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Red Cross dental assistant program comes to Shaw

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Blackwell
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The Red Cross dental assistant volunteer program offers spouses, dependents and friends of Team Shaw personnel an opportunity to become a skilled dental (chair-side) assistant free of charge.

"For a while we were hurting for dental assistants," explained Col. David Mapes, 20th Dental Squadron commander. "Through this program we not only received help, but were able to give back to the community by developing dental assistants."

The three most recent graduates, Taylor Kirkland, Red Cross volunteer, Helene Rogish, Red Cross volunteer and spouse of Tech. Sgt. Robert Rogish, 20th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Sunshine Maldonado, Red Cross volunteer and spouse of Tech. Sgt. Jose Maldonado, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron, were awarded their certificates of completion for the six-month program Sept. 24.

The first part of the program is a one-month classroom session, in which general dental information is taught. The remaining five months are practical application, where program participants get hands-on experience in a supervised environment.

In addition to the classroom and hands-on knowledge received through the program, volunteers also become certified and licensed to take radiographs (x-rays) in a dental setting by completing South Carolina's radiation safety exam.

Major Louis Marconyak, 20th DS advanced clinical dentist, explained that comparable programs that offer roughly the same amount of classroom and practical application (to include a state licensed radiation safety exam), generally cost over $1,000 dollars in registration fees and resources needed to complete the course. The Red Cross dental assistant volunteer program however, is free.

"I am very thankful for this opportunity," Rogish said. "They gave us the tools we need to go start a career."

"My favorite part was working with all the different doctors," Maldonado explained.

"The biggest benefit the program gave me was the confidence I got from the hands-on experience," Kirkland added. "It really gave me confidence that I can perform my job in any setting."

After working 40-hour weeks for six months totaling approximately 900 hours, program participants are awarded their certificate of completion. This certification is recognized by any Air Force installation, and most local private practices near the installation, giving them a major edge over someone without prior experience.

"Having this certification makes them extremely marketable," Marconyak explained. "Not only does this training help in the military, it also helps in civilian dentistry as well."

All of the recent program graduates expressed their sincerest thanks for the program and for the doctors and staff members who helped train them throughout the process.

The Red Cross dental assistant volunteer program is held periodically at Shaw depending on demand, opportunity and personnel. Currently, the next class is scheduled for the spring of 2013; registration information will be made available closer to the date of the program.