Westwood College South Bay Launches Dental Assisting Program

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Westwood College South Bay launched a new Dental Assisting program with an open house on Aug. 27. State Assemblyman David Hadley, R-Torrance, provided the keynote address, and the event included free dental screenings for the public and tours of the new dental lab and campus.

"Increased awareness of the link between oral health and general health has led to significant growth in demand for qualified dental assistants," said Chris Turen, Campus President of Westwood College South Bay. "We are excited to be able to offer this program, especially in this growing community."

Representatives from numerous area businesses and dental clinics attended the event including We Care Dental in Linwood, Harbor City/Harbor Gateway Chamber of Commerce and Simplicity Bank.

"One of the challenges we face in California is a mismatch between the skills that employers are looking for and the skills young people have," said David Hadley, State Assemblyman. "That is why it is important for an established school like Westwood College to launch a program like this, which prepares students for a good career with solid earning potential."

Hadley and Turen were joined by more than 60 attendees, including local employers, faculty, potential students and dentists, who heard how students will be trained, not only in the specific skills needed to become effective dental assistants, but also will learn the soft skills needed to contribute to operating a dental practice. Guests also experienced Westwood's new lab that simulates a modern, comprehensive dental office, including complete dental office stations, a sterilization station, a fully-equipped casting lab for dental impressions, and a Panorex radiology station where students will learn to work with both digital and film X-ray technology.

About Westwood College

Westwood College is a private, for-profit college founded in 1953 in Denver, Colorado, with 14 campuses in five states. Westwood's mission is to prepare undergraduate and graduate students with the knowledge, skills and training needed for meaningful employment. Through education, Westwood creates opportunities, changes lives and impacts futures. The college offers degree programs in the areas of business, design, justice, healthcare and technology. Westwood, which is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, has graduated more than 39,000 students. For more information, visit westwood.edu, like Westwood on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

Media Contact:
Lindsay Barnett
Westwood College
[email protected] 
303-846-1761

SOURCE Westwood College