Margaret M. Camden and Starla Bowman RDH, BSDH @ Seattle Central College
More details on the Dental Assistant Program
More details on the Dental Hygiene Program
Slides
Margaret Camden - Faculty at Seattle Central College, previously Dental Clinic Manager, Dental Assistant
Margaret Camden was introduced to the dental profession by her uncle. He was a dentist, and when she was a freshman in high school she worked in his office. This was her paid job through high school. She also worked as a camp councilor during the summer as she liked working with kids. When she was a junior in high school she started to volunteer at a local hospital.
After high school, Margaret studied to be an occupational therapist for two years, but eventually realized she missed dentistry. She then attended an accredited program to become a dental assistant. She started working in a pediatrics office. When she was 22 she got married to an army officer, and knew that she would be moving a lot in her new life. However the advantage of being a qualified dental assistant meant that she could work anywhere!
When she came to Seattle she became a dental clinic manager. Now Margaret teaches at the Seattle College in the Dental Assistant program.
More details on the Dental Assistant Program
More details on the Dental Hygiene Program
Slides
Margaret Camden - Faculty at Seattle Central College, previously Dental Clinic Manager, Dental Assistant
Margaret Camden was introduced to the dental profession by her uncle. He was a dentist, and when she was a freshman in high school she worked in his office. This was her paid job through high school. She also worked as a camp councilor during the summer as she liked working with kids. When she was a junior in high school she started to volunteer at a local hospital.
After high school, Margaret studied to be an occupational therapist for two years, but eventually realized she missed dentistry. She then attended an accredited program to become a dental assistant. She started working in a pediatrics office. When she was 22 she got married to an army officer, and knew that she would be moving a lot in her new life. However the advantage of being a qualified dental assistant meant that she could work anywhere!
When she came to Seattle she became a dental clinic manager. Now Margaret teaches at the Seattle College in the Dental Assistant program.
What is the role of a dental assistant?
- They try to make the patients relax and reduce stress and tension of visiting the dental office.
- They have to have good communication skills as they need to clearly communicate with patients and other staff members.
- It's helpful to be comfortable working with kids.
- They are critical assistants to the dentists and provide services such as
Starla Bowman is a registered dental hygienist, and currently teaches at Seattle College in the Dental Hygiene program.
When Starla was in high school she wasn’t sure what she wanted to be, she considered accounting and psychology. She was a pretty good student at science, but she says she wasn't an all 'A' type of science student. Before going to college her father told her to be an accountant. She started at Washington Central University in Ellensburg on a business degree, however she kept switching out of business classes to take science classes. In the end she switched to a science degree. She worked at Sears selling shoes for a year after college and was living at home. She then got a job as a dental assistant, and liked it and decided she wanted to become a dental hygienist, which would require her completing a 4 year degree.
The program involved lots of science classes, which she loved. There were several work placement requirements.
She started by working in a private practice, and then worked in community health centers. A community health center provides opportunities for those that don't have access to private health facilities. She's now an educator and enjoys teaching in the dental hygiene program.
She has also worked with Smiles Forever, which is a non-profit organization that helps people in rural and overseas locations.
- They try to make the patients relax and reduce stress and tension of visiting the dental office.
- They have to have good communication skills as they need to clearly communicate with patients and other staff members.
- It's helpful to be comfortable working with kids.
- They are critical assistants to the dentists and provide services such as
- Managing instruments and suction
- Applying temporary fillings, crowns, and sealants
- Performing x-rays
- Providing home care instructions
Starla Bowman is a registered dental hygienist, and currently teaches at Seattle College in the Dental Hygiene program.
When Starla was in high school she wasn’t sure what she wanted to be, she considered accounting and psychology. She was a pretty good student at science, but she says she wasn't an all 'A' type of science student. Before going to college her father told her to be an accountant. She started at Washington Central University in Ellensburg on a business degree, however she kept switching out of business classes to take science classes. In the end she switched to a science degree. She worked at Sears selling shoes for a year after college and was living at home. She then got a job as a dental assistant, and liked it and decided she wanted to become a dental hygienist, which would require her completing a 4 year degree.
The program involved lots of science classes, which she loved. There were several work placement requirements.
She started by working in a private practice, and then worked in community health centers. A community health center provides opportunities for those that don't have access to private health facilities. She's now an educator and enjoys teaching in the dental hygiene program.
She has also worked with Smiles Forever, which is a non-profit organization that helps people in rural and overseas locations.
Dental hygienists can also work in nursing or elderly homes, or with people with disabilities. This sometimes means they will have their own business as visiting practitioners.
Currently Seattle College offer a Bachelor program. It requires 2 years of prerequisites, and 2 years of focus on dental hygiene. There are 4 exams at the end of the course which includes doing fillings and local anesthetics.
The pay is good, and in this area it can be $40-60 an hour. They both advise, you must want to be in the dental business to do this job! You need to like working with people, have a good interest in science, and working in the community - and you have to have a genuine interest in the work. People who start the course because they think it is an easy way to a good paying job never last the courses.
In future there may be a new role of Dental Therapist. This would be similar to a physician's assistant, such that the Dental Therapist would be able to prepare and do simple fillings, extractions, and interpret x-rays, and work with a dentist remotely.
Currently Seattle College offer a Bachelor program. It requires 2 years of prerequisites, and 2 years of focus on dental hygiene. There are 4 exams at the end of the course which includes doing fillings and local anesthetics.
The pay is good, and in this area it can be $40-60 an hour. They both advise, you must want to be in the dental business to do this job! You need to like working with people, have a good interest in science, and working in the community - and you have to have a genuine interest in the work. People who start the course because they think it is an easy way to a good paying job never last the courses.
In future there may be a new role of Dental Therapist. This would be similar to a physician's assistant, such that the Dental Therapist would be able to prepare and do simple fillings, extractions, and interpret x-rays, and work with a dentist remotely.