School districts provide local solutions to dental staffing shortages

Staffing shortages are plaguing industries of all kinds, and the dental field is no exception. To help address the lack of qualified dental professionals, local school districts and dentists are offering dental assisting programs that provide high school students the opportunity to earn school credit and work experience through courses, job shadowing and internships (some paid). The result: students can leave school prepared for a well-paying career in a sought-after field.   

Gail Enmark, director of the Boise School District’s dental assisting program located at the Dennis Technical Education Center, said that the shortages are a result of two things.  

She said, “All across the country dental practices are experiencing staffing shortages due to effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and ‘the great resignation.’ This makes it hard for dental offices to meet the high demand for dental care they’re experiencing due to growth in the Treasure Valley and across the state.” 

Nampa School District (NSD) is also actively involved in training the next generation of dental professionals. The district offers both dental assisting classes to train students, and an ICAT Dental Clinic, which is open to community members and provides industry-certified dental care for people with dental concerns in the Nampa community. NSD dental assisting students get real life training, performing work under the supervision of licensed dental professionals. 

Crisha Bollinger, director of the NSD’s dental assisting program at Skyview High School, said that this year, the program has 67 dental assisting students completing training in the Fundamentals of Dental Assisting program. The program has been in operation for the last 20 years and utilizes a state-provided curriculum.  

The Junior Dental Assisting course is designed as an introduction to dental careers and dental assisting, specifically. Instruction topics include dental law and ethics, prevention of dental diseases and delivery or care of dental procedures, including dental specialties and impressions. The Senior Dental Assisting course builds on the dental materials and impressions and requires 30-40 hours of clinical observation experience in local dental offices.  

In addition, all students provide patient care in the ICAT clinic. Bollinger anticipates scheduling at least one or two clinics each month, which will offer exams, x-rays, cleanings for adults and kids and fillings.  

“Most students are interested in being a dental assistant or going on and working as a dental assistant while they attend dental hygiene school or even dental school,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to be introduced to the field and see if it’s something they enjoy and hopefully learn to love. There are many opportunities for them to pursue in the dental field. As students graduate with their Fundamentals of Dental Assisting Certificate, they can be employed in local dental practices. They are also eligible to sit for the Dental Assisting National Board ‘NELDA’ exam: (National Entry-Level Dental Assistant) and can be eligible to apply for dental assisting positions nationally.  Students are taking the skills they are learning in the classroom and applying these skills to a real-world setting.”   

Local dentists are also involved in providing training to address the shortage. For example, Dr. Kim Keller of Nampa Smiles provides paid on-the-job training for those looking to establish a career in dental assisting. He is also involved with the Nampa School District, where he teaches in the dental assisting program.  

Bollinger said, “We are trying to meet the needs of our schools and community by providing this dental service. Not only does it help provide dental care for those who need it, but students also receive hands-on training that prepares them for a future career.”