Job Interview: Sandra Lo, Director of Dental Health Programs

Q: Can you give me a brief summary of the duties of your job?

A: Well I was director of a two dental education programs, dental health and dental assisting, at a
community college. As part of this education, we had a clinic that provided services to the
general population. As director, I supervised the clinic as well as taught in both programs. I did
student selection in both programs, assigned student clinical rotations, organized staff schedules,
ordered supplies and equipment for the clinic and both educational programs, and represented
both programs to the college administration, dental professionals, and the community as a whole.

Q: So you are a dentist, is this a requirement?
A: No, to direct the hygiene program one must be a hygienist. Similarly, one must be a dental
assistant to direct an assisting program. However, since I was educated as a dentist, I qualified
for the position. Generally, though, there would be a separate director for dental hygiene with the
qualifications of a dental hygienist and a separate director for dental assisting with the
qualifications of a dental assistant.

Q: You had several different jobs, teaching and administration, which one it the most satisfying?
A: Teaching dental assisting. Dental assistants have a wider range of tasks they can perform. So
teaching [the students] these skills is more rewarding.

Q: How would one acquire your job?
A: One would have to have the qualifications set by the accreditation boards. To be a dental
assisting director, one must have graduated from an accredited institution in dental assisting or
dentistry. A minimum number of years of professional experience are needed. The same is true
for directing a dental hygiene program except that one must have studied dental hygiene. For
both programs there are requirements regarding the level of educational training.

Q: Do you enjoy your job?
A: I enjoy working with the students, giving them an employable skill set, and providing a
service to the community. I do not like the petty bickering among professional colleagues. The
educational environment has many rewards.

Q: Why teach and direct instead of practice in the field?
A: For me the compensation of free time, security, and giving others a future was more important
than the rewards of a private practice.