Impact Dental Assisting Academy, LLC

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less". Rick Warren

About a year ago, I attended a dental conference going by the name of RTR (Reingage Team Retreat 2025). And if I see “Team” in the title, sign me up! RTR was something special, as is the organization, American Academy of Clear Aligners (AACA). For the past eight years, the top Invisalign group in North America, the globe, and maybe even the Universe, has met up at Wynn Las Vegas.

On Thursday evening of our Tuesday thru Friday conference at Wynn, we all attended “Postcards from Earth” at the Sphere. “Postcards” tells the story of life on Earth, ultimately challenged by mankind and requiring some recovery time from humans to self-sustain (That’s just my take. And I hate using that four-letter word.)

Following the Sphere, we were back at Wynn for the gala. As I stood in line in search of a Cabernet, I asked the young woman in line ahead of me how she liked RTR and the gala; she responded, “I think it’s awesome!” and added, “But I’m just a dental assistant.” JVB: “You might be the key to making a difference for your team, your patients, and the community. There’s no such thing as just a Dental Assistant!” I took a breath and climbed off my soap box (hyperventilating dentists can be unsightly) as the Dental Assistant slipped away. I took a sip of the red and started reflecting (sometimes a perilous journey).

My first Dental Assistant, Diane RDA, taught super-young Dr. Jack how to team up effectively with dental assistants. Diane became my first Office Manager, best friend, and unofficial big sister; she basically taught me how to behave like an official grown-ass professional adult. Diane and Dental Assistant Crystal accompanied me on our first continuing education trip out of LA and my first flight since age-12. Our adventure to the Canadian Rockies and Dental Boot Kamp changed everything. These days I get to present to and mentor aspiring high school students interested in careers in health science and service…and I get to pass my Canadian experience forward.

Twenty-four years ago, Diane hosted an office tour for a prospective Temple City Dental Care Dental Assistant, Dani Williams RDA. Dani became a Dental Assistant of the Year, a Team Leader, and a friend. Dani has been a voice of calm, thoughtful, organized, eloquent reason and a super-effective leader for the past twenty-four years.

When I sold my practice, the broker was adamant that I keep my sales actions to myself. I shared every step with Dani and let the broker know about it. After registering his protest, the broker asked, “Do you trust her?” My response, “More than I trust you.”

And today, Dani and I are business partners solving the puzzle of State of California licensing and the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education and establishing our business to train…Dental Assistants, and maybe the next Diane Stone or Dani Williams. We’re excited about our opportunity to give back (and not only excellent clinical skills). We’re committed to giving young people a head-start and sharing verbal systems along with the magic of empowered leadership and teamwork and having fun in the process.

Impact Assisting Academy, LLC will welcome our founding class in October 2026. Our venue will be Temple City Dental Care, the site of the practice I established during the Carter Administration and generously offered to us by my friend and new owner of four years, Dr. Kyle Low.

There’s a critical shortage of Dental Assistants these days; we’re anxious to help fill the void. If you have friends or family who might be interested in exploring healthcare and making a difference for others, please let them know about us. There is no such thing as just a Dental Assistant.

Our founding group of students will be limited in number; we’re committed to making tuition affordable.

Please call 626/509-0312 for information; we will return all messages. You can also learn more About us by visiting our website at www.impactdentalassistingacademy.com

Email address: impactdaa@gmail.com