For a dental assistant, excellence on the job means a thorough understanding of dental care procedures and staying a step ahead of the dentist.
“My goal is that the dentist doesn’t have to ask me for an instrument – I’ve already put it into his or her hand,” says Blake Smith, dental assistant at CHP Neighborhood Dental Center (NDC) in Pittsfield.
In fact, Blake Smith is so skilled at his job that in June, he won first place at the National Leadership & Conference and Skills USA Championship. The event, which took place in Atlanta, is tied to vocational and trade schools and programs around the U.S.
Just prior to Atlanta, Blake won the Massachusetts competition. In each he competed against 40 dental assistant peers.
“CHP now has the best dental assistant in the U.S., working right here at Neighborhood Dental Center alongside our excellent dental care team,” said Nicole Wilkinson, who is CHP’s director of dental operations.
Seeing his excellent techniques, Wilkinson hired Blake just two days into his training rotation at NDC, which was part of his vocational program at McCann Technical School in North Adams.
Blake, who is 32, had been an occupational therapy assistant until deciding on a career change to dental assisting. He found the training he needed at McCann.
SkillsUSA, according to its website, is “a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce…A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school, and college/post-secondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations.”
SkillsUSA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor as a successful model for employer-driven youth development training.
The Skills USA competition tests contestants in fields ranging from robotics to manufacturing technology, criminal justice, firefighting, and bakery and pastry arts. Digital cinema production, carpentry, and automotive service are among the many skills measured in the competition.
Blake had to demonstrate his skills in instrument passing, high-volume evacuator placement (suction), retraction, illumination, and other skills dentists need at their side as they do dental procedures—not unlike the skills a surgical technician brings to an operating room.
“I love this job, and working at CHP brings me great joy, knowing that I’m helping to provide health care and dentistry to my community,” said Blake. “I feel pride knowing that I’m making a difference alongside dentists I work with and with this excellent dental care team at NDC.”