TCC Dental Clinic Gets Donation
FUNDS FOR REMODEL: From left are Vice President of External Affairs Lauren Brookey, Tulsa Community College Foundation Chair Jim Cameron and President of Founders of Doctors’ Hospital Foundation Barbara West with a check for $232,882, which will be used to upgrade the TCC Dental Program
Tulsa Community College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic is getting a high-tech remodel thanks to a $232,882 donation from Founders of Doctors’ Hospital. The donation will help purchase 12 complete dental operatories, which include dental chairs to accommodate a variety of patients, cabinets to store supplies and supportive equipment to provide patients a safe and comfortable dental visit.
The Dental Hygiene Clinic serves as a learning laboratory for dental hygiene students under the direct supervision of a dentist and licensed dental hygienists. students and clinic staff provide dental care clinical services for uninsured and underinsured children and adults in the Tulsa region.
The clinic, located at TCC’s Metro Campus, has served a total of 1,817 patients and treated more than 100 new patients between Aug. 2009 and April 2010. The value of the dental hygiene clinic services provided to the community during the fall 2009 and spring 2010 semesters totaled more than $224,267.
“Fewer Oklahoma adults have visited a dentist in the past year than those in any other state, according to the United Health Foundation’s latest report,” says Midge Elliott, dean of health sciences at . “The need for oral health care in our area is enormous, and for as low as $5 for some services, our students are making a big difference in the lives of needy individuals.”
has graduated 234 dental hygienists to date. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, dental hygienists are expected to be one of the fastest growing careers throughout 2014, which will make job prospects excellent.
According to the 2005 Occupational Outlook Handbook, demand for dental hygienists is expected to increase over 27 percent by the year 2014, as a growing and aging population indicates the need for more dental procedures.
Updated 12-10-2010
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