The Road to a Dream

“What a long, strange trip it’s been.” Grateful Dead

So, three and a half years ago, my co-worker, friend, and inspiration and I began our own “Truckin” adventure. I remember minute #1 well. I was tucked away in the lab, in my own little cubby hole in front of Hal, the Computer, right next to the fire extinguisher. I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder.

I was finishing up care for my few remaining patients of record following the sale of my practice of some 46-years. And you can understand what a wild and crazy guy I am when you consider I was probably daydreaming about walking around the hood, having a coffee, and reading a crime novel…every day. And with no regret, I can honestly confide that, with the exception a few trips and one robotic repair job, I’ve been livin’ the daydream.

Before Registered Dental Assistant, Team Leader, and Temple City Dental Care Den Mother Dani tapped me on the shoulder, Al Pacino was like planet Pluto away from my mind. Dani asked, “Dr. V, do you think you and I could start a business training Dental Assistants?” Then the voice of Godfather 3 spoke, “Just when I thought I was out…they pull me back in.” Only, I wasn’t complaining. I said, “Yes.”

Dani is the only person on the face of the earth who could’ve prompted an athletic “thumbs up!” And if you could say no to someone with initiative, grace, and wisdom, you’d probably wind up being that old guy walking the streets of Madison Heights, wearing a USC hoodie, and carrying an Elmore Leonard paperback fishing for a “Good morning” or a smile from oncoming pedestrians. Ironically, typing “Good morning!” has never floated my boat.

Dani is single Mom to kiddo Tati, a first grader already committed to “Scientist,” but with Lawyer and Comedian still in the running. Dani, aka Daniel-San RDA, is a graduate of Citrus Community College’s excellent Dental Assistant program; she was named Dental Assistant of the Year by the prestigious Crown Council dental organization and led and trained cousins, students, dental teams, and dentists during her 24-years at Temple City Dental Care (TCDC). Collaborating with Dani made me a better healthcare provider…and a better person.

So, let the journey begin! We received a solid recommendation for a broker who could lead us through the State of California’s rigorous licensing maze! And from the beginning, I had a hint of what the road trip to somewhere might become, just reading the words: State of California Bureau of Private PostSecondary Education (BPPE). Ugh, lots of syllables.

In only three months we would be up and running…for only $12 grand. Our broker had like 75 initials after her name. I thought, overcompensation? And I also thought, “Don’t overthink it, get moving! I’m still in search of anyone accusing me of overthinking when for me, thinking itself takes a noble effort. Our handler was out of state, from somewhere around the Mississippi River. I thought about how, back in my day, virtually no out-of-stater dentists passed the California State Board exam; but that was a long time ago.

After about 18 months, Ms. Mississippi had found a phone number, an application and the fee, and news of a required Financial Report. If only we would’ve made the call ourselves…

BPPE step #1 was send $5000 and fill in the application blanks. On our second attempt, we were deemed, Complete. Up next: Analysis. Aside from Impact Assisting Academy, LLC, and our names, none of Ms. Mississippi’s copy and pasting proved useful. We fell outta love with Ms. Mississippi, and $12 grand doesn’t go as far as it used to. No problem, my new author Jon Acuff soundtrack, composed by me and a new little man in the back of my head is, “Every time, somehow, I always figure things out.” I informed Dani I would be diving headfirst into the BPPE website, YouTube postings, and webinar and go full DIM (Do it myself). Five minutes after the webinar, I was quoting Mel Brooks to Dani by phone: “I got it, I got it, I got it, I got it. I don’t got it.”

Just before my depression calcified, I received an email from Chris Golda of School Builder Plus. Chris had sat in on the webinar, saw that I was a dentist who’d skipped all the recommended application steps, and made himself eligible for a trip to Stockholm and a hotly contested Prize. Said Chris, “I know the BPPE two-step.” Chris and daughter Joelle help postsecondary institutions, and vocational schools establish and maintain approval to operate in the state of California. Dad and daughter are amazing people who know their stuff; they ushered us through the Analytical component in about three months.

Now batting, the City of Temple City! And city licensing has really changed since late-Disco when I established Temple City Dental Care.

Because of zoning issues (Two businesses, Education and Commercial in the same building), we secured a Conditional Permit by way of submitting a floor plan, the paperwork, a notice to owners within a 500 foot radius, and a sign noting Community Development to be posted in front of the building one week prior to an appearance before the Planning Committee (They were cool people) and lasting 15-days after. Next up: An application to Fire Prevention (including a floor plan and site map) and a trip to Irwindale (almost the home of the LA Rams.) Yesterday, having handed in our business license application, we received a visit from the City Inspector ( the office is beautiful). But, OH NO, the utility room! The inspector took a step back like he’d seen a ghost…or a rattler. After a second attempt, we passed. In one month, I’ve cleaned out my garage and the utility room. I’m ready for cleaning retirement, or maybe a new profession.

What’s next? The BPPE Quality of Education Unit. Dani and I have a combined 60-years of award-winning experience. The State of California requires 50-hours of continuing education per two-years, we averaged 200 hours per year.

We’re keeping our fingers crossed. My old soundtrack used to be, “Too good to be true” but I threw it out when I cleaned out the garage and the utility room.

We’re keeping our TCDC purpose: Making a World Class Difference for Others and Making Dentistry Fun.

Look for us at www.impactdentalassistingacademy.com. If you know anyone on the face of the earth who might be looking for the first step into making a difference for others in dental healthcare, please let us know.