During a two-day observership program held on December 10 and 11, a group of 13 dental students from the Dental Hygiene Program at New Mexico State University (NMSU), USA, gained 48 hours of practical exposure and field experience at three clinics of Elite Dental in Vietnam.
The Dental Hygiene program at NMSU, part of Doña Ana Community College (DACC), offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Dental Hygiene. This program is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Leading the delegation were Elmer E. González, MDA, PhD., RDH, CDA – Program Director, and Dr. Josefina Carmona, PhD. – Dean of the Health Sciences Divisions at NMSU-DACC.
Elite Dental welcomed the group with a warm reception led by Tran Hung Lam, DDS, PhD – Medical Director at Elite Dental, and Le Nguyen Tra Mi, PhD – an implant specialist and general dentist, alongside the clinic staff. The students focused on understanding comprehensive patient care processes and were guided through:
✅ The operational workflow of multidisciplinary dental clinics.
✅ The design and layout of specialty dental clinics (implant center and orthodontic center).
✅ The role of dental assistants in instrument preparation and treatment support.
✅ The pre-surgical preparation protocols for dental instruments.
In addition, the students observed various basic dental procedures, such as wisdom tooth extractions, teeth whitening, and scaling,… while learning about patient communication, examination, and diagnosis. They also explored the use of Conebeam CT imaging and radiation safety protocols.
⭐️ On the final day, the students had a special opportunity to witness the comprehensive preparation of a surgical room at Elite Dental’s Tu Xuong. Dr. Le Nguyen Tra Mi personally supervised and guided this session, providing detailed insights into the meticulous processes involved.
With over 12 years of experience in advanced dental care, Elite Dental boasts a team of highly skilled clinicians supported by cutting-edge equipment and fully digitalized process, from imaging and diagnosis to treatment execution. This makes Elite Dental an ideal environment for aspiring dentists to gain practical knowledge and firsthand exposure to real-world dental operations.
🤝 This observership program not only provided valuable dental knowledge but also served as a cultural exchange opportunity. It allowed the students to deepen their understanding of Vietnamese customs, practices, and work styles in an international dental environment.
For Elite Dental, the program was a meaningful endeavor to support future generations of dentists while fostering bridges of knowledge and culture between Vietnam and the global dental community.
