Del Mar College’s Dental Hygiene program is continuing free dental service from students through May and will start back up during the fall semester.
Some of the services included in treatment are blood pressure screenings, X-rays, free cleanings, as well as fluoride treatments and more. All treatments are monitored and approved by trained professionals as well as students.
Trey Alvarez, Assistant Professor of Dental Hygiene and clinic coordinator said this opportunity for the community and students is a huge deal.
“I always say it’s a win-win for the patient and the students. Some of these students come in with no knowledge, and the whole program is very intense. They walk out of this program knowing exactly what they need to know for after they graduate. The patients benefit as well; they walk out with services that are completely free.”
The program offers free clinic services, benefiting anyone who cannot afford dental care or lacks dental insurance.
Anissa Rodriguez, a student of Dental Hygiene at Del Mar college says this program is a very hands-on and helpful program. While students get the opportunity to complete graded tasks, the community is benefiting from it as well. This gives the students many opportunities to become experienced professionals for the future.
“The Dental Hygiene Program at Del Mar College is beyond my expectations,” said Rodriguez. “I can honestly say the instructors want you to succeed and are doing their best to prepare us for working in the real world.”
Those interested in receiving dental services through the program can schedule a consultation appointment at 361-698-2854. A potential patient’s health status is evaluated by a student and an instructor, and a clinic coordinator will then assign a student to a patient depending on the condition and evaluation.
Thomas Martinez, a former patient at the clinic said, “When I was a patient at the clinic, everyone was super nice, and it was a pretty easy process. I didn’t really have to do anything extra but show up to my appointments.”
The clinic and program are available through the end of May. The program resumes in September and lasts through mid-December. To make an appointment with the clinic coordinator call 361-698-2854.