Camas, WA - Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School announced an expansion of hands-on lab training in Camas, strengthening skill development for students preparing to enter dental offices across Camas, Vancouver, and the broader Portland metro area. The update increases access to structured, in-person practice sessions designed to support workplace readiness, particularly for learners who want more repetition and confidence with chairside workflows before transitioning into an externship or entry-level role.
Dental assisting is a hands-on profession where speed, accuracy, and patient comfort depend on real practice, not only theory. Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School stated that the expanded lab training is intended to help students translate coursework into consistent clinical habits, including instrument transfer, operatory setup, aseptic technique, and teamwork skills that reflect the pace of a modern dental practice.
“Employers want graduates who can step into an operatory and contribute quickly, while still being safe, calm, and patient-focused,” said Dr. Bharathi Charugundla, DMD, founder of Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School. “Expanded lab instruction gives students more time to practice the details that matter in real dental offices, from setup and sterilization routines to chairside efficiency and communication.”
The expanded lab availability is designed to address a common gap seen in many vocational training paths: limited practice time for key assisting skills. In dental environments, small errors can create delays, discomfort, or workflow breakdowns. Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School stated that the enhanced lab instruction is organized to build muscle memory and reduce first-day anxiety by giving students more structured reps on core tasks that are expected in general dentistry offices.
The expanded lab training supports multiple categories of skills that employers commonly prioritize in entry-level applicants. These include infection control fundamentals, proper operatory turnover, tray preparation, suction and retraction technique, and basic chairside assisting support during restorative procedures. Additional lab sessions also focus on communication and patient experience routines, including how to guide patients through common appointment steps, maintain professionalism during busy schedules, and support a smoother flow between clinical tasks.
Radiography support skills and basic clinical documentation routines are also addressed through hands-on training components, depending on the student’s course pathway and state-specific scope considerations. The school noted that structured lab time helps learners connect the “why” of dental standards to the “how” of day-to-day execution, which often marks the difference between understanding the material and executing it confidently under time pressure.
Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School serves students who commute from surrounding areas, including Vancouver and parts of the Portland metro. The school stated that expanded lab access is also intended to improve flexibility for learners balancing work and family responsibilities, while maintaining a strong emphasis on in-person practice. By increasing practical training opportunities, the program aims to produce graduates who are prepared for the realities of front-to-back dental office support, including both clinical and patient-facing responsibilities.
The school’s training model combines coursework with in-person labs to reinforce job-ready fundamentals. More information about the program structure is available at the dental assisting course outline.
Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School stated that the expanded lab training is part of a broader focus on helping students graduate with practical confidence, professional habits, and the ability to support real-world dental workflows from day one. The school also noted that additional practice time can improve consistency for students who want more repetition with fundamentals before entering the externship phase or interviewing with dental employers.
Enrollment and scheduling information is available through the school’s website, with guidance for students evaluating dental assisting as a trade and healthcare career path. The school stated that the expanded lab instruction in Camas is now in place and will be incorporated into upcoming cohorts to support workforce-ready training outcomes in Clark County and the Portland metro region.
Media Contact
Name
Pacific Northwest Dental Assisting School
Contact name
Dr. Bharathi Charugundla, DMD
Contact phone
(360) 818-7273
Contact address
19301 SE 34th St, #105
City
Camas
State
WA
Zip
98607
Country
United States
Url
https://www.schoolofdentalassisting-vancouver.com/
