Learn4Life and Kingsburg Dental School partner to help students become certified dental assistants

KINGSBURG, Calif. (KFSN) -- A hands-on learning program based in Kingsburg is giving students a chance to begin a career in healthcare.

Twice a week, 18-year-old Angelica Lopez puts on her protective gear to take care of her patients.

She's not certified just yet, but she's working on it through Learn4Life's partnership with Kingsburg Dental School.

Learn4Life is a network of nonprofit charter schools focused on personalized learning.

Gagendeep Gill is the Area Superintendent.

She says this program is in line with Learn4Life's mission to prepare students for their next steps.

"Our goal is to by the time the students leave, to either -- the three E'S -- to enlist, employability, or going beyond their education," Gill said.

Learn4Life students who are at least 18 are able to enroll in the six-week program and get hands-on experience in a real office, under Dentist Dr. Savera Mann.

"It gives them a stepping stone and taking them from a typical classroom setting into real life, how it would be once they start finding a job," Mann said.

Dr. Mann says since the pandemic, dental assistants have been in high demand.

During the six-week program, students earn all necessary certifications, including basic principles of dental assisting, infection control and their x-ray license.

They're encouraged to begin applying for jobs throughout their training so a job is waiting for them as soon as they are done.

Lopez says in just the first four weeks, she's become more accountable and has improved her communication skills.

She had never considered a career in the dental field, but now says once she completes the program, she wants to take the next step and become a registered dental assistant.

She recommends other students also take part.

"This is just a great opportunity to just not necessarily if you want to stay in this field, but a good opportunity to try it out and be able to learn hands on and learn new things -- not just dental -- but life lessons as well," Lopez said.

There are about 15 students per cohort.

At the end of this school year, about 100 Learn4Life students will have completed the program.

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