We are pleased that you have shown interest to be a patient for one of the dental hygiene students. Without you, it would be impossible for us to accomplish our goal of educating students for a career in dental hygiene.
This webpage is designed to acquaint you with some of the clinical policies and procedures. It will be most helpful for you to read through this information prior to your appointment.
Patient Rights & Consent Packet (pdf)
SUNY Broome Dental Hygiene Clinic Fees Per Semester
| Patient | Fee |
|---|---|
| SUNY Broome Students (with proper student ID) | No Fee |
| Medicaid Patients (with proper ID card) | No Fee |
| Board and Mock Board Patients | No Fee |
| Children | $20.00 |
| Adults 18-59 years of age | $30.00 |
| Adults over 60 | $20.00 |
The fee covers all appointments during one semester.
Your Health History
On your first visit to the clinic, you will be required to complete a thorough medical/dental history prior to the start of your appointment. Therefore, you will be scheduled to allow 15 minutes for this task before the actual start of the appointment. A comprehensive health history is necessary for us to provide you with thorough, safe treatment.
Your physician must be consulted PRIOR to any dental hygiene treatment if you have or have had any of the following conditions:
Cardiac Conditions
- Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)
- Unrepaired, cyanotic CHD
- Repaired (completely) in last 6 mos.
- Repaired CHD w/residual defects
- Artificial Cardiac Valves
- Previous History of Infective Endocarditis
- Pulmonary Shunts
- Other Cardiac Surgery
- Cardiac Transplant
Orthopedic Conditions
- Internal Artificial Replacements
Renal Conditions
- Renal Transplant
- Hemodialysis
- Glomerulonephritis
Reduced Capacity to Resist Infection
- Corticosteroid Therapy
- Head & Neck Radiation Therapy
- Anticancer Chemotherapy
- Diabetes Mellitus (uncontrolled)
- Hepatitis B or C (blood)
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Active Tuberculosis
- Transplants: (type)
- Systemic Lupus
- Crohn’s Disease
- HIV / AIDS
- Bisphosphonate IV or Injection Therapy
Other Conditions
- Hemophilia
- Taking Anticoagulants
- Liver Disease
Written physician approval for treatment is, in the above cases, required for our records.
HEART DISEASE – Where medication is necessary for emergency use, the medication MUST be at the dental chair.
ASTHMATIC PATIENTS are requested to bring their own inhaler.
What will happen during your appointment?
During the appointment the student and an instructor work on a one-to-one basis utilizing you, the patient, as a learning resource. All students will be involved in blood pressure screening, examination of the head and neck regions, inspection of the teeth and gums, home care instructions, and a thorough cleaning of the teeth for the removal of tartar, stain and plaque. In addition, senior students may provide services such as fluoride treatments, x-rays, and sealants.
DENTAL HYGIENE CARE (Dependent on patient needs):
- Intra/Extra Oral Examination (oral cancer screening)
- Charting – Periodontal/Dental
- Radiographs (x-rays)
- Oral Self-Care Instructions
- Prophylaxis (cleaning)
- Mouth guards for sports
- Sealants
- Fluoride Treatment
What will be the length of your appointment?
Do I still need to visit my dentist?
All clinical activities occur under the supervision of a licensed dentist. However, this should not be interpreted as diagnosis of the oral conditions present in your mouth. The dental hygienist, by law, is not allowed to diagnose. You must still return to your dentist for your regular dental check-up.
We hope this letter has answered some of your questions regarding the clinic. Should you have any other questions, please feel free to contact the clinic at 607-778-5015. We know that you will be pleased with the services provided. Thank you for being a patient at the SUNY Broome Dental Hygiene Clinic!
PLEASE NOTE: The SUNY Broome Dental Hygiene Clinic has no provisions for child care. Children are not allowed to sit with parent/patient in the clinic during the appointment, so please make arrangements for child care.
SUNY Broome DH Clinic Blood Borne Pathogens Statement for Patients
The SUNY Broome Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic is committed to the safety of all its patients, students, faculty, and staff. In the process of treating patients, the potential exists for transmission of blood borne pathogens as well as other diseases. All faculty, staff, and students in the Department are trained annually with methods to reduce the risk of disease transmission. The Clinic maintains the highest infection control standards to minimize the risk of any disease transmission. It is safe for you to be treated in our clinic.
All patients, regardless of their HIV,HBV, or HCV status will be provided services at the SUNY Broome Dental Hygiene Clinic. Standard Precautions as set by regulatory agencies will be employed in order to reduce exposure from patient to student, student to patient, and patient to patient.
SUNY Broome DH Department Policy on Radiation for Patients
Dental x-rays are a useful diagnostic tool when detecting dental disease not visible during a regular exam. How often x-rays should be taken depends on your age group and rick for dental disease.
After completing your examination the dentist will authorize necessary x-rays.
If you are a new patient, then x-rays will help develop baseline information. If you are a recall patient then x-rays may help to assess new disease.
If a previous dental office has any radiographs of you, a copy may be requested. You may ask your dentist to send copies of your x-rays.
Broome Community College Dental Hygiene Department Policy on Radiation reduces the radiation to the patient to As Low As Reasonably Achievable. This is known as the ALARA Concept and includes:
- Placing a protective lead apron and thyroid collar
- Using the fastest film and sensors available
- Using a safe PID (cone) which is lead-lined, open, and long
- Testing of the x-ray machine annually so they comply with New York State Guidelines
