JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- Nine students graduated from the American Red Cross Dental Assistant Program during an Oct. 15 ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel.
The program, which is the first of its kind offered at JBLM, was implemented in February 2015 and is sponsored, taught and executed by the JBLM Dental Activity. It is offered free of charge to military identification card holders, age 18 and older, and provides students with basic dental education and skills.
Army family member and student Alma Robison has always been interested in the surgical field. In fact, she was trying to get into a surgical technician program at a local community college. However, when her Family Readiness Group leader sent her an email about the dental assistant program, she talked it over with her husband, who had also emailed her about the course, and then decided to give it a try.
"This is a really good program for anyone who is interested in the dental field," Robison said.
Offered at several military installations across the nation, this program not only teaches volunteers how to do fillings and sealants, but also how to take X-rays and assist dentists in oral surgery.
Upon completion, students receive a certificate declaring them as qualified dental assistants, opening doors for employment opportunities on and off base. This course also equips individuals with the knowledge needed to take the dental assistant board certification examination.
"Volunteers in the program have the opportunity to complete the required 960 hours of training needed to apply for a GS-3 dental assistant position," said Edward Huffman, program manager.
As a recent graduate of the program, Robison said, "I would recommend this course to anyone interested in dentistry. It's great training and a great way to get your foot in the door."
Huffman, who is also a former Navy dental technician, said the best part of being the program manager is when the students figure out the importance of being a dental assistant.
"Once they realize that they are making a significant impact on the patient and they begin to understand the importance of what they're doing, that's the most fulfilling part for me," Huffman said.
Robison's future plans will include job hunting for a dental assistant position. She also wants to begin taking classes to learn more about other areas of dentistry, such as oral maxillofacial surgery.
At the time of this article's publication, there were several dental assistant positions available on JBLM.
The next course is tentatively scheduled to begin February 2016. Interested individuals must also be registered as a Red Cross volunteer.
For more information about the American Red Cross Dental Assistant Program, please contact Edward Huffman, program manager, (253) 966-7756.
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