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New Dental School Offers Hands-On Training for Assistants

by David Volz June 28, 2026

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New Dental School Offers Hands-On Training for Assistants 5

Empower School of Dental Assisting celebrated a ribbon-cutting event. {David Volz}

A new school has opened to help future dental assistants enter the field.

The Empower School of Dental Assisting held a ribbon-cutting event on June 27 with community leaders. The Tamarac North Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce hosted the event.

According to Sandra Davenport, the dental assisting field offers opportunities for those with training and experience. There are vacancies, and dentists need assistants to help them while they work with patients. She is the school’s vice president and runs a dental office.

“We offer extensive hands-on training and experience that is important for people who want to work in dental assisting,” said Davenport.

Students learn chairside assisting, digital X-rays and dental charting, sterilization and infection control, specialty procedures, patient education, and front office skills and professional development, according to Davenport.

The training program runs for ten weeks; eight weeks in the classroom and two weeks working in a dental office. The cost is $4,650, according to Davenport.

“This school offers a good opportunity for people who want to work in dental offices. As AI replaces some jobs, there will always be a need for dental assistants, said Peter Mason, executive director for the Tamarac North Lauderdale Chamber.

The event included a DJ, food, and a social gathering. Oliver Mair, Consul General of Jamaica for the Southern U.S., attended to support the Jamaican-owned company.

Empower is located at 7110 Southgate Boulevard, North Lauderdale. Classes are in session from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.