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VEGAS INC C OV E R STO RY Economist: 'You need people to come into the field without having to be trained' vocational, From page 1 orthodontists at the Henderson university. Roseman, which has a second campus in Utah, also offers degree programs in nursing and pharmacology. Both require clinic work that typically is done off campus. When the Roseman clinic is up and running, it looks like any other orthodontist's office. Dentists interact with patients, affix braces to their teeth, adjust devices and treat problems that arise. But the dentists are orthodontic students, and the patients get work done at a bargain price. "We're an education center," said Jaleh Pourhamidi, Roseman's dean of dental pourhamidi medicine. "The cost can be significantly lower." "There is interactive learning going on, so it's good for the patients and students," she added. The residents are licensed dentists who work under the supervision of board-certified faculty members. Interactive learning is far from a foreign concept in Southern Nevada. An Internet search for local vocational schools yields a long list of results. Valley schools offer classes in bartending, gaming, jewelry repair, cooking, Web design and more. While some schools offer instruction strictly in a classroom setting or simulated environment, a few, including Roseman, allow students to interact with people seeking a service. 14 20130408_VI01_F.indd 14 Economist Bill Robinson, who teaches at UNLV, called those schools essential to the economy. "You need people to come into the field without having to be trained," Robinson said. "You need people who can start a business and operate independently." nnn Money is tight for many people these days, and consumers have cut back their spending on non-essentials. But there's still a market for many personal services. And if those services come cheap, consumers see that as all the better, Enter Paul Mitchell The School. The beauty school on South paul Eastern Avenue in Las Vegas serves as hair salon and classroom. Cosmetology students learn cut and color techniques, while clients get pampered for a fraction of the typical cost. "Everyone always needs a haircut," Admissions Leader Stacie Paul said. At the school, a style and blow dry costs $10. Basic hair coloring starts at $27. The same services can cost more than $100 at a typical salon. The low price draws customers such as Tamalii Saole. Saole, a regular, said she was impressed with the care she received. "I'm retired, and I can't afford to go anywhere else," Saole said. "This is the best. All of the girls are good." At Roseman, orthodontic customers pay $140 a month, no matter how much their total bill costs. No interest accrues and no hidden fees are added. For example, if a patient's care costs $3,000, he or she would pay $140 monthly for just under two years, until the amount is paid off. Patients with insurance only pay the remaining balance after what their policy covers. "We want to give as many people this benefit," Pourhamidi said. "We make sure we work with people so they can afford what we have to offer." Students at Las Vegas' European Massage Therapy School offer a bit of luxury at a low cost. "I always say, 'Massage is the best preventive medicine out there,'" Director John Teng Teng said. "Once they find out the benefits, they keep coming for more." An 80-minute massage at the European Massage Therapy School costs $45; a 50-minute massage runs about $30. Both are considerably cheaper than at most salons and spas. The school also offers specials for return clients. Bruce Gelb has been a regular client of the school since it opened in 2006. "It's very reasonably priced," Gelb said. "I've had maybe five or six different therapists, and they have all been good." While the prices are affordable, some customers initially are apprehensive about getting care from students. To be sure, some services take longer — instructors have to check students' work and advise them on techniques. But for the most part, the clinics mimic a professional environment. Help is readily available, and instructors focus on efficiency without sacrificing quality. "When people hear of schools, people think that things aren't run as efficiently or things aren't as nice," said Pourhamidi, whose orthodontic clinic averages about 80 patients a day. "Unfortunately, sometimes you affiliate a school with a lower socioeconomic status. That's not the case at all." Adding to Pourhamidi's confidence is the equipment the clinic has secured. Roseman strives to keep on top of dentistry trends. "We have amazing equipment that some free-standing orthodontists don't have," Pourhamidi said. "The facility is top notch. It's brand new. It's beautiful, and we don't skimp on anything. The care is not subpar to anything." Once people visit the clinic, their fears typically are allayed. They see how quickly things move and how polite and professional the students are, Pourhamidi said. Paul said the same about the Paul Mitchell school. "Once our guests experience the service at the school with the educators being part of every step, the apprehension is eased," she said. nnn Still, first days are always tense. Teng recalled a former student whose nerves got the better of her the day she gave her first professional massage. "She threw up," Teng said. "Several | 8 APRIL 2013 | 4/4/13 2:17:12 PM