Free Dental Hygiene Clinic Set to Open in Long Island

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. --(Business Wire)--

Dental care can be a big expense and the need to increase access to oral care is a priority. Briarcliffe College is addressing these issues by offering dental hygiene services at no-cost in its community-based clinic opening this spring. The Briarcliffe College Dental Hygiene Clinic will offer dental hygiene services to Long Island residents while providing learning opportunities for Briarcliffe College students as part of Briarcliffe's commitment to expanding access to dental care and giving back to the communities it serves.

"Briarcliffe students will not only utilize their classroom and clinical skills and knowledge but will help build a new foundation for affordable and accessible dental hygiene care," said Dr. George Santiago, President and CEO of Briarcliffe College. "Students will meet this critical health need with the highest level of dedication and care in order to make a difference in the Long Island community."

On Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, Briarcliffe College will host a ceremonial ribbon cutting event at the Patchogue campus to inaugurate the opening of the clinic. Village of Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri and Suffolk County Legislator Ricardo Montano will be in attendance, as will Chair of the Senate Education Committee Mr. Kenneth P. LaValle; Mr. Ray Thomas for Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano; and Mr. Ken Anziano, District Director for Senator Lee M. Zeldin. The College as also invited a number o public servants, educators and community leaders to help celebrate the clinic opening.

The Briarcliffe College Dental Hygiene Clinic will officially open to the public in February 2013 for pre-screening and radiology appointments and on March 11, 2013, will open its doors for all comprehensive dental hygiene services. It will be open for walk-ins or by appointment between 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The clinic will provide a variety of services, including dental and medical histories; vital signs; radiographs; oral cancer screening; periodontal (gum) treatments; fluoride applications; dental sealants; coronal polishing and other preventative services. Dental Hygiene students, under the supervision of dental hygiene program faculty members will be providing all services.

Anyone interested in an appointment should contact Arlene Guagliano, Department Chair, Dental Hygiene at (631) 730-2075 to learn more about the clinic and learn how to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be welcome but appointments are requested.

The Dental Hygiene program is one of only two dental hygiene programs available on Long Island and has recently accepted its second cohort of students into the program. The next admissions cycle is scheduled for September 2013. Academic scholarships are available for new and transfer students.

About Briarcliffe College

A proprietary institution with locations in Bethpage, Patchogue and Queens NY., Briarcliffe College is a four-year career-focused education college offering degree programs in the fields of accounting, business administration, criminal justice, graphic design, healthcare administration, information technology, management, marketing, paralegal studies and dental hygiene. Programs vary by location. The Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (267) 284-5000 accredits Briarcliffe College. Briarcliffe College cannot guarantee employment or salary. Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at www.briarcliffe.edu/disclosure. Briarcliffe College is also a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of colleges, universities and schools. For more information, visit www.briarcliffe.edu.