By Amy Hensel
ahensel@cherryroad.com
Josette Rang celebrated a milestone Feb. 15. She has worked as a dental assistant for 25 years at the practice of Dr. Andrew Dwan, DDS.
“I have been the longest-employed person at that office,” she said. “Dr. Dwan has been a dentist for almost 29 years and I’ve been with him for 25 of that.”
Rang’s interest in dentistry was sparked at an early age.
“My aunt was a dental assistant in Bay City,” she said. “When I would go to her office for routine cleanings and checkups, I always thought it would be a neat profession to look into.”
Rang grew up in Standish, attending Standish Elementary and Standish-Sterling Central High School. During her junior year in high school, she started going to the career center in Bay City.
“I chose a dental class. The first year of that was all in the classroom, learning the fundamentals,” she said. “The second year that I took dental, I went to high school for about two hours, then I went right to Dr. Dwan’s office for my internship.”
After finishing her internship, Rang did not have to spend any time job searching.
“Dr. Dwan offered me a position,” she said. “I accepted that position with grace, and I’ve loved it ever since.”
Rang is a Certified Dental Assistant and a Registered Dental Assistant. She earned her CDA on the job.
“I worked long enough and had enough hours that I could just go ahead and take the test,” she said.
Getting her RDA required more schooling, but she didn’t have to stop working.
“I went to Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor. I did a lot of it online,” she said. “I only had to go there a few times for the clinical portion and my state exam.”
Rang works with Dr. Dwan on all procedures. Her certifications and experience allows her to do some expanded functions, like treatment planning, placing amalgam and resin fillings, applying sealants, applying topical and fluoride for patients and taking final impressions.
Dr. Dwan takes Rang and her coworkers to the annual Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting.
“We would go there as an office and take classes and enjoy each other’s company after all that was done,” Rang said. “It makes our office better to have everyone on the same page, especially staying up on technology and all the advancements with dentistry.”
Continuing education for the staff helps them to educate their patients.
“There are different products and techniques, a lot of new things that help people to take better care of themselves, Rang said. “I’ve always wanted to go into dentistry to help people gain confidence with a healthy smile.”
Not everyone likes to go to the dentist, so it’s important to create an atmosphere of trust between patients and staff.
“I’m very community oriented. I have developed quite a great relationship with the patients at this practice. They feel like family to me,” Rang said. “I try to explain things to help them feel more comfortable with procedures, and to give audio and visual aids if need be, so people know what to expect.”
Rang is involved with the community outside the dental practice. She served for eight years on the Standish City Council and she volunteers at the Standish Historic Depot & Welcome Center.
“We do quite a lighting display for Christmas there. I am on the committee for that,” she said. “I’m involved with taking care of the grounds there at the depot, doing some landscaping. I head up the spring cleanup and fall clean up at the Standish Depot to keep the green spaces around the community looking good.
When I’m not doing community events or working, fishing is my passion!
