SLCC’s Dental Hygiene Receives Grant from Intermountain to Provide No-Cost Dental Cleanings

SLCC Dental Hygiene students cleaning a patient's teeth

SLCC Dental Hygiene Clinic

With a generous grant from Intermountain, SLCC's Dental Hygiene students can now provide dental cleaning and x-rays to patients at no cost while gaining practical experience. This benefits the students by removing the stress of justifying the value of dental cleaning to their patients and providing the community with dental services without charge.

The grant provides the students with an opportunity to serve the community better. “Our Dental Hygiene students have been known for fronting the charges for their patients, but now they are only focusing on providing the best quality care for them," says Associate Dean for the Division of Allied Health Dr. Angela Belnap.

Every year, the program welcomes 24 new students who undergo a rigorous program. Dental hygiene students can be found outside the classroom doing clinical rotations or volunteering at health clinics, educating the community on the importance of oral health and screening for potential patients at the SLCC Dental Clinic.

Renee Mendenhall, a professor in the Dental Hygiene program, highlights the importance of having patients for the students to learn from, emphasizing that the community benefits when people seek dental care at the clinic. The students work under the guidance of experienced dentists to ensure the best possible care for every patient.

There is limited availability at the Dental Hygiene clinic, and a typical dental cleaning may take more than an hour to complete, as students are learning as they go. Those interested are invited to check out the clinic website and inquire for additional information.

Furthermore, the program has a strong record of success, boasting a 96% graduation rate and a 99% pass rate in the certification exam. The program's excellent reputation has led dental offices to seek out SLCC's Dental Hygiene graduates. Thanks to the grant, students can now focus on mastering their skills without being burdened by the cost of services, ultimately easing their path to success in this high-demand career field.

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