MESA, Arizona – Jan 22, 2021 -- Mesa Community College Dental Hygiene students seek individuals for complimentary oral health screenings on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, 5855 E. Still Circle in Mesa. Appointments are available at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and may be made by calling 480-248-8195.
Ideal screening candidates are individuals who have not received dental health care for three years or longer or who have been diagnosed with dental health issues. Screenings are not comprehensive exams and treatment will not be provided during the event. Although the screening is complimentary, those selected as patients for the program will be charged for the customized oral health care services provided.
Screening participants must agree to have a full set of x-rays taken. Copies of x-rays may be purchased for $20 and picked up the following week during hygiene clinic hours: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.
“Dental hygiene students only progress in their education through the participation of community members through events such as this. The students’ clinical requirements state that care must be provided for individuals who have been diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease and never had it treated, have been told they need a deep-scale cleaning, or have other dental hygiene issues such as puffy and bleeding gums,” said Debi Sparks, director of the MCC Dental Hygiene Program.
Some participants will be invited to participate as patients in the MCC Dental Hygiene program receiving personalized fee-for-service care provided by MCC Dental Hygiene students. Students provide quality care using the latest technology in comfortable surroundings at fees less than most private dental practices. All patient care is provided under the supervision of licensed dental hygienists and supervising dentists.
The Mesa Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic provides a full range of dental hygiene services offered during convenient evening hours at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health Clinic. To schedule an appointment outside of this screening event, please contact the clinic at 480-248-8195.
Additional information about the MCC Dental Hygiene Program and the dental clinic is available online at mesacc.edu/dental.
# # #
Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu or 480-461-7892
The MCC Dental Hygiene Program offers a rigorous and intensive science orientated program and is accredited by the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). Dental hygienists traditionally provide preventive and therapeutic oral health care to patients in a dentist- supervised work setting. Career opportunities are available in private dental offices and clinics, nursing homes, schools, post-secondary institutions, public health, research, and in private business. Students successfully completing the Dental Hygiene program at MCC will prepare individuals for the necessary licensure requirements and are eligible to take the written and clinical exams necessary to obtain licensure in any state in the US. MCC offers a Dental Hygiene clinic open to the public at the A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health's "state-of-the-art" facility in Mesa. A full range of comprehensive dental hygiene services are available at fees less than most private dental practices. The Dental Hygiene clinic sees patients from late August through mid-May of each year. All patient clinical work is supervised by professional dental hygienists and supervising dentists. For more information, visit https://www.mesacc.edu/programs/dental-hygiene.
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses, additional locations and a combination of online formats. Through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, MCC is transforming how it champions student success, college completion, university transfer and career attainment and advancement. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution and nearly 50% of its students are the first in their families to attend college. Its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized tribes of Arizona as well as out-of-state tribes. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges. The diverse student body includes more than 300 international students from 55 countries. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to successfully transfer to a university or compete in the workforce. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.eduto learn more.
MCC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.