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By JOYANNA LOVE | Managing Editor

Adults looking for a new career choice have the option for training close to home with Jefferson State Community College’s Dental Assistant training program at the Chilton-Clanton campus.

Leah Bigbee, Center for Workforce Education director, said it had been a couple of years since the program was offered here.

“We are excited to be offering it again this year,” Bigbee said.

The program is being offered after employers had expressed a need for this type of training. Bugbee said the program is frequently requested at each of the JSCC campuses.

Registration is now open for the session that begins April 10. The class will meet on campus each Monday from 6-8:30 p.m. and each Wednesday at a local dental office for labs 6-8:30 p.m. The course ends June 28.

According to the course description, “This program will teach you the skills needed to work in a dental office as an entry-level dental assistant, receptionist, front office assistant or back office assistant … This class will include both theory and hands-on training that will allow students to become familiar with dental instruments and how to prepare them for the patients.”

A high school diploma or a GED and a government issued ID are required to take the course. Bigbee said students should also have “a heart for wanting to go into this field.”

“This is a high need field, and so it is a great opportunity,” Bigbee said.

Registration can be completed at jeffersonstate.edu/fasttrack. There are only 15 spots available for this session, but Bigbee said spots are still available.

“They can call our office and meet with a career coach to learn more about the program and what kind of training it entails or they can just sign up for it,” Bigbee said

The cost for the course is $1,199. However, scholarships are available at jeffersonstate.edu/ged-preparation-adult-education/career-pathways/.

Bigbee can be contacted with questions about the program at 205-856-7710 or by emailing workforcedev@jeffersonstate.edu.