Faculty
Dr. Karen Barwick, DDS
Program Director
Dr. Barwick is a graduate of UNC School of Dentistry and was in private practice from 1987 until she sold her Practice in 2022. Currently, she spends her time TRAVELING, filling in for local colleagues and growing and refreshing the DATC Program.
Jennifer Busfield
Digital Development and Online Reputation
Connected in some form or fashion to the DATC Program since its early days, Jen Busfield is a huge proponent for how the program continues to usher positive growth opportunities in the lives of all involved – students, faculty, staff – and how it continues to build a strong community. With over ten years of professional engagement in the digital industry, Jen helps support the program’s online presence and talks with students about how to curate their online reputation with job acquisition in mind. Jen is an avid story collector and teller; and loves having the chance to witness students’ stories unfold towards happy endings – and new beginnings – in the dental field. Jen encourages people to connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Michelle McGee
Registered Dental Hygienist, Instructor
Michelle is a Registered Dental Hygienist who graduated in 2011 from the University of NC at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. She has held an OSHA officer position in private practice offices since 2012. Michelle has also clinically instructed radiology with DATC since 2016. Prior to dentistry, Michelle used her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in various Human Resources capacities.
Tracey Thompson
Registered Dental Hygienist, Instructor
Tracey is a Registered Dental Hygienist. She holds a 1996 Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences and Dental Hygiene from Guilford Technical Community College. She completed a course at UNC School of Dentistry to instruct, test and certify students in Dental Radiology by the North Carolina State Board Of Dental Examiners (G.S. 90-29 ( c ) (12). She is the OSHA/SPICE Officer for DATC. She has been an instructor for OSHA since 2006. She also has experience assisting and instructing for Hooper’s Dental Consulting/Continuing Education.
Sydney Wesson
Sydney graduated from Alamance Community College in 2024, and is a current undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she is pursuing a major in Biology and a double minor in Chemistry, and Neuroscience.
Since 2022, Sydney has been working for DATC, where she earned my certification in radiology. She enjoys photographing throughout the session to capture and record the student’s growth and milestones. Sydney’s. ultimate goal is to become a dentist.
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General information: admin@datcinc.com
Email Tracey for questions regarding Health Forms
Email Dr. Barwick for questions regarding Attendance, tuition payments, rotation requirements, approved offices and completed hours
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Dental Assistant I and Dental Assistant II
In North Carolina, there are two classifications for Dental Assistants (DAI and DAII.) North Carolina does NOT certify assistants. Classification is based on experience and/or training as listed below. It is up to the employer to verify an assistant's qualifications and determine if he/she is a DAI or DAII.
Education and Training Requirements
To be classified as a Dental Assistant II, an assistant shall meet one of the following
criteria:
(1) completion of:
(a) an ADA-accredited dental assisting program and current certification in CPR; or
(b) one academic year or longer in an ADA-accredited dental hygiene program, and current certification in CPR; or
(2) completion of the Dental Assistant certification examination(s) administered by the Dental Assisting National Board and current certification in CPR; or
Education and Training Requirements (Cont'd)
(3) completion of:
(a) a 3-hour course in sterilization and infection control;
(b) a 3-hour course in dental office emergencies; and
(c) current certification in CPR.
(d) after completing Sub-Items (3)(b), (c), and (d) of this Rule, dental assistants may be trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist, except as listed in Sub-Item 3(e) of this Rule.
(e) dental assistants may take radiographs after completing radiology training consistent with G.S. 90-29(c)(12).
(f) full-time employment and experience as a chairside assistant for two years (3,000 hours) of the preceding five, during which period the assistant may be trained in any dental delivery setting and allowed to perform the functions of a Dental Assistant II under the direct control and supervision of a licensed dentist.
Radiography Requirements
A certified dental assistant [(one who successfully completes the DANB exam (see (3) above)] or an assistant who completes an ADA-accredited dental assisting or dental hygiene program may take radiographs without further examination. All others, including those who move to North Carolina from out-of-state, must successfully pass an equivalency exam. This exam may be challenged after completing "seven hours of instruction in the production and use of dental x-rays and an education program of not less than fourteen hours in clinical dental radiology." You must be able to prove that you have the minimal amount of training to be eligible to take the radiology equivalency exam, or you may take a course prior to taking the exam. Any Board approved radiography course is acceptable and any approved course's final examination is recognized as the equivalency exam.
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