Third group of dental assistants graduates 

By: Mike Gavin
Published: August 01, 2022

SPINDALE (Aug. 1, 2022) — The third class of the Dental Assisting program at Isothermal graduated this week. 

A pinning ceremony was held for the two graduates at the Library Auditorium on the Spindale Campus. 

The new graduates are Jennifer “Taylor” Harris and Jennalea Mitchell. The number of students was smaller than usual because of COVID-related circumstances. 

After a welcome by Dr. Greg Thomas, Isothermal’s vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, the National Anthem was performed by Teresa Ingle. 

Melanie Bailey, a Dental Assisting instructor, addressed the graduates and their guests. 

Ava Yamouti, dean of Health and Public Services, presented the awards. Mitchell earned Outstanding Chairside Assistant. Harris was named the Outstanding Student.  

Stacey Jenkins, the director of the program, presented the graduates with their pins, made several remarks, and led the class in the Dental Assistant Pledge. 

The dental assisting program takes place at the Polk Center in Columbus and at the MAHEC Dental facility on the nearby St. Luke's Hospital campus. Dental assisting is a great career choice that pays well and has great stability and demand. The program only takes one year to complete. 

Dental assisting involves helping a dentist in skilled four-handed dentistry and graduates find employment in various types of dental offices. 

For more information, contact the program’s director, Stacey P. Jenkins, BSDH, RDH, CDA, at sjenkins@isothermal.edu or 828-395-4440.