Angela Landsberg
Executive Director | director@sdcds.org
https://sdcdsacademy.org/
CASE STUDY 1
Tell us briefly about your dental practice before launching your school.
The San Diego County Dental Society created the Academy of Learning to offer a high-quality educational resource designed to meet the needs of its members. As the organization representing over 2000+ dentists, SDCDS recognized the importance of supporting its members and their teams with continuing education that strengthens clinical excellence and operational efficiency. The Academy was developed as a true member benefit, providing opportunities for dental practices to cultivate well-trained, highly knowledgeable staff who can deliver exceptional patient care.
Why Did You Decide to Start a Dental Assisting School?
Since COVID-19, SDCDS members have consistently reported significant staffing challenges, including high turnover, difficulty recruiting skilled team members, and the need for more comprehensive training to keep pace with changing practice demands. The pandemic amplified long-standing workforce shortages and left many dental offices struggling to maintain stable, well-prepared teams.
In our most recent member survey, dentists identified qualified and well-trained staff as one of the top benefits they wanted SDCDS to help provide. This clear feedback highlighted the need for structured educational support and reinforced the importance of developing the Academy of Learning to strengthen practice teams across the county.
How was your experience working with CalDoc to get California exempted/licensed and setting up your school?
Throughout the development of the Academy of Learning, CalDoc demonstrated exceptional professionalism and support, making them an invaluable partner in bringing this initiative to life.
Their team, Julian, Ray, Rachel, and Nicole, provided clear guidance at every stage, offered thoughtful recommendations based on best practices, and consistently responded with efficiency and expertise. They helped streamline decision-making, ensured timelines stayed on track, and made the entire process smooth and well-organized.
How has our curriculum helped you launch and maintain a high-quality program?
CalDoc provided our organization with a comprehensive curriculum designed to support the successful launch and operation of the Academy of Learning. Along with the curriculum, they offered ongoing guidance and made themselves fully available to answer questions, troubleshoot challenges, and ensure smooth implementation.
How have enrollments been since launching your program?
Enrollment has been one of the more challenging aspects of launching the program, as attracting and recruiting qualified candidates requires both time and consistent outreach. However, having CalDoc’s ready-to-use templates and recruitment materials has significantly eased this workload. Their resources have streamlined our efforts and provided clear messaging.
Are you adding any of our additional programs (such as dental receptionist, lab technician, our 4-week, 280 hour accelerated POD course with iTero certification or others)?
SDCDS is committed to growing the Academy of Learning by expanding both the number of students who participate and the range of programs offered.
Would you recommend CalDoc to other dentists or entrepreneurs? Why or why not?
As an Executive Director, I can confidently recommend CalDoc to any dental society looking to expand its offerings and provide high-quality professional training for its members’ staff. Their team brought exceptional expertise, organization, and genuine partnership to the development of our Academy of Learning.
Lilly Theresa Robertson
Successful Multi-Program
School Owner
CASE STUDY 2
Tell us briefly about your dental practice before launching your school.
Before launching my school, I worked in private dental practice, where I gained hands-on experience in both chairside assisting and office management. My time in the dental field allowed me to develop a deep understanding of patient care, treatment planning, infection control, and the importance of teamwork in a clinical setting. I also learned the day-to-day operations of running a successful practice — from scheduling and insurance coordination to building strong relationships with patients and colleagues. Those experiences inspired me to create a program that trains future dental professionals with real-world skills, professionalism, and confidence, just as I was taught in the field.
Why Did You Decide to Start a Dental Assisting School?
I wanted to start my own program because I saw a real need for affordable, accelerated, and hands-on training options in the dental field in my community. Working in a dental practice, I met so many people who were eager to start careers in healthcare but couldn’t afford long or expensive college programs. I wanted to create a school that gave students the opportunity to gain real skills, confidence, and certifications in a short time — while still meeting the high standards of professionalism expected in the field.
Before launching the program, one of my biggest challenges was finding qualified, reliable dental assistants and support staff. Many new hires came in undertrained or lacked the confidence to perform clinical tasks. That gap between what schools were teaching and what dental offices actually needed is what pushed me to find a curriculum that truly prepares students for the real world — combining hands-on learning, externships, and professional development.
How have enrollments been since launching your program?
Enrollments have been very strong since launching the program, and we’ve continued to see steady growth each session. In the beginning, we started with just a handful of students who were mostly referred by local dental offices and word of mouth. Since then, interest has grown through community outreach, social media, and positive student reviews. We currently have anywhere from 10-15 students per class.
We now run multiple cohorts throughout the year, and many of our graduates refer friends or family members who want to follow in their footsteps. That’s been the biggest compliment — seeing our students’ success attract the next generation. I’ve also expanded our offerings to include other allied health programs, which has helped us reach even more people who are looking for fast, affordable, and high-quality training.
Are you adding any of our additional programs (such as dental receptionist, medical assisting, or others)?
We have your Dental Assisting, and Clinical Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy programs going now, and are expanding into other areas with your curriculums soon.
What impact has running your school had on your practice or personal life?
Running my school has had a huge impact on both my professional and personal life.
Professionally, it’s given me the chance to grow as a leader and educator while making a lasting impact on the dental community. Seeing my students graduate, find jobs, and change their lives has been incredibly rewarding. It’s also strengthened my relationships with local dental offices and created a strong network of employers who trust the quality of our training.
On a personal level, it’s been life-changing. Starting a school pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me perseverance, patience, and confidence. It’s not always easy — there are long days and constant challenges — but it’s worth every bit of effort when I see students walk across the stage or land their first dental job. It’s also shown my family what’s possible when you believe in your purpose and put in the work. This experience has truly been one of the proudest accomplishments of my life.
Has it grown since you started the school?
Yes, the program has grown tremendously since I first started it. What began as a small local dental assisting class has expanded into multiple programs and partnerships throughout my area. Over time, we’ve added additional certifications, built strong relationships with dental offices for externships and job placement, and developed a reputation for producing confident, skilled graduates.
Our enrollment has increased each session through your marketing services, word of mouth, community outreach, and successful student outcomes. I’ve also grown my team — adding instructors, coordinators, and office support — to ensure our students receive the same quality of education and mentorship that the program was founded on.
Seeing that growth, both in the school and in our students’ success stories, has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
How was your experience working with CalDoc to get licensed and set up your school?
My experience working with CalDoc was extremely positive. The team helped guide me through the licensing and setup process step by step, which can be overwhelming when you’re starting a school from the ground up. They were knowledgeable, responsive, and supportive — especially when it came to meeting state requirements, developing compliant curriculum materials, and preparing the necessary documentation.
They provided a clear framework, but they also allowed me to keep my own vision and personality in the program. That balance made all the difference. I appreciated how they made the process feel achievable, even when it seemed complex. Overall, working with CalDoc gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to launch successfully and continue expanding.
How has our curriculum helped you launch and maintain a high-quality program?
The curriculum has been a huge part of building and maintaining a high-quality program. It gave me a strong foundation to start with — everything from lesson plans and skill checklists to exams and externship requirements was already organized and aligned with industry and exceeded state standards. That structure allowed me to focus on what I do best: teaching, mentoring, and growing the program.
It also made it much easier to ensure consistency and compliance with state and national expectations. Because the materials are so detailed and up to date, my students are learning exactly what they need to succeed in the field. Over time, I’ve been able to have CalDoc help me to personalize the curriculum to reflect the needs of our community and local dental offices, but it’s that original framework that keeps the program strong, credible, and effective.
How has our curriculum helped you launch and maintain a high-quality program?
Absolutely, I would highly recommend CalDoc to any dentist or entrepreneur who’s considering starting their own program. They made what initially felt like an overwhelming process completely manageable. From licensing and curriculum development to compliance and classroom setup, they guided me every step of the way with professionalism and genuine support.
What really stood out to me was how personalized the experience was. They didn’t just hand me a generic plan, they took the time to understand my goals, my community, and my vision for the school. That partnership helped me launch confidently and continue to grow successfully. If someone is serious about building a quality, compliant, and sustainable educational program, CalDoc and their partner companies are absolutely the team to work with.
