Dental Hygiene Clinic announces community appointments

The Lakeland Community College Dental Hygiene program is now accepting appointments from members of the public for dental hygiene services, including dental cleanings.

Services take place in the clinic located on the ground floor of the school’s health technologies building (H-Building) at the campus in Kirtland.

Additional services include an oral exam, prophylaxis (cleaning), any necessary X-rays and a fluoride treatment.

Lakeland dental hygiene students perform the services, under the supervision of licensed

dentists and dental hygiene faculty, as part of their requirements for graduation.

The clinic will be open from Aug. 30 through Dec. 2.

Sessions are Mondays and Wednesdays at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m.

As the clinic is a teaching facility, each appointment lasts about 3 to 4 hours, officials noted. More than one appointment may be needed to complete treatment.

A brief 20- to 30-minute screening appointment is required prior to first appointments for patients new to the clinic.

Fees for services cover materials — for patients ages 17 and younger and senior citizens 60-plus, the cost is $20; for ages 18 to 59, the cost is $25; for current Lakeland students, the cost is $20.

Debit/credit card payments are accepted or patients have the option to pay online.

According to Program Director Jennifer Barr, many measures are in place to ensure patient safety, as all students and faculty follow strict written novel coronavirus protocols.

Patients are provided with COVID-19 protocols via email prior to their appointment.

These include recording the temperatures of every student, faculty member and patient.

A COVID-19 screening questionnaire is to be completed by all patients before entering the H-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 SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, officials confirmed.

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.

To make an appointment, call 440-525-7220.