LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The next Red Cross Dental Assistant Program is scheduled to start in June, with another training class starting in the fall.
The free program, which is offered to military dependents and retirees, trains volunteers as dental assistants.
During the six-month program, students learn basic dental anatomy and terminology, emergency procedures and equipment, basic dental sciences, infection control and sterilization, dental record management and appointment scheduling, and dental radiology.
Graduates earn an American Red Cross certificate of training, which may also translate to transfer credits for programs that provide full certification.
According to Capt. (Dr.) Trevor Fraser, a general dentist from the 1st Dental Squadron, the dental assistant program serves a two-fold purpose.
First, the six month program trains volunteers to become dental assistants. As trained assistants, they can either become dental assistants at other bases or at civilian dental practices. In the past, program graduates have even joined Langley's dental clinic.
Second, having assistants increases the manpower of the dental clinic. The added manpower helps offset manning lost due to deployments and temporary duties, various wing- and group-level taskings and leave, as well as allowing adequate time and resources for 1st DS Airmen to receive upgrade training.
"Between people having appointments or being deployed, it's extra good assistance," said Dr. James Waring, a dental surgeon from the 1st DS.
Mrs. Shelia Medina, a military spouse, first heard about the program when she and her husband, Staff Sgt. Wilfred Medina Jr., 83rd Network Operations Squadron, lived in Germany. She contacted the Red Cross when they moved here and learned Langley also offered the program.
"I joined the program because I love everything about the mouth and teeth. said Mrs. Medina. I think it's something exciting.".
Dr. Waring said he finds dental assistants like Mrs. Medina to be "incredibly enthusiastic" about the program.
"They're like sponges; they want to learn everything," said Dr. Waring. "I support the program wholeheartedly."
Mrs. Medina, who's currently in the program, said she's learning more than expected.
"I have been in the program four-and- a-half months and I'm still learning. This program has helped me grow as a person," said Mrs. Medina.
According to the American Red Cross Office here, the program often has more applicants than training slots.
People interested in the fall program can call the Red Cross office at (757) 225-4060 for more information.