HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College announces receipt of a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and The Caring Foundation for the Dental Clinic run by the college’s Dental health programs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama and The Caring Foundation’s mission is to give back to the community by supporting initiatives to improve Alabamians’ health, wellness and education. This year that support included a grant award to Wallace State’s Dental Clinic in recognition of the service it provides the community.
Wallace State offers low-cost dental hygiene services in a modern dental clinic on campus. All treatment is provided by dental hygiene students who are supervised by the college’s licensed dental hygiene faculty and dentists. The Wallace State Dental Clinic is a teaching clinic. The care provided by student hygienists is done in such a way that gives priority to education and counts as one of their clinical sessions. It is a win-win for Wallace State and the surrounding communities.
“Inherent in our mission to provide learning that transforms lives and communities, Wallace State’s learning labs provide students invaluable opportunities to develop care competencies while also providing opportunities for community outreach, especially for underserved populations,” said Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics.
The Dental Clinic is open to the community and often provides services for children in daycare, seniors from area assisted living facilities, Wallace State students, and others.
“We are very appreciative of this investment in our Dental Clinic, which has had the largest impact and longest track-record of student success of any two-year program in the state. Partnerships like this one with BCBS and The Caring Foundation, along with those we have with the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Cullman County Center for the Developmentally Disabled, UAB, local dentists and others are invaluable to the students and region we serve,” said Wallace State Vice President for Learning and Dean of Health Science Lisa German.
Funds from this grant award will be used to offset the cost of equipment for the clinic.
The Dental Clinic at Wallace State provides preventative care, including cleanings, x-rays, sealants and bleaching. Cleanings are free for children younger than 18 and pregnant women. Clinic days vary by semester. Appointments are from 8-10:30 a.m. and noon-2:20 p.m. Call 256-352-8300 to schedule an appointment or visit www.wallacestate.edu/dentalclinic.
Wallace State offers pathways for Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene. The Dental Assisting program offers a three-semester certificate option and a four-semester associate degree option. The Dental Hygiene program offers a five-semester degree program.
