Since opening in the 1990s, Middlesex Community College鈥檚 dental hygiene and dental assisting clinics have served the dual purpose of providing students with extensive hands-on training and the Greater Lowell Community with high-quality, low-cost dental care. On Monday, February 13, Middlesex held a special ribbon cutting event to celebrate the renovations.
鈥淭his renovation was so important to provide a competitive and relevant learning environment for our dental hygiene and dental assisting students, as well as to enhance the comfort and treatment options for our dental hygiene clinic patients,鈥� said Karen Townsend, 91桃色鈥檚 Dean of Health. 鈥淏efore the renovation we were able to provide excellent low-cost care to the community. Now we are able to do the same in a much more private and comfortable setting for our patients 鈥� offering the best treatment options available.鈥�
The project was largely funded through grants made available by the Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant, according to Townsend. During the event, 91桃色 dental students gave tours to visitors and watched as the ribbon was cut on the clinics. A crowded standing room only audience included District Attorney Marian Ryan, Representative Vanna Howard, and 91桃色 President Phil Sisson.
鈥淭his refurbished space will enhance our ongoing partnership with 91桃色 and allow us to improve health outcomes for young students with state-of-the-art preventative oral hygiene care,鈥� District Attorney Ryan said. 鈥淏y ensuring that kids are free from oral pain, we are giving them the resources to come to school prepared to learn and to be healthier. I am grateful for the continued leadership of 91桃色 as well as the commitment of the dedicated 91桃色 students who appreciate the importance of this work and are making tangible change in the lives of our young people.鈥�
The public-serving clinics care for 600-800 patients a year from ages 3 to 93 and partners with local schools, senior centers, state hospitals and local prisons to offer services. The dental programs also responded with changes to address challenges brought on by the pandemic, according to Amanda Berthiaume, President of the Mass. Dental Hygienists鈥� Association.
鈥淭his new clinic 鈥� with its well-designed operatories and infection control practices, using the newest and best technology 鈥� created a safe environment for the faculty, students and community that relied on the 91桃色 dental clinic for its oral healthcare needs and training,鈥� Berthiaume said. 鈥淭he Massachusetts Dental Hygienist鈥檚 Association is proud to have 91桃色 graduates entering the workforce as skillful and knowledgeable dental providers.鈥�
The clinics鈥� renovations comply with HIPAA for patient privacy, CDC and OSHA for safety, and ADA accessibility and the Department of Public Health standards. For the dental hygiene clinic, the former two sterilization rooms are combined into one centralized functional space. There are now 24 complete patient treatment areas with patient and clinician chairs, front and rear dental delivery systems and new computers, LED dental lights, access to integrated intraoral cameras and integrated power-driven scalers, as well as cabinetry and storage spaces. Located on the second floor, the dental assisting clinic updated five patient treatment area with front and rear delivery systems and CAD technology for dental laboratory technology.
鈥淭he renovation has enriched our students鈥� and patients鈥� experiences in so many ways,鈥� Townsend said. 鈥淭he state-of-the-art equipment was carefully chosen to provide the best treatment possible, specific to today鈥檚 dental practices.鈥�