Trapezio

Company History

The Academy of Orthodontic Assisting began as an idea in 1997 when Dr. Doug Depew, of Kennesaw, Georgia, found it extremely difficult to find new assistants who had experience for his rapidly growing practice (www.depewsmiles.com). Like other doctors, he found that hiring people and training them from scratch was extremely time consuming, frustrating, and usually not as effective and thorough as he would have wished.

After a year and a half of developing curriculum, study materials, audiovisuals, and tests, the Academy went through a thorough certification process with the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission of Georgia. The first class in the summer of 1998 consisted of three young ladies. All three were enthusiastic about their new careers, learned quickly, and were even hired before the class finished. As the word spread to colleagues around the Atlanta orthodontic community, they became very excited about the new source for motivated, well-trained assistants. Many began sending their own employees through the program and referring prospective employees for training prior to hiring them.

The success of the Kennesaw-based course inspired orthodontists around the country to bring the training to their areas.  Classroom-based courses were held in Tennessee, Nevada, Massachusetts, and Arizona.  In 2003 the Academy of Orthodontic Assisting began utilizing technology to make their curriculum available worldwide – taking the existing curriculum online.  The success of the online format allowed the classroom courses to be phased out by 2005.

With the addition of experienced IT, sales, and management stafff beginning in 2009, the Academy of Orthodontic Assisting became Trapezio and the training library quickly expanded to include advanced clinical courses and Academies for Treatment Coordinators, Financial Coordinators, and other non-clinical team members.   

 

Milestones

1998

• First orthodontic assistant training class begins in Northwest Atlanta

1999

• Second school opens in Northeast Atlanta as a franchise

2001

• Milestone of 200 graduates

2002

• Classroom program spreads to several other states
• Program becomes available online

2003

• Licensed in multiple new states

2004

• Dr Depew – featured speaker at the American Association of Orthodontists annual meeting in Hawaii
• DANB approves course for CE credit

2005

• First international classroom program opens in Australia
• Program revision-several new topics added
• 2nd edition of student textbook “Orthodontic Assisting – Technique and Theory”
• Clinical Efficiency Retreats become available
• Strategic alliance formed with TeleVox to integrate AOA lessons with their T.LINK product

2006

• Endorsed by the American Association of Orthodontists and formed a partnership to market and provide staff training to AAO members and their staffs.
• Dental Council of New Zealand requires Academy Certification for Orthodontic Auxiliaries.

2009

• Chad Greer hired as President to oversee business expansion and operations.
• Completes new state-of-the-art training facility, headquarters relocates to Acworth, GA.
• David Sullivan joins the company to lead IT and Product Development 
• Company name changes to Trapezio, LLC.
• Launches new technology platform and website.

2010

• Introduces the Team Certified program for qualified orthodontic offices
• Launches Academy of OrthoCommon Knowledge for non-clinical team members
• Signs letter of intent with Paul Zuelke for online Financial Coordinator program
• Creates partner alliances with Lori Garland Parker and Andrea Cook for clinical programs
• Establishes key partnership with Jackie Dorst for OSHA Safety program
• Renews endorsement by the American Association of Orthodontics
• Academy of Treatment Coordinators is Released - AAO 2010