At 42-years old, Justin Hicks had often taken the shotgun approach in his career selections. His work experience was scattered across many areas of interest and expertise. And he was good at anything he tried. But now he wanted to stick his landing in an area that might satisfy his curiosity, value his people-pleasing nature and challenge his intellect for the long-term.
Justin was a little surprised to find that Carrington College’s Dental Assisting program checked all the most important boxes: interesting work, people interaction, leadership potential and career growth. They had him at ‘open wide’.
Were you surprised to find yourself enrolling in a Dental Assisting program?
I knew I wanted a (career) change, and I was considering 3-4 options, including veterinary assistant, medical billing and coding, pharmacy technology and even becoming a masseuse. But after talking with Miss Erika (Dental Assisting program instructor at Carrington College Portland) and seeing her excitement after 25 years in the dental assisting field, I couldn’t see anything other than getting into this business.
I have 20-30 years left to work, so I wanted to make it something I really wanted to do. Plus, Dental Assistants are always needed, and these positions are not likely to go away anytime soon.
What is your personal feeling and experience about going to the dentist?
As a child, I’d had one bad experience going to the dentist and I wanted to make sure other children do not have that kind of experience. I want to be part of changing that outlook and having kids look forward to coming into our office.
What was your first impression of Carrington College’s Dental Assisting program?
When I first got there, I heard about the President’s List and Dean’s List, and I made it a priority to make those lists in every single term – all six of them – every time. It confirmed that I was understanding and following what I outlined I would do. I helped some of my classmates get on the Dean’s List and President’s List, too.
Did you get the instructor support you needed in the DA program?
I still look to Miss Erika for inspiration and her love for the dental field. She planted important seeds, and I hope to do that as well.
We students could sit in on other Dental Assisting classes, hear lectures and have more clinical times throughout our program. Teachers would tell us, “I want to see you in here making molds, temporary crowns and taking x-rays.” It was important to be able to actually perform a procedure correctly to move forward. I learned everything I needed to and exceeded my expectations.
What was one of the best things about your Dental Assisting program?
Carrington College sets you up to be a Dental Assistant. They give you all the knowledge to assist the dentist, but they also teach you what the EFDAs (Expanded Function Dental Assistants) do. If you take that test and earn that credential, your hourly income can go up.
Our labs were set up so we could take x-rays and anything else we would have to do in an actual dental clinic or lab. While you’re learning it, you’re able to actually perform it. I feel that I learned everything I needed to and exceeded my expectations. And I can drop into that class for a refresher any time, if I wanted.
Did you connect with fellow Dental Assisting students?
I became a mentor right away. I have a ‘teacher’ mentality, and this experience opened up a lot of avenues to me. I raised my hand a lot and was very engaging in class. Students would come to me at break time or message me in group chats and we’d talk through information or study issues. It’s nice to be able to help others and teaching them helped me absorb information more.
And, although I’m really enjoying what I’m doing right now (as a Dental Assistant), I think teaching is on the horizon.
What encouraged you to keep pushing forward?
I am a single father to a 7-yearr old daughter and am the best of friends with her mom and her mom’s husband. And, I have a genuine love for the dental field.
And there are so many possibilities that come with being a Dental Assistant. And I work well with good teams. As a former Pharmacy Technician, the medical field holds an attraction for me.
You recently completed your DA program with honors – where did you land?
I did my externship (6-weeks on-the-job training prior to DA program completion) at a busy dental office and enjoyed the comradery with the dental assistants, dentists and front office staff. I knew this was where I’d like to be. The branch manager and assistant had never hired an extern, just out of their DA program, but they both wanted me too.
I completed Carrington College’s DA program December 20 and was hired December 24th.
What are your current responsibilities?
We are working in a temporary facility of 27 operatories. Our 7-10 doctors handle a massive volume of patients (children and adults) and I assist with 8-11 patients each day in visits lasting 40-60 minutes. Kids are almost always scared, and our goal is to change that outlook. We want our kids to look forward to coming in and seeing us.
What is next in your career trajectory?
I still think teaching is on the horizon. Carrington College has already told me that if I have a Bachelor’s degree (which I already have) and two years in the field as a Dental Assistant, they would consider me for a teaching position. I want to think of that as a future goal. But, right now, I’m working with these kids and enjoying these years in my daughter’s life. I also have real loyalty to places, and it would feel right to, at some point, to join goals with Carrington College.
