RCSJ Dental Assisting Students Give Back During Veterans Smile Day

Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) Dental Assisting students recently put their classroom training into practice while giving back to local veterans during Veterans Smile Day at Brickworks Dental in Mays Landing, N.J. 

Working alongside dental professionals from throughout the community, RCSJ students assisted in providing dental services to area veterans. The experience gave students valuable hands-on experience while allowing them to serve members of the community who have served our country. 

“Our students represented Rowan College of South Jersey with professionalism, compassion, and pride,” said Jaci Klepadlo, executive director of Dental Programs at RCSJ. “It was incredibly rewarding to watch them apply the skills they have developed through our Dental Assisting Program while making a meaningful difference in the lives of local veterans.” 

The event provided students with an opportunity to gain real-world experience in a professional dental setting while learning from practicing dental professionals. Their participation also highlighted the important role dental assistants play as part of a collaborative dental care team. 

Veterans Smile Day was created to raise awareness of the lack of access to dental care facing veterans across the nation. The Veterans Smile Day Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to recruit dental professionals and corporate sponsors to help address this need by “Serving Those Who’ve Served.” Klepadlo, in addition to her role as executive director of Dental Programs at RCSJ, serves as a founding member of the Veterans Smile Day Foundation, helping advance its mission to connect veterans with much-needed dental care. 

RCSJ’s Dental Assisting Program prepares students with the knowledge and hands-on skills needed to pursue a career as a dental assistant. Opportunities such as Veterans Smile Day allow students to extend their learning beyond the classroom while contributing to the communities they serve. 

The event reflects RCSJ’s commitment to providing students with experiential learning opportunities that connect their education to meaningful service and future careers. 

RCSJ’s Dental Assisting Program prepares students for careers in one of the fastest-growing fields in healthcare. Through a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory experiences and clinical rotations, students are introduced to the dental profession and develop the knowledge and skills needed to perform the roles and responsibilities of a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA).  

Discover the RCSJ Dental Assisting Program and how to enroll at www.rcsj.edu. 

Learn more about Veterans Smile Day at www.veteransmileday.org.