The Dental Hygiene Clinic at the Higher Education Center at National City serves as an educational facility to support the clinical learning needs of the students enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Program. Under the supervision of licensed dentists (DDS/DMD) and registered dental hygienists (RDH), the dental hygiene students provide oral health care education and dental hygiene services to the general public along with the Southwestern College community, including students, faculty, and staff.
The Dental Hygiene Clinic is a teaching facility, therefore, care/treatment is offered only to individuals that meet the appropriate patient criteria for student learning; not all patients will qualify to receive dental hygiene services:
Patients must:
- Be free of medical or dental conditions that would make treatment hazardous to patient or operator.
- Have oral and behavioral conditions that are considered acceptable for student learning.
- Have interest in learning preventive oral hygiene techniques.
- Cooperate in keeping clinic appointments on time.
The clinic supervisor reserves the right to refuse or discontinue treatment when indicated.
The following services may be provided by dental hygiene students under supervision in the Dental Hygiene Clinic:
- Dental Cleaning
- Dental X-rays
- Fluoride Treatments
- Sealants (children 6-18 years of age)
- Interim Therapeutic Restoration (ITR)
- Tabacco Cessation Education
The Southwestern College Dental Hygiene Clinic does not provide a comprehensive dental examination for patients nor does it provide restorative dentistry (fillings/crowns), oral surgery (extractions), periodontal surgery or orthodontics (braces). It is highly recommended that all patients arrange an appointment with a dentist of their choice for a comprehensive examination, diagnosis, and treatment as indicated.