CLC Dental Hygiene Clinic offers $15 cleanings in downtown Waukegan
For Lake County residents who lack dental insurance, the College of Lake County Dental Hygiene Clinic in downtown Waukegan provides free screening appointments and complete dental hygiene services for just $15. Services are provided by CLC students training to be dental hygienists and are supervised by instructors, who are licensed dental hygienists, faculty members and a dentist.
"All our clinic patients begin with a screening appointment with a dental hygiene student, where dental health needs are assessed and further dental services are scheduled," said Sue Nierstheimer, chair of the program, which is accredited by the American Dental Association. The clinic, located at 111 N. Genesee St., features state-of-the-art equipment found in modern dental offices.
For $15, patients receive teeth cleanings, X-rays, fluoride application, pit and fissure sealants and an oral health screening for other dental needs. This service is free for students with a CLC ID. Each procedure is checked by a licensed dental professional. Teeth whitening is available for $125.
"Because we are a teaching clinic and our students and faculty are very thorough, patients should expect to spend several hours in the clinic. The atmosphere is very friendly and caring, with low lighting and music playing. Our students and faculty do everything we can to make sure patients are comfortable and receive the best care."
To make an appointment, call (847) 543-2172, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more about how to become a dental hygienist at CLC, visit www.clcillinois.edu/programs/dhy. A video, which features students and faculty working on the clinic and in class, is available on the site. Faculty will conduct dental hygiene information sessions at noon Nov. 2 and Dec. 7 in Room N135, 111 N. Genesee St. For information, contact Nierstheimer at (847) 543-2638 or bio558@clcillinois.edu.
The salary range for dental hygienists is $34,900-$81,900 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Chicago area), and the demand is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.