The Lakeland Community College Dental Hygiene program is now accepting appointments from members of the public for dental hygiene services, including cleanings.
Services take place at the college’s health building. As part of their requirements for graduation, students need to perform on patients in the dental hygiene clinic, located on the ground floor.
The dental hygiene service includes an oral exam, prophylaxis (cleaning), any necessary X-rays and a fluoride treatment.
Lakeland dental hygiene students (maximum 40) perform the services under the supervision of licensed dentists and dental hygiene faculty, completing three clinic sessions a week.
Second-year student Christine Bozick described the clinic as exceptional.
“It’s very appealing to not only patients, but students as well,” said the Chester Township resident. “It’s very nice to come in here. I love being in here and the program makes it easy to have patients try something new. Everything about the program has surpassed my expectations.
“I wanted to do something in the dental field when I was at West Geauga (High School), and this was close to home and convenient, so I signed up and was on the waiting list,” Bozick added. “When I was accepted early, I was super-excited. Now, I honestly can’t believe this is my last semester. It’s gone by so fast.”
According to program director Jennifer Barr, many measures are now in place to ensure patient safety, with all students and faculty following strict written novel coronavirus protocols.
“We even have extra procedures we’ve integrated with COVID-19, too, like a high-speed/volume evacuation system (Purevac), which is used in conjunction with our new saliva ejector system, (called) the Pink Petal,” Barr said. “Anytime there are any aerosol procedures done, we implement them. Rest assured, as a fully functioning clinic, we’ve gone above and beyond.”
In addition, patients are provided with COVID-19 protocols via email prior to their appointment, which include recording temperatures of every student, faculty member and patient.
A COVID-19 screening questionnaire is also completed by all patients before entering the health technologies building.
Masks must be worn at all times, except when treatment is rendered. All dental hygiene clinic surfaces are disinfected between patients with an EPA-registered disinfectant that is effective against the coronavirus.
Students and faculty utilize all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended personal protective equipment, including N95 masks, face shields, isolation gowns and hair coverings.
Jill Jones, dental hygiene clinic coordinator, noted that the students do “a great job,” especially amid the additional pressure the pandemic introduced.
“They, too, have really been impacted by COVID-19 as they lost eight weeks of clinic in the spring of 2020,” she said. “Then we closed early in the fall because Lake County went to Level Purple (4), so we’ve added extra sessions and that’s why they need patients so desperately – they need to meet their requirements.”
Clinic hours through April 29 are Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5:45 p.m.; and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
As the clinic is a teaching facility, each appointment lasts three to four hours and more than one appointment may be needed to complete treatment.
A 20-30 minute screening appointment is necessary prior to the first appointment for patients new to the clinic.
Fees for services cover materials. The fee for patients 60-plus or younger than 14 is $20. The fee for patients ages 15-59 is $25.
The clinic takes credit or debit, cash or check for payment, Barr said.
To make an appointment, call 440-525-7220.
