STCC Dental Hygiene clinic makes adjustments during COVID-19
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Dental Hygiene clinic at Springfield Technical Community College continues to offer affordable cleanings and examinations, but has made adjustments to ensure safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The clinic on the campus of STCC this fall is open to patients Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
STCC will offer four more clinics than usual during the fall semester to allow for social distancing, said Meg Loadholt, a Dental Hygiene associate professor. The college also reduced the maximum number of people allowed in the clinics. There will be fewer students, patients and faculty during each session.
Dental hygiene students, under the direction of licensed dental hygienists and dentists, provide all the treatment as part of their training.
Patients who enter the main lobby of Building 20, where the Dental Hygiene program is housed, must stop at a checkpoint to get their temperature taken and complete documents providing details about their visit to campus, among other protocols.
If screeners determine there is no risk in allowing them into the building, patients can proceed to the clinic using the main stairway. Patients can use the elevator, but only one person at a time will be allowed.
“To prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and any other pathogenic organisms, the Dental Hygiene clinic will continue its high degree of sterilization and disinfection practices,” Loadholt said. “Specific to COVID-19, both faculty, staff, and students will wear level 3 surgical masks with face shields.”
Some procedures that pose a risk of spreading the novel coronavirus have been suspended. For example, students will not use ultrasonic scalers, which emit a fine mist, or aerosol. In addition, students will not polish patients’ teeth because the process creates a great deal of splatter.
The Dental Hygiene clinic is accepting new and returning patients.
“Many of our patients had their treatment interrupted and left incomplete during the month of March when the campus closed,” Loadholt said. “For those individuals, our front desk staff is attempting to contact them to determine if they'd like to schedule an appointment to continue their treatment. Since they have already paid the fee, they will not be required to pay again.”
To make an appointment, call (413) 755-4900. For more information about rates and services offered, visit stcc.edu/info/dental-care.
About Springfield Technical Community College
Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, liberal arts, and STEM fields continue to provide the most affordable options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of about 7,000 day, evening, weekend, and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.
For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@S_T_C_C) and Instagram (@stccpics).
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu