Emily Foster Fanning grew up in a small town in Washington and initially pursued a career in special needs therapy before switching to dental assisting. She completed an in as few as nine-month Dental Assisting program at Carrington College Spokane, where her teacher Ashley Koch played a significant role in her education and career path. Emily now works at KidSmile in Spokane Valley, specializing in pediatric dentistry and helping ease parents’ concerns about their children’s dental treatments.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I grew up in a tiny town in Washington State with only fifteen students in my graduating class–including me. I signed a lease in Idaho before I graduated because there weren’t many opportunities in my hometown for jobs or higher education. I have a little sister with special needs; she is a ray of sunshine, and I love her so much. So, I started college to become a special needs therapist. But after attending for a few months, I decided traditional college wasn’t for me. After that, I did retail work for two years and my boyfriend encouraged me to return to school. I was considering medical or dental assisting and then decided to jump into dental assisting, not knowing a thing about it. I quickly loved it and knew I wanted to work with kids, which is what I’m doing today at KidSmile in the Spokane Valley.
When did you decide to pursue a career in dental assisting?
About a year ago.
What motivated you to choose Carrington College?
I liked that the program was in as few as nine months long. That allowed me to quit working in retail and focus on school. I was fortunate because my boyfriend supported me during that time.
What was your favorite part of your program at Carrington College?
When my last teacher, Ashley Koch, came in and taught us so much in a short amount of time. She was a little intimidating only because she knew her stuff and was so experienced. She always filled in any gaps with helpful information and could answer every question we asked.
What was the most challenging part of your program?
The readings were challenging for me because there was a lot to remember. Writing things down helped me a lot. I had a couple of notebooks full of writing by the time I graduated. Another challenging thing was we had multiple teachers during the program. That made me wonder if I was getting the education I needed, but then Ashley Koch came in to teach and turned things around.
What got you through the challenging times?
My boyfriend and family. There were countless times when they would quiz me in person or over the phone to help me with school. Their help made me realize the importance of community support in overcoming obstacles and succeeding.
Is there a Carrington College instructor or staff member who you would like to acknowledge?
My teacher Ashley Koch was amazing. She came to Carrington College in time to teach my last term and helped me get my externship at KidSmile. Students are generally discouraged from specializing in a specific population, but she supported and encouraged me when I decided to specialize in pediatric dentistry.
Please tell us about your current work at KidSmile in Spokane Valley.
KidSmile hired me right out of my externship. The office manager approached me with a proposal; they wanted to offer me a job after six weeks. There are two doctors–Dr. Joel Blake and Dr. Ryan Blake (aka Dr. Ryan). They are an uncle and nephew and they treat employees like family. In addition to doing standard pediatric dentistry, Dr. Ryan specializes in lip-tie and tongue-tie releases. Lip-ties and tongue-ties can interfere with feeding and speaking. The release procedures are quick, using a CO2 laser to remove the extra tissue. I’ve held babies only a few weeks old while they had their lips and tongues released. It is amazing what a difference it makes.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Sometimes we have patients who need a lot of treatments. Their parents might be stressed and feel bad their kids’ teeth have so many issues. I enjoy taking the time to ease their minds. I will carefully explain the treatment plan, including what is needed now and what can wait. I‘ve found they tend to be appreciative when they are given more information.
How did Carrington College prepare you for your career in Dental Assisting?
It introduced me to the foundation that I needed to get started. I’ve found that school and work are different because every dentist and hygienist will operate differently. When I came into my externship, I wasn’t sure I would do well, but then the people in the office reassured me and said that I should trust myself.
Do you have any advice for people interested in going into your field?
Never be afraid to ask questions at school and work even if it feels dumb at the time. I was someone who had to get braces at 13 years old. I had someone put my wires on backward, which set my treatment back 6 months. They were removed at 16 just in time for my driver’s license picture. That’s why it is so important for people to ask questions. When helping someone with their oral health there is no room to make mistakes. Also, don’t be afraid to make friends and find study buddies when you’re in school. I keep in touch with some of mine and occasionally get coffee. Maintaining those connections is important for support and networking during your career.
