Q: How are advancements in technology and platforms changing how your area delivers services or instruction?

 A: Technology has completely transformed how we teach and support Dental Assisting students. The Dental Assisting Program uses learning management systems, instructional videos, digital simulations and interactive platforms so that students can learn and review skills before they ever touch a patient. As a result, they come into lab more confident, prepared and ready to focus on hands-on mastery—not panic. 

On the clinical side, the program uses Trajecsys to manage externships, track hours, monitor competencies and streamline communication between students, faculty and dental offices. The technology keeps everyone accountable and eliminates guesswork. In clinic, Roam cameras allow faculty to observe and record student performance during evaluations and then review footage together with students to identify strengths and areas for growth—real coaching, not guesswork. Students also train with intraoral scanners, learning to take accurate 3D impressions alongside traditional methods so that dental offices don’t have to train graduates from scratch. The bottom line is simple: technology helps faculty meet students where they are while maintaining high standards and real-world expectations. 

Q: What is the most impactful innovation you’ve implemented, and what problem did it solve? 

A: One of the most impactful innovations the Dental Assisting Program has implemented is the Trajecsys externship tracking platform. Previously, everything was paper-based—attendance, evaluations and documentation—which often led to delays, missing paperwork and miscommunication. Moving to a digital platform streamlined the entire process. Students can clock in, log experiences and submit required documentation in real-time while clinical sites can complete evaluations quickly and easily. This solved a major organizational problem and significantly reduced stress for everyone involved.

An added benefit that truly impacts student growth is immediate feedback. When an instructor or externship site submits an evaluation or comment in Trajecsys, students gain instant access to that feedback. They don’t have to wait days or weeks for paperwork to circulate or questions to be answered. Instead, students can immediately see what they’re doing well and where they need to improve, allowing them to adjust and grow in real-time. That immediacy creates accountability, clarity and confidence; and it keeps learning continuous rather than delayed. 

Q: How has this innovation improved student success?

 A: This innovation has made students more accountable, organized and confident. They can clearly see what’s expected of them, track their progress and receive feedback without confusion. Because instructors can monitor activity in real-time, we can step in early if a student is struggling rather than waiting until the end of the rotation. It also mirrors the digital systems students will use in dental offices, helping them build professional habits before they graduate. Students feel more supported and less overwhelmed, which directly impacts completion rates, confidence in clinical settings and overall readiness for employment. 

Q: How has technology helped you build or strengthen partnerships with employers, schools, or other organizations, and how do these connections support the region’s workforce and economic growth? 

A: Technology has made collaboration much easier with local dental offices and clinical partners. Digital platforms allow faculty to communicate expectations clearly, share schedules and evaluations as well as maintain consistent standards across sites. Employers appreciate efficiency and transparency, which encourages them to continue hosting student and often hire them after graduation. These partnerships ensure our curriculum stays aligned with real workforce needs. By graduating students who are trained on current technology and workflows, we’re helping meet local demand for skilled dental assistants and supporting the overall growth of healthcare services in the region. 

Q: Looking ahead, what advancements do you foresee impacting your area, and what new skills will DMC graduates need? 

A: Looking ahead, advancements in digital imaging, 3D scanning, electronic health records, AI-assisted scheduling and teledentistry will continue to reshape the dental field. As these technologies become standard, future dental assistants will need to be highly adaptable and comfortable learning new systems quickly. Strong digital literacy, attention to detail and the ability to navigate software platforms will be just as critical as hands-on clinical skills. Communication, professionalism, teamwork and an understanding of data privacy will also be essential in technology-driven practices. 

At Del Mar College, our Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene Programs consistently stay a step ahead. We actively research emerging trends, collaborate with industry partners and pay close attention to what dental offices will need next to ensure our students are prepared before those expectations become the norm. Students already train with advanced 3D imaging, intraoral scanners and digital workflows, so as technology evolves, they will continue to sharpen these skills. Our goal is simple: developing graduates who are confident, adaptable and ready to grow with the profession they’re investing in. 

Q: If talking to a prospective student, what are the top benefits or opportunities you’d highlight about your program or service? 

A: If I were talking to a prospective student, I’d highlight three key things right away: quality, opportunity and long-term value. Del Mar College’s Dental Assisting Program is one of only seven accredited programs in Texas by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), and that distinction matters. CODA accreditation sets a high standard for education, patient safety, ethics and clinical competence. Students receive in-depth training in head and neck anatomy, infection control, radiology and patient care—training that goes far beyond what short-term certificate programs offer.

 The Dental Assisting Program also serves as an excellent foundation for students who may be exploring the dental field. Some students begin in Dental Assisting and later decide to pursue Dental Hygiene. Others discover they want to become dentists and go on to earn a biology degree at a university before applying to dental school. That flexibility makes this program a strong starting point, not a dead end.

Del Mar College is the only option in Corpus Christi where students can earn an Associate of  Applied Science in Dental Assisting degree. Furthermore, students can also build upon that degree once earned by continuing their education and transitioning into Del Mar College’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management and Leadership, which costs a fraction of what they would pay at a university. At every step, the college and the Dental Assisting Program’s faculty focus on student success, career mobility and long-term growth.
 

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