Utah Tech University Dental Hygiene Students Become Laser Certified
By Grayce Payne
23 senior students from Utah Tech University’s dental hygiene program recently became laser certified after Ultradent Products Inc donated six Gemini Dental Lasers to UT’s public dental hygiene clinic and Department of Dental Hygiene.
Laser certification enables the program to provide students with more opportunities to be prepared for clinical practice and expands services available to patients treated at the clinic. Laser therapy not only benefits students by helping them gain clinical experience, but it also enhances healing and prevents infection for patients.
“Being laser certified in the field of dental hygiene opens the door to many clinical opportunities,” Alyse Crosby, a senior dental hygiene student, said. “[This opportunity] has fueled my passion for the profession, inspired me to pursue further learning, and provided me with a deeper understanding of oral health.”
Dental hygiene students, along with 15 faculty members, underwent 12 hours of continuing education and an exam, which prepared the clinicians to use dental hygiene laser therapy in any state that requires certification. The state of Utah doesn’t currently require certification to use these lasers, but for students looking to be employed out of the state, this certification makes them more marketable.
“With Ultradent’s gift, we are now able to provide our students with experiences that they have asked for and community dentists have requested they be trained in,” Dental Hygiene Department Chair, Brenda Armstrong, said. “We are so thankful for the donation that gives our students another way to be prepared for their professional practice.”
UT's public dental hygiene clinic allows dental hygiene students to provide oral healthcare education and dental hygiene services to the public under faculty supervision. Students within the program receive extensive education, training and have demonstrated proficiency in providing clinical services. To learn more about the dental hygiene program, visit health.utahtech.edu/dental-hygiene. For individuals looking to receive services through the clinic, visit health.utahtech.edu/dental-hygiene/clinic.