Pre-dental students (Chris Pankow,Mike Schepansky, Joe Szymczak) stand in the operating room with Dr. Norman R. Dzingle, center. (Photo courtesy of Chris Pankow) Pre-dental students at Central Michigan University are getting hands-on experience despite the College of Medicines continued delays. For the past six years Dr. Norman R. Dzingle has given pre-dental students the opportunity to gain real-world experience by working at his general dentistry, cosmetic and comprehensive family dental care practice in Mount Pleasant. After putting in time and earning a place in the office by showing dedication and determination, the doctor will allow students to assist in the office (during procedures and surgeries) and at the Central Michigan Community Hospital, Milford senior Michael Schepansky said.Its a huge opportunity that not many people get the chance to do. Schepansky said he was first given a hands-on opportunity when the doctor called him during an emergency. At first I didnt realize the opportunity I was getting, then I got there and it was a lot to take in, Schepansky said. Job shadowing can only let me see so much, so being able to assist up close was really intense and exciting. Taking part in procedures is a rare opportunity for pre-dental students and unheard of at other offices, Dzingle said. Williamston senior Chris Pankow said students are given experience in both the dental and business side of dental offices. We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard because we are representing Dr. Dzingle, Pankow said. Dzingle said students are guided through procedures with extensive explanations and he teaches them necessary people skills for taking care of patients. I tell the students why I did this and what this means during procedures, Dzingle said. We are using sophisticated equipment, so it takes a person more intelligent and motivated than average. They are seeing things that few dental studentsever see. CMU alumnus Joe Szymczak of Grand Rapids said there is a very close relationship between the staff and everyone is willing to cover for each other when exams roll around. Dzingle looks for students who are mature enough to know its a lot of mentoring but it is also job and hard work. I go to Centrals pre-dental club meetings when I look for future employees because its a great place to find motivated and intelligent students who are willing to work, Dzingle said. Szymczak feels he now has an edge over other dental students after working for Dzingle. I know the instruments, tools and procedures that you dont learn in class, Szymczak said. Working there has helped me know for sure that this is what I want to do.

'Being in the dental office all those years made dental school a lot easier,' Jeff said. He graduated in 2005 from the University of Michigan dental school. 'People in my classes were apprehensive about seeing people clinically. I wasn 't.'

Of the other four Dzingle children, each is pursuing a career in the health care field with three of the four pursuing some form of dentistry program. And they all got their start working in the dental office.

'It feels good coming back here, but it 's kind of like being summer schooled by your old man,' Jeremy said. With two more years of school ahead, Jeremy is looking forward to joining his brother and father in the Wisconsin Street practice. 'It 's like a residency.'

Next in line is the rebel son of the family, Jared. Attending Central Michigan University, as did his older brothers, Jared plans to transfer to Ferris State University and pursue a career as a pharmacist.

'Jared said, 'I 've seen what you go through and it 's not for me, '' Norman said with a ready smile. 'It 's not always easy. It 's stressful and there are a number of business things to take care of, like dealing with insurance companies.'

The youngest of the Dzingle clan is Jonathan, a junior at Mt. Pleasant High School. While working the front desk of the family business, Jonathan is considering whether he can pursue a 6-year program in dental surgery at Case Western Reserve. That would shave two years off the typical education for dentists.

'It feels great,' Norman said, barely able to keep his lanky frame in his seat. 'As with any professional, when I can download 30 years of experience to my sons and daughters, few will be able to touch them.

'Dental school doesn 't prepare you for the business side,' Jeff said. 'It 's part of why I came back. It would have been a lot tougher starting a practice on my own. Running a practice is the other 50 percent.'

'I 've always said, patients may complain about a lot of things, but never let them complain about the quality of your work,' Norman said. 'You have to take a hard line on quality. That 's why we are here and why will maintain a legacy.'

Central Michigan Life Your Central News Source Since 1919Staff Report | Academics, Student Life Pre-dental students assist dentist with surgery, prepare forfuture careersByBen Harris Senior Reporter Published Friday, December 2, 2011

The patient was placed under a general anesthetic and 15 tooth extractions were done. Cordell, a Mount Pleasant senior, said two of them would assist Dr. Dzingle at a time by suctioning and keeping the patient's tongue and lips out of the way while Dr. Dzingle drilled. The third person handed instruments to the others and observed.

'We just rotated so all of us could get a chance to assist, and then during the whole thing we got to learn a lot. I mean, Doc 's really good at talking through everything he does and telling us why he 's doing it,' Cordell said.

'Doc explains all the techniques he 's learned over the years, and he 's practiced for more than 35 years, so he has picked up so much since dental school,' he said. 'A lot of people go into the healthfield without going in and seeing blood; you don 't really know how you 're going to react to it. I know some people who have completely changed career paths because they couldn 't do it.'

'This time, the patient wasn 't awake, and with any of my other experiences of assisting, it has always been at Doc 's office and he has only used local anesthetic which is like a shot you get in your mouth,' he said.

'It was a great opportunity, and I didn 't think I 'd ever get to do something like that as an undergrad. It really gave us some insight in the different areas of dentistry, and some exposure to things we had not seen before,' Donovan said. 'And to get up close and personal like that is awesome.'

'When you shadow, usually, you more or less just see a certain degree of it. You just see the procedure, but with this job we 're able to see the whole nine yards and everything that goes into it,' Donovan said. 'That 's really eye-opening and helpful to me in deciding whether I want to do it or not. It 's a really cool opportunity.'

Our exceptional, friendly staff is a great asset to our practice. Our Dental Assistant; Dental Hygienist; Office Manager; and Receptionistare professionals who pride themselves on staying on the cutting edge of dentistry and patient communication. They have high standards of quality and integrity, and are motivated to achieve the best results for our family of patients.