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TWO-WEEK DENTAL OBSERVERSHIP IN PASADENA
Step Inside a U.S. Dental Practice
See how the pieces come together, from patient communication to digital workflows. Eligible Astra participants may extend their bench preparation experience with a complimentary two-week, observation-only experience at Smile Now Dental Studio, next door to Astra.
For eligible Astra participants • Pasadena, California • Limited availability • Observation only
Observership dates, eligibility, and scheduling will be confirmed before participation. No hands-on patient care is included. Dates will be announced soon. Request updates without payment or commitment.
Connect Bench Preparation with Everyday Dentistry
Bench preparation focuses on manual skills in a controlled simulation environment. An observership offers a different perspective: how a dental team gathers information, communicates with patients, considers treatment options, and coordinates care inside a working practice.
At Astra, these experiences have distinct roles. Timed practice, repetition, and Real feedback support bench-skills development. Observation at Smile Now Dental Studio helps internationally trained dentists become more familiar with the systems and workflows used in U.S. private practice. Neither experience substitutes for accredited education, clinical training, licensure, or school-specific requirements.
Practice with Purpose
Astra’s simulation approach emphasizes repeated preparation, controlled exercises, and feedback on areas that need improvement.
Observe the Clinical Context
See how imaging, patient conversations, documentation, and treatment planning contribute to everyday clinical decisions.
Reflect on What You See
Use your observations to identify questions, connect ideas, and describe your own experience accurately.
What You May Observe Inside the Practice
Practice Systems and Patient Flow
Intraoral Scanning and Digital Workflows
Practice Systems and Patient Flow
Observe how appointments, patient records, charting, and team coordination support the daily operation of a dental practice.
Imaging and Diagnostic Review
Intraoral Scanning and Digital Workflows
Practice Systems and Patient Flow
See how FMX, panoramic imaging, and CBCT may contribute to diagnostic review and treatment planning when relevant cases are scheduled.
Intraoral Scanning and Digital Workflows
Intraoral Scanning and Digital Workflows
Treatment Planning and Patient Communication
Observe how intraoral scanning captures digital information and how clinicians use it within selected treatment workflows.
Treatment Planning and Patient Communication
Clear-Aligner and Selected Clinical Workflows
Treatment Planning and Patient Communication
Observe how clinical findings and treatment options are explained, how questions are addressed, and how patient preferences enter the discussion.
Clear-Aligner and Selected Clinical Workflows
Clear-Aligner and Selected Clinical Workflows
Clear-Aligner and Selected Clinical Workflows
Explore the connection between digital records, planning, and clear-aligner care when suitable appointments are available. Other procedures, such as whitening, may be observed when scheduled.
Infection Control and Professional Conduct
Clear-Aligner and Selected Clinical Workflows
Clear-Aligner and Selected Clinical Workflows
Observe the office’s infection-control routines, team communication, privacy practices, and expectations for professional behavior.
The experience follows the appointments and workflows of an active dental office, so the topics above depend on patient permission, clinical scheduling, and availability. Not every procedure or technology listed may be observed during a given observership. Patient care and privacy take priority.
How the Two-Week Experience May Be Structured
Week 1 — Understanding the Practice
Week 2 — Connecting Information with Clinical Decisions
Week 2 — Connecting Information with Clinical Decisions
- Orientation to the office and expectations for observers.
- Patient flow, scheduling, and practice-management systems.
- Charting and documentation workflows.
- Infection control, privacy, and professional conduct.
- Observation of patient consultations and imaging workflows when available.
Week 2 — Connecting Information with Clinical Decisions
Week 2 — Connecting Information with Clinical Decisions
Week 2 — Connecting Information with Clinical Decisions
- Further observation of treatment-planning conversations.
- Digital scanning and clear-aligner workflows when scheduled.
- How clinical information is communicated to patients.
- Opportunities for questions and case discussion when clinic flow permits.
- Reflection on the workflows and professional practices observed.
About This Outline
Week 2 — Connecting Information with Clinical Decisions
About This Outline
This illustrative outline shows how observation topics may progress. It is not a confirmed, fixed curriculum.
The actual schedule will be confirmed before participation and will follow clinic operations and available appointments. Topics may overlap between weeks, and clinical activity determines the order and availability of observations.
What a Day May Look Like
Observe
Ask and Connect
Ask and Connect
Follow selected appointments and office workflows as permitted by the practice.
This is an example of the experience, not a fixed daily timetable. Attendance expectations and scheduling will be confirmed individually.
Ask and Connect
Ask and Connect
Ask and Connect
Discuss relevant questions with the supervising team when time and patient-care responsibilities allow.
Reflect
Ask and Connect
Reflect
Record general learning points and questions in a personal observation journal, without patient names, identifying details, photographs, or copies of patient records. The journal is a personal reflection tool, not an official record or credential.
Learn from a Dentist Who Has Walked the Advanced Standing Path
Dr. Rohit Basson earned his DDS through the University of Oklahoma’s ASPID pathway in 2014 and has practiced in California since then. As the owner of Smile Now Dental Studio and founder of Astra, he brings personal experience of the Advanced Standing journey and everyday U.S. dental practice.
Smile Now Dental Studio • 950 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 201, Pasadena, California • Next door to Astra Test Prep
Bench Preparation and Observership: Two Perspectives
Astra Bench Preparation
Astra Bench Preparation
Astra Bench Preparation
- Takes place in the simulation facility.
- Focuses on typodont preparations and manual skills.
- Includes timed exercises, repetition, and Real feedback according to the confirmed offering.
- Does not involve treatment of patients.
Smile Now Observership
Astra Bench Preparation
Astra Bench Preparation
- Takes place inside a working dental practice.
- Focuses on observing clinical and operational workflows.
- Follows available appointments and clinic activity.
- Includes no hands-on patient care.
Plan Your Timing
Astra Bench Preparation
Plan Your Timing
The observership is a separate two-week opportunity for eligible Astra participants, subject to availability. Confirm whether it takes place before or after bench preparation, and plan your travel and total time commitment accordingly.
Dental Observership Questions
Practical answers about the planned observership at Smile Now Dental Studio. If your question is not covered here, call Astra at (626) 314-7888.
It is intended for eligible Astra participants who want to become more familiar with the workflows of a U.S. dental practice. Eligibility and availability must be confirmed before participation.
Eligible Astra participants may be offered a complimentary two-week observership at Smile Now Dental Studio, subject to availability. Travel, accommodation, meals, and other personal expenses are not represented as included. Confirm the arrangements before making travel plans.
The opportunity currently described is for eligible Astra participants. Contact Astra to clarify eligibility; standalone observership enrollment is not advertised.
No. This is observation only. Participants do not provide hands-on patient care, perform procedures, or independently access patient records.
Not necessarily. Exposure depends on scheduled appointments, clinical suitability, patient permission, and practice operations.
Do not assume the experiences run concurrently. The timing and sequence must be confirmed with Astra before participation or travel arrangements.
The schedule and attendance expectations will be confirmed before participation.
No. Astra does not award academic credit, CE credit, or professional credentials, and letters of recommendation are not part of this opportunity.
No. Each dental school sets its own requirements and makes its own admissions decisions. Participants should review the current requirements of their target programs. Review our CAAPID application guide.
Participants must follow the practice’s instructions, privacy requirements, infection-control expectations, and professional conduct standards. Observation is subject to patient permission and may be limited when clinical circumstances require it.
Use the availability form to register your interest. Dates and participation details will be shared when confirmed. Submitting interest does not reserve a place or require payment.
Plan Your Next Steps
Bench Preparation
CAAPID Application Guide
CAAPID Application Guide
Understand Astra’s approach to simulation, repeated practice, and feedback.
CAAPID Application Guide
CAAPID Application Guide
CAAPID Application Guide
Explore the application process and check each school’s current requirements.
Learning Center
CAAPID Application Guide
Learning Center
Find resources on Advanced Standing pathways and bench preparation.
Interested in Seeing Dentistry Beyond the Bench?
Learn more about the planned observership opportunity at Smile Now Dental Studio and how it may fit with your Astra preparation. Register your interest to receive confirmed availability and participation details.
Prefer to talk? Call Astra at (626) 314-7888.
No payment or commitment is required to request updates. Participation is subject to eligibility, confirmed scheduling, and availability.
Observation only; no hands-on patient care. Astra does not award degrees, diplomas, academic credit, CE credit, or professional credentials. Admission, licensure, and employment decisions rest solely with dental schools, licensing boards, and employers.
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