thought it was flowers and I was right, but, little did I know that when I walked through my back door I would be greeted by all of my certificates, framed and on display on the kitchen table accompanied by the flowers, a box of chocolate covered cherries, and a card from Matt telling me how proud he is of me for working so hard and doing so well. Man, it feels good! Now I have to find a job...
My adventure began on August 8, 2007 when I walked into the Academy of Dental Assisting for orientation to my clinical assisting class. I anxiously snagged a seat in the front (one out of three were occupied while the second and third rows were completely filled!) and awaited the beginning of my new career training. The following 8 weeks I mastered the tooth numbers and surfaces, tofflemire and matrix band combination complete with rubber dam, X-ray safety and technique, dental instruments names and passing them, impressions (taking, pouring, and trimming), proper safety guidelines for myself, patients and the dental office according to OSHA...and maybe a few more little things. October 10, 2007 I was diligently tested in these areas and was almost certified to work as a chairside dental assistant (A 40 hour internship was the last requirement I had to meet before actually receiving certification). I am not positive of my exact grade but I believe it was in the 90th percentile.
October 10th was also the day I began my business dental assisting class. That one was not as exciting as clinical but still very informative and my teacher was really great. We learned all about how to answer the phone, insurance claims and codes, collecting money, scheduling and dental computer software....a bunch of stuff that I don't want to do for a living, but am glad to have a better understanding of. It will also be very beneficial to an office that I am cross-trained.
Last but certainly not least, Expanded Duties! This class was extremely fun. There were only four students (two of which were in clinical class with me) and our teacher was HAlarious. Here we learned about the handpieces, otherwise known as drills, and all the different burs that go with the handpieces, but my favorite part of all was when we learned how to place fillings! Amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth colored), and how to polish them up so they look nice and pretty. We also learned how to make temporary crowns and bridges. This class was so fun because we actually got to use the instruments and handpieces to create dental masterpieces. So today was the day that I took my final for this class and I am incredibly proud to say that my overall grade is...you'd better sit down...95%!!!! What exactly does that mean for me? I am an expanded duties dental assistant and, well, my official title from now until forever is LEIAH J. HENSLEY, E.D.D.A.
I'm proud and my accomplishments were showered upon me when I arrived home from Louisville where I spent 3 days this week completing my internship hours. Matt informed me that he had a surprise for me before I came home. I thought it was flowers and I was right, but, little did I know that when I walked through my back door I would be greeted by all of my certificates, framed and on display on the kitchen table accompanied by the flowers, a box of chocolate covered cherries, and a card from Matt telling me how proud he is of me for working so hard and doing so well. Man, it feels good! Now I have to find a job...
posted by Leiah @ 7:43 PM
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