GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Blake Smith topped the excellence bar in late June when he won first place at the National Leadership & Conference and Skills USA Championship, where his skills were tested with 40 other national competitors. 

 

The event, which took place in Atlanta, is tied to vocational and trade schools and programs around the U.S. and it draws thousands of competitors from different trades and vocations around the U.S. Prior to Atlanta, Blake won the Massachusetts competition, which also had 40 dental assistant competitors. 

 

"CHP now has the best dental assistant in the U.S., working right here at Neighborhood Dental Center alongside our excellent dental care team," said Nicole Wilkinson, who is CHP's director of dental operations. 

 

Wilkinson hired Blake just two days into his training rotation at NDC, which was part of his vocational program at McCann Technical School in North Adams.   Blake, who is 32, had been an occupational therapy assistant until deciding on a career change to dental assisting. He found the training he needed at McCann. 

 

SkillsUSA, according to its website, is "a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce...A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school and college/post-secondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations." 

 

SkillsUSA is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor as a successful model for employer-driven youth development training. 

 

The Skills USA competition tests contestants in fields ranging from robotics to manufacturing technology, criminal justice, firefighting and bakery and pastry arts. Digital cinema production, carpentry and automotive service are among many other skills measured in the competition. 

 

Blake had to demonstrate his skills in instrument passing, high volume evacuator placement (suction), retraction, illumination and other skills dentists need at their side as they do dental procedures—not unlike the skills a surgical technician brings to an operating room. 

 

"I love this job, and working at CHP brings me great joy, knowing that I'm helping to provide health care and dentistry to my community," said Blake. "I feel pride knowing that I'm making a difference alongside dentists I work with, and with this excellent dental care team at NDC."