Episode 319: How Smile Crew CA is changing the game for California dental assistants

In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Kevin Henry interviews Ashley Reich, RDA, from the California Dental Association about Smile Crew California. Smile Crew California is a program aimed at addressing the dental assistant shortage by providing accelerated training and entry-level positions for dental assistants. The program has been successful, with 14 boot camps held to date and more than 200 enrollees. The success of the program has led to plans for expansion across the state. The podcast also discusses the importance of reaching out to potential dental assistants through non-traditional channels and the benefits of on-the-job training. The episode concludes with information on how dental assistants can spread the word about the profession and how to get involved with Smile Crew California. Takeaways Smile Crew California is a program by the California Dental Association aimed at addressing the dental assistant shortage by providing accelerated training and entry-level positions for dental assistants. The program has been successful, with 14 boot camps held to date and more than 200 enrollees. The program aims to reach potential dental assistants through non-traditional channels, such as advertising on platforms like Spotify. On-the-job training is an important component of the program, allowing dental assistants to gain practical experience in dental practices. For more information, visit https://www.smilecrewca.com and https://www.cda.org/practice/career-center/