Department Spotlight | Dental Hygiene Clinic
The Amarillo College Dental Hygiene clinic is an essential piece of the Dental Hygiene Program. It allows students to practice what they are learning in a “real-world” setting. The students are able to apply their skills and gain hands-on experience under the observation and guidance of our staff of licensed dental hygienists. The dental hygiene clinic also gives the student the opportunity to develop soft skills including patient communication, managing conflict, and developing the clinician/ patient relationship. Their interaction with patients begins with scheduling the patients for their appointments and continues as they take detailed medical and dental histories, educate the patients on the oral-systemic link, and provide instructions for how to best maintain good oral health. These skills are invaluable in preparing the student for their careers in dental hygiene.
The clinic also allows the students to familiarize themselves with the latest equipment available in the industry. Students learn how to use sterilization equipment like autoclaves, ultrasonic disinfection units, and Meile thermo washer-disinfectors while serving on their sterilization rotation. Students in patient care have access to various equipment, including nu-bird, and iso-dry for intraoral suction. The air-handy and prophy jet are available for students to practice air polishing. Students learn ultrasonic scaling using the cavitron and piezo. And we have recently added an Air Flow Prophylaxis Master to incorporate guided biofilm therapy into our treatment options.
The Amarillo College Dental hygiene clinic is open to the public and provides preventative services such as x-ray, dental exams, dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, tobacco cessation counseling, and nutrition counseling. Patients interested in being seen must first set up a screening appointment. This appointment usually takes an hour to an hour and a half. The cost of the screening appointment is $35. At this screening, diagnostic x-rays are taken, an exam is completed by the dentist on staff, and the student will determine what kind of cleaning will be necessary. Cleaning appointments usually last 2 1/2 to 3 hours to allow for student instruction and observation. If it is determined that scaling and root planning (or deep cleaning) is necessary for the patient, up to 5 additional appointments are required and an additional $35 will be due. This second fee will cover the appointments needed to clean 4 quadrants and a follow-up periodontal maintenance appointment. These fees are waived for Amarillo College students and employees with valid AC IDs.
Providing this service to the community through the Dental Hygiene Clinic is an excellent path to becoming a Dental Hygienist. It is gratifying to the students not only because of the educational experience it provides but because of its positive impact on people in the community who are often underserved.
For more information:
Call 806-354-6050 or text 806-310-5211
Or visit https://www.actx.edu/dental_hy/ac-dental-hygiene-clinic
Blog written by Rachel Rubalcaba, RDH, LMT, Dental Clinic Office Supervisor
