The dental assisting program at Western Kentucky University (WKU) has been approved by the Tennessee Board of Dentistry, expanding employment opportunities for those interested in the dental field, according to the university.
Dental Assisting for Today is an 18-week, noncredit certificate course offered through a partnership between the WKU departments of continuing education and allied health. Individuals completing the course will now be prepared to work as chairside dental assistants or front office employees in both Kentucky and Tennessee.
Approval from the Tennessee Board of Dentistry is a significant benefit for individuals in Nashville and surrounding areas, according to course instructor Wendi Hulsey, R.D.H.
"Other than WKU, the closest short-term dental assistant program to the Nashville area is in Chattanooga," Hulsey said. "Because of its proximity to Nashville, our program will allow northern Tennessee students to receive quality, cost-effective dental assistant training closer to home."
The approval also is good for Kentucky students, Hulsey said. "Approval increases employment options for Kentucky residents who live near the state border and would like to expand their job search to Tennessee," she said.
WKU began offering the dental assisting certificate course in July 2010 and plans to offer the next course in winter 2011.
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