Most dental assistants are not struggling because they are not capable. They are struggling because no one ever trained them properly.

Dental assisting is one of the most hands-on roles in dentistry, but many assistants are expected to perform, communicate, and anticipate everything without structured training or mentorship.

In this episode of The Dental Handoff, Dr. Kelly Tanner sits down with Julie Varney, RDA with 33 years chairside, to talk about the real skills nobody teaches, how to read your doctor, how to stay 10 steps ahead of the procedure, how to handle the anxious patient who walks in assuming the worst, and why so many dental assistants shut down when they feel picked at instead of supported.

This is not about clinical skills alone. It is about the system behind the role, and why so many talented assistants end up feeling overwhelmed, undervalued, or stuck.

Julie Varney, RDA, CDA, COA, CDIPC, FAADOM, is an experienced clinical dental assistant with over 30 years of chairside expertise. She specializes in efficient workflow, instrumentation, and real-time support that helps procedures run smoothly and predictably.

Julie is known for strengthening infection control protocols and clinical excellence without slowing down productivity. She works closely with dentists and their dental assistants to enhance communication, anticipate clinical needs, and improve overall patient care. Her hands-on approach helps dental teams build confidence, consistency, and clinical excellence.

Julie’s mission is to elevate the chairside clinical experience for both providers and patients through practical, results-driven

systems.

Connect with Julie:

https://www.instagram.com/dentalassistantsrock/

Where to Find Dr. Kelly:

Let's Connect! Book a Call today to see how I can help you create high-performance teams, discuss educational programs, or how I can be of assistance.

https://calendly.com/drkellytanner/30min

Visit us at https://www.nextleveldentalhygiene.com