Assist to Succeed Dental School
With a reputation for excellence, Smiles for Life is dedicated to helping patients achieve their desired smile transformation through their exceptional teeth whitening services.
Mission Statement
Our mission at ATS is to prepare the student for a career in dentistry. The student will receive a solid academic background in dentistry as well as a practical, clinical hands-on-training in preparation for entering the dental assisting field.
School History
Dr. Joseph McIntyre, DDS, Dr. Daniel Whiting, DMD, and their dental team have a passion for high quality dental care and exceptional patient care. Over the past 31 years, Dr. McIntyre has trained many dental assistants to perform all the duties and functions allowed in Virginia. This has been a very satisfying experience as most of them have continued in the dental field and some have even gone on to hygiene or dental school- such as our own Dr. Whiting. Our facility is designed to be a teaching facility with a large spacious classroom where our own staff training is done. The doctors realize that the best method of learning is when a student can learn the concept and then practice it. By having the school in a working dental office, the student has the advantage of gaining classroom knowledge, but also practice hands-on experience as they test their skills on each other, observe our staff, and experience internships in other offices. The school is the natural step for Dr. McIntyre and Dr. Whiting to be able to further share their passion for the field of dentistry as they help others skills and proficiency in this field.
Drs. McIntyre and Whiting are dedicated to providing patients with the very best care available.
Our Personal Promise
We are confident that students will be given every opportunity to fill their minds with principles that will drive them to success when properly applied. It is our personal promise to help students learn the skills they need to succeed in whatever endeavors they choose in life. The courses we teach offer the tools students need to succeed in dental assisting. We also hope to equip students with the desire and drive to use those tools to reach their dreams!
Office Hours
The students will be required to complete 120 contact hours in order to graduate. Classroom instruction will total 40 hours, clinical lab practicing skills will be 40 hours and externships in working dental offices will be 40 hours. The school faculty will be available half an hour before class starts (7:30-8:00am) and half an hour after the end of class (5:00-5:30pm) as well as during the hour long lunch break (12:00-1:00pm) for one- on-one meetings with students. Other times can be available by appointment.
This is an accelerated course. The course is for three months on Saturdays. Class hours are from 8am to12 noon and 1pm to 5pm.
Class Size
In order to provide personalized attention to each student, the class size will be limited to 6 students per clinical instructor.
We are confident that students will be given every opportunity to fill their minds with principles that will drive them to success when properly applied. It is our personal promise to help students learn the skills they need to succeed in whatever endeavors they choose in life.
Student Honor Code
Assist To Succeed Dental Assisting School operates as an educational institution and believes that it is imperative to health and safety that students understand the procedures, methods, and materials they will use in assisting a professional in the treatment of others. To that end ATS requires a very high level of excellence as outlined above. Students are not only required to perform in order to receive school endorsement but are expected to do so honestly. Students who are caught in any form of dishonest behavior (cheating, stealing from the school, stealing from other students or other affiliates of the school) will be dismissed from ATS as a student. Students suspected of dishonest behavior will be brought before the administration (course directors) at a scheduled time and the case reviewed. It will be the sole discretion of the administrators to determine the course of action, if any, that will be taken based on the solidity and dependability of the evidence presented by the student and the school staff. Individuals damaged will be responsible for legal prosecution of the accused.
Students are expected to conduct themselves in the professional and polite manner reasonably expected of a dental assistant. Interference with other student learning will not be tolerated and may result in expulsion.
Examinations, quizzes and homework assignments are designed for the learning and education of the student. All work is expected to be completed solely by the student unless specifically indicated otherwise by the instructors assigning each learning activity.
Admissions Requirements
The following entrance requirements are necessary for enrollment in the Dental Assisting Program:
- Person must be 18 years old or be a high school graduate or possess a GED certificate if younger than 18.
- Person must present a clean, neat appearance.
- Person must agree to abide by the Student Honor Code.
*Disclaimer: Certified to Operate by SCHEV
Meet The Team
Staunton Location
Bridgewater Location
Our Smiles for Life Patients Know
Warren Wise
Just had my first visit with Dr. Whiting at Smiles for Life in Bridgewater. My welcome to the office was warm and inviting. The dental assistant was professional, proficient, and very gentle. Dr.Whiting is very good at explaining problems he saw with my teeth and outline options for addressing those problems.
Jennifer Harper
Cathy Batton is an amazing hygienist and is so gentle but very thorough. She is very kind, and I am always happy to see her when I go to the dentist! She makes going to the dentist more fun!
Sandy Miller
I love Cathy!! She does a great job and is always very personable and professional. Give her a raise!! 😊 Everyone at Smiles for Life is great! If you’re looking for a dentist, I would highly recommend them.
Adam Harper
As always, my dental hygienist was amazing! Kathy has always done a great job and she is so very pleasant! I enjoy talking with her and she is extremely gentle when it comes to cleaning my teeth! Thanks for everything Kathy!
Sergen Keles
I recently visited this place and was extremely impressed. The staff was friendly, the clinic clean, and the appointment was punctual. Dr. Dan Whiting provided professional, gentle care, and explained everything clearly. Highly recommend!
Regina Pierce
Cathy Batton has been my hygienist since I (Dean) started at this practice and she is absolutely the best! Very gentle and caring! This group has brought me a long way from where I started! Thank you Cathy! The ladies at the desk (Jodie, Tara) thank you for keeping me in check! All of the people at this practice are great!
Chimdindu Ojibe
I had the best experience here. Every one was so nice to me and I felt very comfortable throughout my appointment. The doctor and all the staff were very friendly. They even gave me a free scan which was so nice of them. If you’re looking for a new dentist I 100% recommend Smiles for Life.
Clinton Huntley
Great Dentist!!!! VERY Professional, Polite, and most of all more worried about my condition and understanding my circumstances and and my opinion on what I believe should be done… will definitely recommend him to everyone thank you once again for everything I greatly appreciate you and all your staff!!!
