Dental assistants train at Pope dental clinic Published Feb. 26, 2007 By Nicole Campbell Staff Writer POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The dental clinic motto is "Healthy smiles with a smile," so it's no surprise to see the staff and American Red Cross volunteers smiling. The volunteers are likely smiling because they are taking part in free, fast-paced training to become certified dental assistants, provided by the Pope dental clinic and the Red Cross. Upon completion of the six-month dental assistant training program, participants may seek employment in military or civilian clinics. Several times a year, interested applicants are interviewed for the competitive placement. Most recently, six military spouses, five Army and one Air Force, were chosen from a field of about 100 to participate in the program. Tina Ballriech, an Army spouse, had applied for the training opportunity once before, and was a runner-up in the selection process. This time she made it through. She said she was nervous during the first interview, but was confident she would be chosen during the second. The current Red Cross dental assistant training began six weeks ago in the classroom with a two-week introduction to teeth anatomy, charting, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and instruments. Today, and for the next four-and-a-half months, the training is all hands-on. Once in the clinic, trainees shadow military dental technicians and are later able to begin rotations with each dentist. They can also sterilize equipment and work at the front desk and radiology. They must complete 3,500 hours of hands-on training to receive a "Dental Assistant I" certification. The lone Air Force spouse in the program, Lisa Dudgeon, said she wanted to learn a trade she could use no matter where her husband is stationed. The program has also helped her meet people and make new friends, she said. She reflected on some lessons she has learned. "I'm amazed at what we can do to help people, and with the technology the things that can be repaired. We don't just have to pull teeth," Mrs. Dudgeon said. There are many technical aspects to a dental assistant's job, and sitting chair-side during a procedure is a balancing act. Even a simple filling requires skill, speed and knowledge. At the least, an assistant must hold a suction tube with one hand and give and take instruments with the other. And, the assistant should know what the dentist will ask for, before he asks for it -- and still be ready for the unexpected. An assistant also has a role beyond handing dental instruments or cleaning up after a procedure; both Army spouse Nicole James and Mrs. Dudgeon said they help keep patients calm when needed. "An assistant is not as threatening to a patient as a dentist might be. I put people at ease by being sympathetic," said Mrs. Dudgeon. Mrs. James said the first few times she assisted, she was nervous but tried not to let the patient know it. "After I got through the procedure, everything was great. Now it's a lot easier," she said. Some of the Red Cross trainees said they would like to be hired by one of the many local military clinics, but there are not many positions available and there are many people to compete against. The competition (and sometimes job requirements) encourage dental assistants to enroll in continuing education courses, or to receive additional certifications.