Western Dakota Tech held its 23rd annual graduation ceremony for students of the Dental Assistant Training Program on May 13. The program is customized for the Black Hills District Dental Society and helps fulfill the need for dental assistants in the Black Hills area. Twelve students graduated from the program this year, and 288 have graduated from the program since it began.
The 2014 graduates include:
• Jill Albers
• Stephanie Baier
• Alicia Contreras
• Haylee Crossman
• Brittnay Entsminger
• Whittney Hathorn
• Nancy Hayes
• Diana Ratliff
• Sarah Reichert
• Linda Rentería
• Amber Vickerman
Students in the program are sponsored by local dentists. Sponsors include BH Pediatric Dentistry, Community Health Oral Clinic, Robert Crosswait, Denture Clinic, Destination Dentistry, Fibonacci Dental, Jackson Dental, Ray Dental Group and Wilson Park Dental.
Dr. Kate Haave was the commencement speaker. Haave received her degree from the University of Nebraska in 2008 and has her own practice, Wilson Park Dental, in Rapid City. She has students in the graduating class this year.
Instructor Walter Raby has been a Diagnostic X-Ray Technician for more than 10 years and teaches Dental Assistant Radiology Courses in addition to teaching in the Dental Assistant Training Program. He currently works at Destination Dentistry in Custer, SD.
Western Dakota Tech is the only technical institute that serves the western South Dakota region. WDT offers more than 30 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction Trades, Health Services, Legal and Public Services, Manufacturing and Mechanical Trades, and Science and Technology. More than 97 percent of WDT's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or serving in the military, and 85 percent remain in South Dakota.
WDT faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, WDT students graduate ready to make real and immediate contributions to their employers and their communities.
Learn more at www.wdt.edu or by contacting WDT at (800) 544-8765, (605) 718-2565 or admissions@wdt.edu.
