According to the U.S. Department of Labor, dental assisting is one of the fastest-growing medical careers, with demand expected to grow steadily over the next several years. Because of this, a long-established dental office is now offering a new training opportunity for people looking to benefit from this dental assisting industry boom.

Drs. David and Patti Bradley, owners of Lake Oconee Dentistry, are opening a training school for anyone interested in becoming a dental assistant. Assist to Succeed Lake Oconee is currently enrolling students for a new 12-week session, which begins April 7^th.

“Many people find it difficult to break into dental assisting because the available programs are too expensive and take too long,” says Dr. David Bradley. “Assist to Succeed is a 12-week program that is held on Saturdays, which makes the training more convenient, efficient and economical for people looking to start a new career.”

The Assist to Succeed curriculum gives students hands-on training to become a successful dental assistant. Students receive 80 hours of lecture and lab with a practicing dentist in a fully-operational dental office. Additionally, students will also be able to learn and observe procedures at specialty offices. Students will earn their Georgia radiology certification and CPR certification as part of the course.

The Saturday classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Lake Oconee Dentistry office, located off Highway 44 in Greensboro, between the Publix parking lot and the movie theater. The dental assisting school is certified through the state of Georgia Non-Public Post Secondary Education Commission.

“Our graduates will be able to get a job dental assisting because they will have hands-on experience working with patients,” says Dr. Bradley. “Our ultimate goal is to get them hired, and we’re going to give them the tools they need to help make that happen.”

Assist to Succeed Lake Oconee will be holding an informational open house on Wednesday, March 21^st at 6 p.m., at the Lake Oconee Dentistry office. Those interested in attending the open house should call 706-347-2635 to reserve your spot, as space is limited. Those who attend the open house are eligible for $500 off tuition. Tuition includes books and supplies.

Drs. David and Patti Bradley opened Lake Oconee Dentistry in 1998. Since then, the practice has grown to include four dentists and 23 team members. In addition to providing standard preventive maintenance exams and professional cleanings, Lake Oconee Dentistry offers short-term orthodontics, cosmetic enhancements, dental implant placement and restoration, teeth whitening, and oral appliances for snoring and sleep apnea.  Lake Oconee Dentistry is proud to be recognized as the area’s “Best Dentist” by readers of The Lake Oconee Breeze for six years running. For the last two years, the practice received the additional awards of “Best Customer Service” and “Business of the Year.”