Administration
Dr. Eldon Hastings
Founder/Director/Instructor
Dr. Eldon Hastings received his Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) from Brigham Young University and his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 1969.
He graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent Training Academy and was employed by the FBI as a special agent in Texas, Washington, D.C. and New York City.
He served as a councilman on the Gilbert Town Council from 1985-1987 and as vice mayor of Gilbert from 1987-1989.
Dr. Hastings has been involved in the community as a member of East Valley Mental Health Association, Desert Samaritan Hospital Advisory Board, American Academy of preventive Dentistry and the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is a retired member in good standing of the American Dental Association and the Arizona Dental Society.
Dr. Hastings was appointed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and served as a commissioner on the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education.
Dr. Hastings practiced dentistry for 40 years in Arizona and retired in 2009. He now devotes his full time to the American Institute of Dental Assisting, Mesa, Arizona.
Laura Thompson, D.A.
Finance Director
Laura began her career with the American Institute of Dental Assisting as an Administrative Assistant in 2006. With a desire to gain a better understanding of the student experience, she decided to enroll in the course herself. She completed the course and earned her dental assisting certificate and x-ray certification in 2007. This was valuable experience that helped in preparation for her new role as Student Services Director.
Since 2013, Laura has served in the role of Finance Director. With a passion of helping others, she enjoys working for an organization that is continually changing lives.
Holley N. Schneider, D.A.
Admissions Director
Holley graduated from the dental assisting program at Pima Medical Institute in 1998. She has earned her x-ray and coronal polishing certifications.
She has experience in many areas of dentistry including front and back office responsibilities and patient relations. Holley has many responsibilities at the school and really enjoys her interaction with students. Holley takes pride in her career and is happy helping students as they progress along their journey into dentistry. Holley is currently the Admissions Director of the American Institute of Dental Assisting.
Brenda Castanon D.A.
Senior Admissions Specialist
Brenda graduated from Dental Careers Plus in El Paso, TX in 1998. She enjoys her career as a dental assistant, and continues to take classes to expand her knowledge which gives her the ability to excel at her career. Brenda loves working with our students in admissions and student services.
Tammy Bos D.A.
Director of Instructors, Instructor
Tammy graduated from a local dental assisting school and received her Arizona State x-ray certification in 1988. She is passionate about her career in dentistry and enjoys the opportunity of sharing experiences with her students. Tammy regularly attends continuing education classes to stay abreast of the latest innovations in dentistry. This helps her better assist her students to learn the skills they need to enter the dental assisting field. Her students love her and the vast amount of experience she has to share with them. Tammy currently works full time as a dental assistant to a general dentist.
Crystal Erickson
Student Services Administrator
Crystal graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree focusing on psychology, family social science, and public health. Since graduating, she has worked in non-profit organizations, the health & fitness industry, and higher education – always in a role geared towards helping people to make a positive change in their lives and the lives of others. Helping people is a passion of hers and she gets to do just that here with our students daily. Crystal graduated as Dental Assistant from The American Institute of Dental Assisting.