Dental Hygiene Program Offering Clinical Services During Fall Semester
Cleanings, blood pressure screenings among several available services
Article by Melinda Eddleman
Del Mar College’s (DMC) Dental Hygiene Program is offering some ways to help Coastal Bend residents smile a little brighter and keep their wallets a little less empty. The program is offering fall clinic hours and services at no charge from now until mid-December.
The Dental Hygiene Clinic offers a variety of services including medical history review, blood pressure screening, intra-oral examination, dental preliminary assessment, periodontal assessment, dental hygiene education, oral cancer screening, radiographs (x-rays), fluoride treatments (as needed), selective polishing, conservative periodontal therapy, dental hygiene therapy and dental sealants.
“The Dental Hygiene Clinic provides a win-win opportunity for Coastal Bend residents with available services that also provide our dental hygiene students with hands-on training,” says Eva Sepulveda, Director of the College’s Dental Programs. “ As a community service that’s offered at no cost, our students are preparing for the workforce as dental hygiene professionals while also meeting certain dental needs among patients who make use of the clinic.”
The clinic gives Dental Hygiene students the hands-on experience and required hours needed to complete the program, and students performing procedures are under the supervision of program faculty. Patients’ care usually requires more than one visit.
Patient selection is based on the educational and clinical requirements of Dental Hygiene students. DMC faculty will make the determination to accept patients after a “qualifying appointment.”
For full details about patient selection, appointments and other pertinent information, visit the clinic web page at www.delmar.edu/offices/dental-clinic/index.html.
The facility is located in Room 125 of Health Science Building 1 on Del Mar College’s Windward Campus at 4101 Old Brownsville Road (78405). Access directions and the online campus map. Operational hours are Mondays and Tuesdays 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. as well as Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon with appointments required.
Sepulveda notes, “For 51 years, Del Mar College’s Dental Programs Department has trained professionals who have staffed dentists’ offices and clinics all over our area. I’m confident that you can walk into any dental care office today and meet one of our graduates from the Dental Hygiene Program.”
To schedule a “qualifying appointment,” contact Amanda Canales, Patient Care Assistant, at 361-698-2854 or dentalclinic@delmar.edu.
Face coverings/masks are recommended in the clinical setting and patient lobby.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.