Division of Dental Hygiene

UNM School-Based Dental Hygiene Clinics

The University of New Mexico operates one school-based dental clinic and is in the process of developing two more school-based dental clinics . Although New Mexican school children receive dental care via mobile dental programs throughout the state, UNM initiated the first school-based permanent dental clinic with the help of Delta Dental of New Mexico.

Presently, the UNM School Based Health Centers (SBHC) in conjunction with the UNM Division of Dental Hygiene operates a dental clinic at Van Buren Middle School which provides preventive service in a coordinated effort with the nearby UNM Southeast Heights Dental Clinic to provide restorative services while simultaneously exposing UNM dental hygiene students to a school-based clinic. The Van Buren SBHC dental program provides students with dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, individualized and classroom oral health education, dental exams and referrals for needed treatment. The dental hygienist works with parents, teachers and dentists to ensure optimal dental health for all students.

The University of New Mexico School Based Health Center, in cooperation with the Division of Dental Hygiene maintains a coordinated group of licensed dental providers to ensure access of quality oral health care to students attending Van Buren Middle School. This program is established to improve the overall health of Van Buren Middle School students by striving to meet established program goals.

Program Goals:

  1. Patient Care
    Provide comprehensive dental hygiene assessment, treatment, and subsequent referrals that are in the best interest of the patient.
  2. Education
    Inform students of the significance of high-quality personal oral hygiene, proper diet and nutrition, diagnoses and maintenance of systemic diseases, and avoidance of addiction forming substances in order to maintain a state of health.
  3. Oral Hygiene Instruction
    Evaluation of student’s initial oral hygiene level and subsequent verbal and mechanical demonstration of oral hygiene measures including but not limited to, tooth brushing, flossing, and pertinent oral hygiene adjuncts based on individual patient needs.
  4. Increase Access to Dental Care
    Raise the overall number of students that seek and receive preventive dental hygiene care by providing an environment that is readily available on site within the school setting.
  5. Non-traditional Practice Setting
    Generate a group of qualified oral health care practitioners who will provide oral health care in a non-traditional practice setting.
  6. Promote Oral Health Needs of Children
    Create a network of participating oral health care practitioners, school administrators and educators, and allied health care professionals that will serve as advocates for the oral health needs of school aged children.

PARENTS: If you are interested in having your children participate in this program please complete this form form and have your child bring to school. Form en Espanol.

DENTAL HYGIENISTS: If you are interested in starting or learning more about school-based dental clinics please download our manual here.

For more information on this program please email Missy Plese, RDH, MS, Assistant Professor, at Mplese@salud.unm.edu or call her at (505) 272-5048.

Missy McDougal-Plese, RDH, MS, UNM Faculty
providing dental hygiene care at the Van Buren
Middle School Dental Clinic

Delta Dental of New Mexico presenting UNM with
a $24,000 check to help fund the Van Buren
Middle School Dental Clinic.

Gregory Grannan, Delta Dental of New Mexico Professional
Relations Director, Walt Bolic, Delta Dental of New Mexico
CEO, Missy McDougal, RDH, MS, UNM Faculty, Demetra
Logothetis, RDH, MS, UNM Dental Hygiene Director and
Wayne Powell, UNM Institute for Public Health Associate Director.