In dentistry, a ‘kind of renaissance’
Dental assistants expand what’s possible
A passion for learning, fueled by immense hustle, set three OneWorld dental assistants on a path of advanced training and an expanded career trajectory.
Alejandra Iniguez, Grecia Lara Becerril and Brianda Ramos Lopez saw an opportunity when new courses opened in Nebraska that would allow them to pursue the requirements needed to practice as Expanded Function Dental Assistants.
The journey included multiple classes, exams and becoming Licensed Dental Assistants – all necessary steps before adding expanded functions.
“Being able to do extra duties, like taking final impressions, adjusting dentures, cementing stainless steel crowns on primary teeth and turning on nitrous oxide – that’s the course that we took [between steps],” Iniguez said. “So we’re just collecting all the achievements. Anything I can grab to make it happen.”
Professional growth is a core principle at OneWorld. In the dental department, for example, assistants can follow a progression as their skills and experience develop. Support and funding from Direct Relief helped make the expanded function training for Iniguez, Lara Becerril and Ramos Lopez possible. Dental Director Brian Penly, DDS, said implementing this ability to level up marks a “kind of renaissance” in dentistry, bringing it into alignment with other medical fields.
“We’ve also made inroads into providing this career path for other people too,” said Dental Director Brian Penly, DDS. “And part of a good business, I think, is looking out for your employees and letting them lead a better life. That’s a goal, you know: being more challenged.”
For Iniguez, OneWorld offers not just an opportunity to challenge herself, but also to work in an environment that is meaningful for her. Before joining OneWorld about seven years ago, she shadowed at other dental offices that weren’t the right fit. Meanwhile, she had a hunch that OneWorld –where family members have gone for care, and near where she grew up and went to school – would be the perfect place for her.
“It’s that part of the community that I’m familiar with, and I felt confident that I can give patients the care that they need in their preferred language,” she said. “So I felt that would be here, that I can accomplish those goals while also maintaining my personal goals of, I want to advance in this field.”
In addition to earning her Expanded Function Dental Assistant designation, Iniguez also recently took on a new role: Dental Assistant Trainer. This role helps standardize the on-the-job training dental assistants receive at OneWorld, so that everyone receives essential and current information regardless of clinical location.
“When I applied to OneWorld, my objective was to become a well-rounded dental assistant,” she said. “I think when the dental assistant trainer position opened, I said, I think I’ve met that, so let me now teach or help other people achieve their goals. Whether they want to be well-rounded, or whatever their goals are, hopefully I have enough experience to give somebody else all the knowledge that I’ve learned so far.”
While Iniguez is still new to her current role, she’s ready for this next level. Thanks to the commitment and training she has pursued, alongside colleagues Lara Becerril and Ramos Lopez, OneWorld patients will continue to benefit from growing expertise and quality of care.