Commander shadows dental assistant Airman

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Veronica McMahon
  • 325th Figher Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The 325th Fighter Wing commander learned the duties of a 325th Aerospace Medicine Squadron dental assistant apprentice June 18, as part of the Commander's Shadow Program.

Brigadier Gen. James Browne, 325th FW commander, shadowed Airman 1st Class Laura Zessinger, 325th AMDS dental assistance apprentice, while she assisted a dentist with a filling.

"I enjoyed showing him what we do on a daily basis," said Airman Zessinger. "I have a sense of pride in what I do and he made me feel like my job is important to the base."

General Browne changed into scrubs and wore safety glasses while he shadowed Airman Zessinger as she assisted the dentist.

"He seemed to be very interested in procedural detail," said Airman Zessinger. "Our main goal in the dental clinic is to make sure all of our enlisted troops are dentally deployable."

Airman Zessinger's primary duties include assisting dental officers with patient treatment by receiving patients, examining dental records and preparing patients for treatment. She also assists in emergency procedures; she retracts tissues, maintains clear operating fields and records entries in individual records indicating oral cavity condition and treatment accomplished.

"(Airman Zessinger) has proven to be an asset to the Dental Operations Flight demonstrating skills that are commensurate to those of a seasoned technician," said Senior Airman Sabrina Robertson, 325th AMDS, Airman Zessinger's supervisor and nominator. "She is a top-notch Airman and a leader among her peers in the 325th Fighter Wing."

Airman Zessinger hails from Maryville, Ill., and has served in the military nearly a year and a half.