Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Associate Vice President, Marketing Communications, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

8/18/09
Story by Peggy Graham

Open wide: JCCC dental hygiene program dedicates new clinic

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The dental hygiene program at Johnson County Community College will dedicate its new 6,293-square-foot dental hygiene clinic from
2-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in room 201 of the Science Building.

The expanded dental hygiene clinic allows for an increased enrollment of students from 26 to 30 starting fall semester, room for more patient chairs and equipment, greater space for charts and student computer work, new locker rooms and an ADA-compliant darkroom. The new site increases the clinic size by 3,341 square feet.

The cutting-edge operatory area has 16 chairs, with every two sharing an X-ray machine. There were previously three X-ray machines; there are now 12. The  centrally located dispensary and sterilization room are accessible from two sides.

A much larger dedicated records room provides space for students to make patient appointments, complete paper work and use computers to research information like patients’ medications.

JCCC has always kept up with dental hygiene technology, even before its new location. Students use digital x-rays, ultrasonic scalers, panoramic full-mouth x-rays, and an intra-oral camera/video that can be projected on a computer screen. Digital recordings can be printed and placed in the patients’ charts or e-mailed to a dentist or dental school for further consultation. The clinic will maintain a darkroom for training on film X-rays, still in use by some dentists’ offices.

While the new clinic is equipped with the latest technology, Margaret LoGiudice, assistant dean, dental hygiene, says it is students’ education in treatment  protocol that puts them at the front of the line for employment.

“Our students are experienced and confident in evidence-based treatment protocol because of the education they receive here,” LoGiudice said.

JCCC’s dental hygiene program has a distinguished history of education dating to 1972, service to the community at its JCCC clinic and outreach sites, and 100 percent employment.

For more information about JCCC’s dental hygiene clinic, call 913-469-3808.

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