Dental Hygiene Clinic Serves Campus and the Community

Dental hygiene students from Kalamazoo Valley are highly sought-after employees. When graduates of the program enter the workforce, they'll have already established career competency and performed various procedures on countless patients through the Dental Hygiene Clinic located on the Texas Township Campus. The clinic - which provides its services to the community at a discount - offers quality, affordable and personalized dental hygiene care.

While receiving services, clients are cared for by a team of experienced dentists, hygienists and students who are professionally equipped to attend to a variety of needs, such as cleanings, x-rays, bleaching, fluoride treatments and sealants.

The clinic also offers Orofacial Myology Therapy (OMT). According to Program Director Kimberly Grubka, the college has the only dental hygiene degree in the U.S. that includes OMT training embedded within its program.

OMT, Grubka explained, is therapy prescribed to an individual whose tongue is not working conjunctively with their lips, which if gone untreated, could cause issues with chewing and swallowing food. OMT is often practiced by dentists and speech pathologists; therefore, dental hygiene students at Kalamazoo Valley receive a well-rounded curriculum.

Long before caring for clients at the clinic, students undergo 20 weeks of rigorous competency-based training in the lab, where they practice procedures on mannequins as well as on each other. Students may work with patients once they have excelled in required competency levels and are always under the supervision and instruction of certified professionals.

Clinic appointments are comprehensive three-hour sessions which provide patients peace of mind and allow students plenty of hands-on training.

According to Grubka, this calculated attention has earned a devoted following of customers, many who have visited the clinic for years.

"What I think is great is that patients are seen by multiple people," said Grubka. "There's clinical dental hygienists and clinical dentists who are checking the students at different times, so it's a very thorough appointment. We have a lot of patients who love us."

Local dentists, such as Dr. Carrie Lintner of Lindenwoods Dental in Kalamazoo, often employ program graduates. As Lintner said, the college's program provides valuable employees.

"Kalamazoo Valley graduates are knowledgeable and have a high level of competency coming out of the program," Lintner said. "Most importantly, they care about listening to my patients. The patient relationships they build are one of the most valuable aspects of my practice."

The college's Dental Hygiene Clinic, which was built in 2000, hosts 14 operatory chairs and stations. Each station is equipped with cameras and microphones where students can record and review the quality of their work and personal interactions with clients. The facility also includes four x-ray operatories, a lab, sterilization area, model trimming room, classroom, patient waiting room and receptionist desk.

Kalamazoo Valley's accredited two-year dental hygiene program is designed to prepare students for taking the board, regional and certification exams which grant licensure as a dental hygienist in the state of Michigan. The program begins in the fall and accepts 24 trainees per year. Before applying, interested students must complete specific prerequisite courses to qualify. Applications are accepted once a year from April 1 - 15.

For more program information, contact Grubka at .

To schedule an appointment, call 269.488.4338. New patients over the age of 18 are required to come in for a free 30-minute screening appointment prior to receiving services.

Texas Township Dental Hygiene Clinic

FALL 2022 (SEPT. - DEC.)
Tues., Wed., Thurs. | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

WINTER 2023 (JAN. - APRIL)
Tues., Thurs. | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Wed. | 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.

SUMMER 2023 (MAY - JUNE)
Wed., Thurs. | 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

PROPHY: Approximate prophy costs includes an oral exam, cleaning (determined by level of difficulty), polish and fluoride.
Adult | 13 Years of Age or Older | $47
Child | 12 Years of Age or Younger | $35

OROFACIAL MYOLOGY SERVICES:
Assessment | $25
Supplies and Manual | $25
Therapy | $10 Per Visit