Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Albany, Georgia – Albany Technical College (ATC) Dental Assisting Program will have the ribbon cutting of a newly renovated lab at 10:00 am Thursday, February 3, in Nathaniel Cross Health Technology Building (HCT), room 103. Renovations to the lab will be discussed along with opportunities available in the job market here in Southwest Georgia for dental assistant graduates. The event will be held virtual, and broadcast live on Albany Tech’s YouTube Channel at 10 am Thursday.
The previous lab had four operatories with equipment that became outdated. A new lab was designed several years ago to update the teaching facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. The current practices/uses of modern dentistry were taken into consideration. The lab is now 95% complete allowing for the best educational experience possible for students in the program.
“The new layout better utilizes the assigned space we have here at Albany Technical College, allowing for functionality and better student learning experiences. We are extremely proud of the space that has been designed and cannot wait to share it with the community,” stated Dr. Anthony Parker, President of Albany Technical College.
“We started with a vision of the lab and hand drawings, working with the architects creating digital blueprints. The process has taken a while, but we are pleased to say that the Dental Assisting Program now has six fully operational dental operatories with pass-through x-ray units. These changes give the students a real-life workforce simulation versus having separate x-ray rooms like before, said Ivey Spears, Chair of Dental Assisting.
A brief description of the significant equipment updates made through this renovation is Listed below.
The 6 dental operatories include:
- A-dec 500 Dental Chair with a Continental Delivery System and LED Dental Light
- A-dec 500 Operator and Assistant Stools with backrest
- A-dec Inspire Treatment console with 12 o'clock Assistants' Instrumentation and 22" monitor
- A-dec Inspire Central Console with pass through X-ray Units
Also added the following to other areas of the space:
- A-dec Inspire Sterilization Center
- 6.6-gallon Ultrasonic Cleaner
- Vistapure System
- Nomad (portable x-ray system)
- Reception Area with patient seating and reception desk
- Dental Lab with 12 student stations and a large island to accommodate 12 students and has 2 mobile instructor tables.
- Student lockers
The total cost for renovations to the Dental Assisting Program, including equipment, was a little over $1,054,000.
For more information:
Dental Assisting Program
https://www.albanytech.edu/college-catalog/current/programs/dental-assisting
Nathaniel Cross Health Technology Building (HCT)
Albany Technical College
1704 South Slappey Blvd Albany, GA 31701
- Ivey Spears
Program Chair
(229) 430.3543
ispears@albanytech.edu
- Janet Reagan
Instructor
(229) 430-3544
jreagan@albanytech.edu