Free Dental Hygiene Clinic Set to Open at Briarcliffe College

A free dental hygiene clinic at Patchogue's Briarcliffe College is opening soon. 

Local officials, including County Legis. Rob Calarco and Patchogue Village Mayor Paul Pontieri, were on hand at Briarcliffe last Friday for a ceremonial ribbon cutting event at the campus to inaugurate the opening of the clinic.

“Briarcliffe students will not only utilize their classroom and clinical skills and knowledge but will help build a new foundation for affordable and accessible dental hygiene care,” said Dr. George Santiago, president and CEO of Briarcliffe College in a press release. “Students will meet this critical health need with the highest level of dedication and care in order to make a difference in the Long Island community.”

The Briarcliffe College Dental Hygiene Clinic will offer dental hygiene services to Long Island residents while providing learning opportunities for Briarcliffe students. The clinic will officially open to the public in February for pre-screening and radiology appointments and on March 11, 2013, will open its doors for all comprehensive dental hygiene services.

The clinic will be open for walk-ins or by appointment between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. The clinic will provide a variety of services, including dental and medical histories; vital signs; radiographs; oral cancer screening; periodontal (gum) treatments; fluoride applications; dental sealants; coronal polishing and other preventative services. Dental hygiene students, under the supervision of dental hygiene program faculty members will be providing all services.

Anyone interested in an appointment should contact Arlene Guagliano, department chair, dental hygiene at 631-730-2075 to learn more about the clinic and learn how to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be welcome but appointments are requested. The dental hygiene program is one of only two dental hygiene programs available on Long Island and has recently accepted its second unit of students into the program.