Dec. 19, 2008
Q: American Red Cross (ARC) provides a dental assistant program. I and many others have taken an interest in this program. As an active volunteer in the ARC office I have learned that the program has been put on hold. Many volunteers have constantly called about the start date of the program and have felt deceived. They have been waiting for months and all we can do is give them the same answer. My manger has sent e-mails and tried to contact the U.S. Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka Commanding Officer for information but have not received a response. This has discouraged potential and present volunteers, to be involved in the American Red Cross program. Other bases such as Iwakuni offer the program and we would like to know if Yokosuka is going to offer it as well.

A: As Senior Station Manager for the American Red Cross, I have informed people that have contacted our office expressing an interest in the American Red Cross Dental Assistant Program that the program is currently on hold. The Red Cross Dental Assistant Program was placed on hold by USNH Dental Services over a year ago because the dental clinic was short of staff due to some of its dentists going on deployment and transferring. USNH Yokosuka Commanding Officer Capt. Moore and Director for Dental Services Capt. King have expressed a strong interest in getting the program started again. The American Red Cross and USNH Yokosuka are currently exploring the possibility of getting the program started again. We are now in negotiations. If all goes well the program may start again, sometime next year.