The three year certification program requires the worker to meet strict standards and complete 6,000 hours of lab work.

"I take pride in my work. I like to know that once the patient has their appliance, they can eat. They can smile," said Pamela Poynter, one of the prisoners who has obtained her apprenticeship certification. "I don’t plan to be here always. The skills I get today will open up other avenues for me when I’m released. Before I wasn’t qualified to earn the kind of money I could now."