MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to participate in the Dental Assistance Program beginning in February.
Due to the 65 percent turn over rate the dental staff at the Branch Medical Clinic experienced over the summer, the program was temporarily halted.
"After last summer, the clinic just did not have enough people to accommodate the program," said Brandy Fuesting, Iwakuni Red Cross representative. "Now that they are re-staffed, we are starting the program back up."
The program is designed to help people receive work experience and job training in the dental field, according to Fuesting.
"It is a great program and it can help the participants be able to get a job when they get back to the states," said Fuesting. "You receive 500 hours of job training, and at the end of the program, participants receive a certificate."
The program is strictly volunteer, and the participants work directly with the dental clinic staff.
"We are really looking forward to working with the volunteers and being able to teach them as much as possible," said Cmdr. Jose Quasada, dental clinic director. "The program was very successful in the past and hopefully it will be just as successful this time around."
With dental clinics in need of dental assistance, 500 hours of on the job training can prove to be beneficial in receiving a job, noted Fuesting.
"We want as many people as possible to benefit from this program," said Fuesting. "It is a great program for people who are interested in starting their own career."
For more information about the dental assistant program, contact Fuesting at the Red Cross Office at 253-4525.