SUBMITTED NEWS RELEASE
As a dedicated community partner, Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) continues to promote good dental health by delivering unparalleled care to Northern Nevadans. On Friday, Nov. 11, TMCC dental assisting and dental hygiene students joined forces with local dentists, Sala Family Dentistry and Dr. Scott Boyden, to provide free dental care to uninsured and underprivileged community members during Dentistry from the Heart (DFTH). In just one day, students assisted in providing $60,000 in dental care and serviced more than 120 people.
“I am amazed at the dedication that our students have shown to both their education and the well-being of our community,” said Julie Muhle, coordinator for the Dental Assisting program at TMCC. “By volunteering between eight and 11 hours of time to Dentistry from the Heart, students were truly able to expand upon their knowledge through additional hands-on learning while helping to improve lives.”
DFTH is a national nonprofit organization created in 2001 that is focused on providing free dental care to those in need. Each year, dentists and practices throughout the country donate their time and resources to host their own DFTH events. This nationwide initiative spans from California to New York with 48 states hosting events each year. More than 30,000 patients have been helped and $6 million donated since the program’s inception ten years ago. Each year, TMCC students offer their skills to the cause, positively impacting hundreds of lives.
“The students were absolutely exceptional and were key players to the success of the event,” said Muhle. “Their unparalleled skill and professionalism contributed to a productive, comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere.”
The TMCC dental hygiene program is a two-year associate of science degree program. The degree is accredited by a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education, the Commission on Dental Accreditation. The program’s goal is to provide students with the highest quality of education so they are able to provide preventive and therapeutic dental care. Upon completion of the program, students are licensed to practice dental hygiene and provide dental health services to the public.
TMCC’s dental assisting program is a 10-month associate of science degree program with entry available only in the fall semester. The program focuses on infection control, chairside procedures, practice management, radiography and clinical science. After completing the program, students are qualified to take the Dental Assisting National Board exam to become a Certified Dental Assistant.
About TMCC
Truckee Meadows Community College is a comprehensive community college located in Reno, Nevada, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. With five college sites and more than 20 community locations, TMCC serves over 20,000 students each year in state-supported programs and another 12,000 students in non-credit workforce development classes. For more information, please go to www.tmcc.edu.
