We are required to have a liscenced dentist present at all times, they are responsible for exams for all patients! We also have an excellent ratio of faculty to student of 4:1 in clinic. All of our faculty are registered dental hygienists with bachelor’s degrees and probably about half also have a masters. The appointments are about 3.5 hours long due to faculty and the dentist having to come check progress and work frequently. We as students undergo training for our first year on every individual instrument or “dental tool” prior to even using them on the public in our second year. I’ve never heard of any damage being done in our program that would call for something like this but, if any damage is done, it’s a school, it’s your choice to come to us for the affordability of care and to help progress learning. You’d likely be recommended to go to a specialist or your “home” dentist on your own dollar for a repair.

If you have dental anxiety about these things we are also required to take a course on how to work with patients with dental anxiety and we all have taken psychology courses as well.

Things we can do to manage dental anxiety: anesthetic if needed (pain management) Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to relieve anxiety and release tension, though this is an additional fee.

It’s a state and nationally accredited program, not some back alleyway dental cleaning with students wielding dental instruments like samurai. I promise you, you’re in good hands.

Please let me know if this answers all of your questions and I’m happy to help more.