Getting dental care is not at the top of people’s lists when they have a tight budget. But a partnership between the Prince George Emergency Dental Outreach Clinic and the College of New Caledonia (CNC) wants to change that. The Outreach Clinic provides dental care at their Price George Native Friendship Centre a few times a year for those with limited finances. But a few times a year is not enough. Dr. Richard Wilczek, founding director of the Outreach Clinic, hopes to increase this to year-round services in the future. Moreover, dental care students from the CNC are getting real-life experience from this unique opportunity.
Dental Care Help from CNC Students
CNC students are getting a head start on their careers with this new partnership. Dental assisting students are getting first-hand assisting practice. Likewise, through this, dental hygiene students can meet some of their course requirements.
Dr. Wilczek is excited at this opportunity for the students. “I hope this partnership continues and grows to provide both a valuable learning experience for CNC dental students and increased access to dental care for people who’ve experienced challenges accessing it.”
Dental Hygienist Program
At the College of New Caledonia, the dental hygienist program prepares students for a sought-after career. Moreover, they learn how to do a patient assessment and plan for patient care. Additionally, they’ll also learn how to conduct head and neck examinations as well as how to administer local anesthesia. There are a few slots available for international students in Canada so they should apply early to secure a spot.
Dental Assisting Program
For the dental assisting program, students learn how they are an integral part of a patient’s dental care. So they are taught how to work alongside a dentist. But they are also responsible for preparing dental instruments and materials, managing dental records, and providing patient education. This is also a very sought-after program and international students have a limited number of slots.
With students from both programs, the Outreach Clinic can accommodate more patients. Furthermore, to support the students, the Clinic donated $10,000 to the dental studies program. Additionally, this will support the costs associated with Collaborative Care Clinics.
“CNC’s dental studies students are training to become health professionals,” said CNC Interim Associate Dean of Health Sciences Wendy Male. “Part of becoming a health professional is understanding the responsibility we have to help those most in need in our community.”
Read original on College of New Caledonia News
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