Congratulations to Ginny Jorgensen and Bonnie Marshall, who have been certified by the Dental Assisting National Board for 35 years!

Both of these assistants have not only renewed their certification with at least 12 hours of continuing education every year, but have been active members and served as officers of the Oregon Dental Assistants Association as well as Test Construction Committee members for DANB, plus other numerous activities.

Ginny and Bonnie have taught dental assisting courses through Portland Community College, the Oregon Dental Conference, and other locations throughout the state, helping dental assistants excel in their profession.  
 

If you have been taught by either or both, take a second to drop a note and share a thought or adventure with all of us.  

35 years is a milestone and we are very happy and proud to have been a part of their time with ODAA.  If you would like to share a dental assistant story about yourself or another dental assistant, please reply.  You are important and so are your thoughts and stories.  

AND NOW, LET’S HEAR FROM THEM ~       

Bonnie Marshall, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, MADAA, BA

36 years ago, Portland Community College introduced me to many educational experiences as a dental assisting student.  The program prepared me to become a Certified Dental Assistant.  Several students decided not to take the, (then six hour) exam but for myself, there was no better choice. Besides I was encouraged by four amazing mentors Dee Berland, Nancy Deimling, Karen Waide and Dr. Robertson.

From the beginning, my goals were lofty and I knew that being a Certified Dental Assistant would open many more doors.  As a single mom of three, I had to strive for the best, work hard and hold that important certification.

Upon graduation, I was able to acquire a wonderful job at OHSU.  I helped start a program for patients to get dental care for less through the “Dental Practice Program”. Working alongside highly recognized dentists and educators, such as Dr. Cantwell and Dr. Peterson, I was inspired to stay focused on my goals of higher education.

Only five years later and many stepping stone, including obtaining a AAS in Education,  teaching at Apollo College and working at Kaiser, I was able to realize my dream of teaching in the PCC Dental Assisting program.
 

I feel very strongly that achieving and maintaining a CDA shows yourself and others a strong desire to be the best.  To maintain a CDA, a person must complete 12 credit hours of continuing education yearly.  By obtaining additional education, a dental assistant continues to improve his/her mind and skills, therefore making a difference on the job.  Your employment may not require that you hold a CDA or maintain membership in your professional association...ADAA, but the desire must come from within yourself. 

For me, the last 35 plus years have been an important part of my life, and I am proud to say that I have made a difference in peoples lives. I would not change a thing and will continue to teach when asked, and continue to serve as an active member of the ADAA when I can. 

Thanks to DANB for the beautiful pen and pencil set.

Ginny Jorgensen, CDA, EFDA, EFODA, AAS           

Ginny began her dental assisting career as an orthodontic and general chairside assistant. She was employed for 6 years as a Dental Training Specialist for Kaiser Permanente Dental Program and graduated from Portland Community College with an Associate Degree in Professional Technical Education.  Ginny was hired as a full-time clinical dental assisting instructor at Portland Community College from 1998 to 2014. She currently teaches online courses for the PCC Integrated Community Dental Assisting Program through the Health Professionals Institute at the CLIMB Center.

Ginny is the owner of Smith & Jorgensen Dental Consulting, a company that provides current infection control, audits, and compliance training for dental professionals. Ginny’s main goal is to provide “Best Practice” infection prevention/control trends and how to implement these trends into an efficient, safe working environment for dental professionals and their patients. 

Ginny is a past president of the Dental Auxiliary Learning Education (DALE) Foundation and serves on the national Infection Control Certificate Certification Steering Commission (ICCCSC) for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and the Organization for Safety & Asepsis Procedures (OSAP).