Mesa Community College offering free dental services

PHOENIX — Mesa Community College is looking for individuals to participate in a free dental health screening Saturday.

The dental health screenings will be conducted by dental hygiene students at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health.

“Dental hygiene students only progress in their education through the participation of community members through events such as this,” Debi Sparks, director of the MCC Dental Hygiene Program, said in a press release Friday.

“The students’ clinical requirements state that care must be provided for individuals who have been diagnosed with periodontal (gum) disease and never had it treated, have been told they need a deep-scale cleaning, or have other dental hygiene issues such as puffy and bleeding gums.”

According to the release, the ideal candidates are those who have not received dental health care for more than three years or who have been diagnosed with dental health issues.

The screenings are not comprehensive, and treatment will not be provided during the event. Participants must also agree to have a full set of x-rays taken.

Some patients will be invited to participate in the program. Those who are invited will receive personalized fee-for-service care provided by students.

All patient care is practiced under the supervision of licensed dental hygienists and supervising dentists.

Appointments are available on Saturday at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. or noon. They can be made by calling 480-248-8195.

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