Durham College community members looking to brighten their smiles for 2012 are invited to take advantage of the college’s Dental Clinic this January, which provides quality dental care in a professional, caring and safe environment.

A teaching/learning environment for students enrolled in the college’s dental programs, the clinic provides clients of all ages – both adults and children – with an opportunity to receive dental hygiene care by students under the supervision of registered dental hygiene faculty members and/or a licensed dentist.

For a one-time fee of $30 for adults and $10 for children between the ages of 5 and to 13, clients can receive services including blood pressure screenings, X-rays, adult and child dental cleanings, periodontal scaling and root planing, oral cancer screenings, pit and fissure sealants, preventive oral health education, dental nutritional counselling, topical fluoride treatments and an examination by a dentist.

Most appointments take about two and half hours to complete and in some cases multiple appointments may be required for adults.

The college’s two-year Dental Hygiene and one-year Dental Assistant programs offer students access to academic studies, clinical experience and a field placement. Dental Hygiene prepares them to practise dependently, interdependently and collaboratively with health-care professionals in a variety of practice settings with Dental Assisting preparing students to work effectively in a variety of dental-related roles including Level I and Level 2 dental assistant.

Both programs are accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada with the Dental Assisting program receiving accreditation in 2010. At the time of accreditation Susan Sproul, dean, School of Health & Community Services, said “This recognition is due to the commitment of our dental faculty and support staff to provide the highest quality programs. This status provides our students with the benefit of provincial and national recognition, allowing for ease of portability across the country.”

The clinic will reopen for business in January with Monday to Friday services as well as evening clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To book an appointment, please call 905.721.3074 and leave a message.