Plaza College in Queens, NY, has received initial accreditation for its degree program in dental hygiene from the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). This recognition is the result of a 2-year process of self-study, program review, and site evaluation, the school reports. Designed to address the increasing need for access to oral healthcare, Plaza College offers the only such program in Queens, and it’s the first new program in New York City in the past 27 years.
“There is a well-documented need for oral healthcare prevention and treatment for patients of all ages, particularly the diverse population in the borough of Queens,” said Laura Sleeper, RDH, DHSc, MA, dental hygiene program director. “Our program will not only train high-quality hygienists to fill the voids in the workforce, but it will also provide oral healthcare services through student hygienists in our community clinic.”
The Plaza College Community Dental Clinic will open in conjunction with the program. It will be open to the public, expanding the community’s access to dental care and allowing for the treatment experiences the students need to complete the program and obtain licensure. Students will screen patients to determine their oral health status and develop a treatment plan to provide quality care under the supervision of licensed dentists and hygienists.
“The participation of the community members is essential to the success of the students,” said Burton Wasserman, DDS, program consultant and former head of dental medicine for NY Presbyterian/Queens. “It’s a no brainer, a win-win for everyone involved.”
Applications are now being accepted for students to begin the program in September 2017. Interested candidates may contact the Admissions Department at (718) 505-4188.
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