After being in the dental field as an assistant for 13 years, Michelle Ketola felt there was a need to come back to school to advance her career.
Ketola, a 34-year-old science major at Oxnard College, decided that when she needed to come back to school she would try and get into the Dental Hygienist Program at Oxnard College.
“I’ve always loved dentistry and this program has an amazing reputation,” Ketola said. “I’m one of the lucky ones who got picked out of the lottery.”
The program was founded in 1997, according to the Dental Hygiene Program Coordinator Christine Tafoya, when the dental assistant certificate of achievement program was implemented.
In 2007 the program expanded to include a dental hygiene associate degree program.
To apply for the assisting program, a student needs a high school diploma and a completed list of prerequisites available at www.oxnardcollege.edu, before being considered for the program.
Once the applications are taken students are then put into a lottery and the individuals selected are then admitted into the class.
For students at Oxnard College you have the possibility of getting dental services done for free.
“We really want students to take advantage of their ASG card because that gives them other benefits along with a free visit,” Tafoya said.
Tafoya says the programs are tough, but if a student commits they will get a great amount from the program.
“It’s difficult to get in, and it’s difficult to get through,” Tafoya said. “But the rewards are definitely worth it.”
The rewards she is talking about is $12 to $20 per hour as a dental assistant straight out of the program, or $60 to 90 thousand for a dental hygienist.
“Overall there is a high demand for the dental field,” Tafoya said. “There has been a slow down because of the economy, but they are still needed.”
For Ketola, the fact that jobs in the dental field are still in high demand, and that she had the chance to go through the program at Oxnard College are looking good for her.
“This program defines you and makes you stronger, and more strongly willed,” Ketola said. “I know when I leave here I could do whatever I want in life, it’s a great program; hands down to the instructors, all of them.”
