Senior students present community oral health project
Congratulations to the 24 seniors of Clark College’s Dental Hygiene program, who presented their community oral health group projects via Zoom on June 5.
Over the course of eight months, students worked with various community groups to create and implement oral health projects for an identified need in that group. They assisted oral health patients at Kamlu Retirement Inn, Washington State School for the Blind, Clark College Child & Family Studies, SeaMar Community Health Centers Women’s Clinic, and Truewood Senior Living. The presentations via Zoom presented the group they worked with, the project they created and implemented, and what they learned.
Students get ample hands-on experience in the Firstenburg Dental Hygiene Education and Care Center on the college’s main campus. Under the direct supervision of licensed dental hygienists and dentists, students provide affordable dental care for more than 2,000 patients from the community annually.
“This year’s senior class has worked diligently to gain all the skills needed to work in our community to improve oral and overall health,” said Kristi Taylor, Dental Hygiene department chair and program director. “I am proud of each of them for their perseverance and dedication to learning the profession and providing compassionate care to our community.”
Professor Taylor added that the job placement rate for Clark’s Dental Hygiene graduates is 100%. Many of the graduating seniors already have been offered a position or have accepted a position.
Student Projects:
Group 1: Stephanie D., Aria B., Valentyna S., Ilona S., Arnoldo P.
Project: Community Oral Health Project with Older Adults (age 60+)
Description: Provide oral and systemic health education for residents (age 60+) at Kamlu Retirement Inn
Group 2: Lauren D., Rebecca H., Andrea A., Jennifer G., and Stephanie B.
Project: Community Oral Health Project with Visually Impaired Adolescents
Description: Provide oral health education and nutrition information for visually impaired adolescents at the Washington State School for the Blind
Group 3: Nicole F., Mackenzie C., Ceaira J., Savannah G., Mallary V.
Project: Community Oral Health Project with Children Ages 2-6
Description: Provide oral health and nutrition education for children ages 2-6 at Clark College Child & Family Studies
Group 4: Arghawan P., Sophia A., Caroline W., Ellie C., Brittany J.
Project: Community Oral Health Project with Pregnant Women
Description: Provide oral health and nutrition education for pregnant women at SeaMar Community Health Centers Women’s Clinic
Group 5: Alvina S., Arielle R., Chime L., Hyemi P.
Project: Community Oral Health Project with Older Adults
Description: Provide oral and systemic health education for residents at Truewood Senior Living community
About Clark College’s Dental Hygiene program
- Competitive 7-term program, with 61-64 units required prior to entry; total of 184-unit program
- Bachelor of Applied Science Dental Hygiene · Learn more about the program
- Learn about affordable dental care in the college’s Firstenburg Dental Hygiene Education and Care Center
