Allison Tradewell

I began my studies at University of Louisiana at Monroe under Pre-Dental Hygiene. After a year of taking Dental Hygiene pre-requisites, I took someone else's advice and believed I had a better chance of changing majors. My many years of childcare, that began from a younger age, led to my decision of Elementary Education. I come from a family of educators and assumed this to be a good backup plan and started working at a pre-school. I learned over time, that is not where my heart is and knew exactly where I wanted to be. I withdrew from University and enrolled in Louisiana Dental Institute's Dental Assistant program, which I am currently completing. Although most of my experience comes from childcare and other customer serving positions, I feel these jobs have equipped me with many learned attributes that will propel me into the career of dental assisting. As a preschool teacher, it is essential I keep a good relationship with parents, through daily conversation, I am there to re-assure them their child is in a safe place and will be given the best care possible. I believe this similar to how dental assistants are responsible for upholding a good relationship with their patients, by building rapport and loyalty. Managing a number of 13-15 three-year olds has taught me time-management but more importantly, how to manage multiple priorities with a positive attitude. In a preschool setting, the willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals is crucial, and there is opportunity for it everyday. I do not believe this to be true only in a preschool, but in every work environment, especially a dentist office. Each position in the dentist office comes with multiple responsibilities to uphold, and just like life, the dental team could be thrown any circumstance and it is our job to come together to find a solution. I like to refer to the acronym T.E.A.M. found in Modern Dental Assisting, edition 12. Together Everyone Accomplishes More, will develop team trust and collaboration, showing readiness to help achieve company goals. I am a hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure entry level dental assistant position. As I will be completing dental assistant schooling over the next couple months, I will gain the knowledge to equip me to be the best dental assistant I can be, but more importantly, an open mind to learning something every day.

I am currently an afternoon teacher at Claiborne Christian Preschool, as well as in the mornings whether fill in as a substitute or am there to lend a helping hand. I also work for the Church on Sunday mornings and evenings, as well as Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.