Irvine, Calif.-based Pacific Dental Services is starting several initiatives to support dental assistants in honor of Dental Assistants Recognition Week in March.
The DSO plans to donate $14,000 to Concorde Career Colleges in support of dental assisting education nationwide and will invite dental assisting students from several schools to visit the DSO's support center for CAD/CAM training bootcamps. Pacific Dental Services and Concorde Career Colleges are partnering to provide community service at volunteer events and create hygiene kits for homeless shelters. PDS officials will also speak with students during a dental assistant career fair at Concorde Career College in Grand Prairie, Texas, and will attend board meetings at two Charter College campuses to discuss dental assisting curriculum and industry updates.
Pacific Dental Services said it is in the final year of its three-year plan to invest $5 million in support of its dental assistants. The DSO is also continuing its college advancement program for team members launched last year. PDS also provides funds through the Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship.
Pacific Dental Services supports more than 2,700 dentists in more than 900 dental offices in 25 states.