Cooper Aiken: Winthrop Dental Business Intern

Cooper Aiken is Cranford Dental’s Dental Business intern. He is working at our office to learn the business of dentistry. We have enjoyed working with Cooper over the past months. 

Cooper worked with “the best” in our front office: Kathy Haire and Lisa Werner. They love people and the business of dentistry. They enjoyed teaching Cooper.

We trust that his new knowledge of the business side of dentistry will help give Cooper a vision for how he will operate as a dentist in the future.

Dental Business: A Winthrop Student’s Perspective

Have you called Cranford Dental lately and heard the voice of a strange MAN on the other end? Or seen a man in scrubs sitting at the front desk? I am Cooper Aiken, a junior pre-dental student at Winthrop University. 

I love watching movies and spending time with my lovely wife, Katelyn. We have lived in Rock Hill for about 2 years now. We are originally from Columbia, SC.

The shock of hearing a MAN on the phone at Cranford Dental couldn’t be as great as my surprise in learning that the Cranfords accepted me as a business intern at their office. I was a happy guy to get this opportunity!

Business Dental Internship

My major at Winthrop University is Health Care Management. The AUPHA certified program requires students to complete a 400 hour internship in a health care facility. 

Since my goal is to attend dental school and then own and operate my own practice, I was determined to do an internship at a dental office. The problem-I had to find one.

I started by visiting over a dozen dental practices in the Rock Hill area. I had no success. Dental offices do not typically offer business internships.

Eventually I met with Dr. Bill Cranford and Martha and Dr. Elizabeth Robinson. They interviewed me and discussed jobs that I could do that would help me understand how to run a dental office. Martha had several ideas for projects I could complete over the summer. The rest is history.

I gained invaluable experience this summer. Most dentists never learn what it is like to work in the front office. I am grateful for this opportunity to understand the dental business. Cooper Aiken

My Internship Experience

I could not have WISHED for an internship experience with better people than here at Cranford Dental. Every single member of the staff is a joy to be around. 

Internships are often nerve racking because of the steep learning curve. The gang here at the office has made learning a blast!

Seeing Joy in Serving Others

It is abundantly clear that helping and serving others are passions for the Cranford Dental family. As I have observed and learned, I have seen first-hand the quality of care they provide to each one of their patients.

I love watching the Lisa and Kathy at the front desk greet patients with a smile as patients enter the front door. I am confident that the hygienists and assistants give top notch dental care in the treatment rooms. 

The employees here really know the patients and have ownership in making them feel comfortable. The staff members value training and compassionate care.

Good lessons in the type of people I would like to work with in my own dental practice!

Learning Dentistry the Right Way   

The business side of dentistry is an important skill that many dentists wish they had learned more about prior to graduating. The Cranfords blessed me with the opportunity to gain valuable insight into that part of the dental industry.   

I have learned LOADS about dentistry and how a practice operates. I look forward to my continued education during this “real-world” experiential learning.   

This is certainly the right way to learn dentistry.   

Meet Cooper Aiken

Please introduce yourself next time we are on the phone or you see me in the office; hopefully I won’t scare  you away:). 

If you would like to make a dental appointment call Cranford Dental at 803-324-7670 and ask for Cooper. I will practice my phone and appointment making skills on you.

Email Cranford Dental and note Cooper and I will respond with an appointment time.

I look forward to meeting you!