Ten years ago Dr. Eleanora Woods set out to create a dental assistant program that moved women from welfare to the workplace, and she will continue that tradition with the next round of dental assisting classes at the E.W. Professional Career Training Center this May.
“The original purpose [of the program] was to give young ladies an opportunity to excel in a dental assisting program that may have had challenges that did not allow them to go to a traditional school,” said Woods, a resident of Ooltewah.
Donnetta Walker, Dr. Elenora Woods and Flora Wilhelm, from left, say Woods’ dental assistant program is perfect for single moms and other young women looking for a way to transition into a productive career.The board-accredited, three-month dental assisting course is offered once a year and sponsored by the Chattanooga Area Dental Society. Classes begin May 16 and meet Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m.
There is no tuition for the program, Woods said. The $2,500 cost of the program goes toward the students’ uniforms, books, training supplies, a graduation ceremony and any other materials used in the program.
Woods said a person who is not financially able to pay the fees for the course can find a sponsor to pay the fees as a donation to the Dental Angel Fund Foundation, and their donation will be used in lieu of the payment for fees.