Great word of mouth for popular dental program

National City is home of a dental hygiene program that has put smiles on thousands of faces – students as well as patients.

The Southwestern College Dental Hygiene Clinic at the National City Higher Education Center is a teaching clinic that serves the community. Students interested in the program may apply once they have finished core science classes. Classes are divided into two groups, a senior group and a junior group with 36 students per class.

“I personally had to wait about a year and a half,” said Candace McKee, a dental hygiene major. “Some people waited longer, two to three years.”

Patients can go there to learn about good dental health and nutritional counseling. Services include X-rays, blood pressure, oral cancer screenings and cleanings. McKee said the clinic is one of the nest deals in town.

“An exam, a cleaning, the X-rays, all of that is free which is good because if you don’t have dental insurance it’s a lot of money,” she said. “ It could cost $200 for cleaning, deep cleaning it could cost $1,000 or more.”

McKee said almost everyone is eligible.

New patients require an assessment appointment to determine eligibility. Prospective patients must call the clinic, leave a message and wait for a return call to make an appointment.

A goal of the program is to create empathy with patients and develop communications skills. Practical experience recreates a professional environment, said McKee.

“This program has helped me a lot to deal with stressful situations,” she said. “You always have to be at the top of the game because it is intense and it is demanding.”

Program director Vickie Kimbrough-Walls said she wants SWC’s students to take advantage of this program.

Dental hygiene major Brenda Morales, 31, said classes require a lot of time. Students work at the clinic practicing approximately four hours at a time, three days a week. This two-year program earns students an associate degree in dental hygiene. Professionals supervise students all the time.

Located on the second floor of the National City campus, the clinic is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. For questions and appointments call (619) 216-6663.