RWC’s Dental Hygiene Program started building smiles 34 years ago. Today there are nearly 80 students in the program, who receive their clinical experience in a new state-of-the-art-clinic. A new Dental Hygiene Clinic was constructed in the Science and Allied Health building three years ago. The new, sun-filled space has expanded to 34 chairs. Those extras chairs are needed, considering that each student sees between 50 and 70 clients every year in order to fill program requirements.
“They sometimes recruit their own family and friends. And of course people from the community often make appointments,” says Darice Carroll, RDH, Dental Hygiene Department Chair. The students routinely do dental cleanings, x-rays, fluoride treatments and client education.
“Unfortunately we can’t provide dentures, extractions or fillings, but the services we do offer are at a reduced fee,” Carroll says.
Students in the program offer dental cleanings for $10 and just $2 for senior citizens. Sealants are just $3 per tooth. Dental radiographs range from $7 for bitewings to $10 for a full-month series or a pantograph. There is no charge for fluoride treatments or patient education, and the clinic does offer referrals for restorative work.
“We are always looking for the tougher cases, though,” Carroll adds, “people who haven’t had a dental cleaning in years, heavy smokers, or coffee/tea drinkers.”
All client care is provided under the supervision of a licensed dentist and registered dental hygienists. Appointments usually last between two and four hours, due to the educational setting, and can also require multiple return appointments of this same length of time. Students leave the program prepared for work in a variety of practice settings.
“We have 100 percent placement rate for our graduates. We’re thrilled that for thirty-four years our students have been helping people in the community with their smiles,” says Carroll.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the clinic at (513) 745-5630. Raymond Walters College is located at 9555 Plainfield Road in Blue Ash and is on the #4 Metro bus route. See the program’s web site for additional information at www.rwc.uc.edu/dentalhygiene/.