The cost of dental care, even teeth cleaning, can be out of reach for many people, and that can put them at risk for serious health problems.
So Prairie State College in Chicago Heights offers affordable teeth cleaning and other dental care services to community members.
The clinic serves about 900 patients annually, many who have been coming for years. Opened in the 1960s, the clinic charges flat rates and doesn’t require the paperwork and calls to insurance companies that many state and federal health clinics do.
The college accepted 30 students into the Dental Hygiene program last year, who get valuable experience working in the clinic.
The Dental Hygiene clinic, in the college’s Health/Tech Center, was renovated last fall 2022, adding 25,000 square feet, plus digital radiographs, new software, a washer and dryer for gowns and towels, computers for each patient room, and computers and digital receptors for radiographs. That’s upped the comfort level for patients and made jobs easier for students and staff.
Dental cleanings start at $8 for children, $20 for adolescents and adults, and $15 for people 55 and older. Cleanings come with complimentary exams, while X-rays range from $3 to $20. Appointments can be made at 708-709-3707.
“They just think it’s very thorough because the instructors are checking the work,” said Gail Szewczyk, associate professor of Dental Hygiene and Community Dental Hygiene coordinator. “We have a lot of seniors who come to our clinic. It’s a social outing for them and also teaches our students good communication skills.
“Sometimes they help students ease them into care,” said Szewczyk, who began her dental career as a student in the college.
Patients are also checked by a dentist and dental assistant, though restorative work is not offered. Patients without a regular dental home can be referred to Aunt Martha’s Chicago Heights Community Health Center, which in turn refers patients to PSC for cleanings.
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Good dental hygiene is important to one’s overall health, Szewczyk said.
“There are actually correlations between diabetes and bacteria in the mouth,” she said. “If somebody is going to have heart surgery, a lot of doctors now will tell them to go and make sure their oral health is up to par because one can influence the other.”
Lois Winter, of Joliet, has been going to the clinic for years.
“It’s just like going to a dentist’s office, but it’s not that much money,” said Winter, who is 90. “That’s the only way you’re going to keep your teeth in your mouth, if you get them cleaned.”
Winter said she feels safe with the care because teachers are meticulous about checking students’ work.
“That helps to get these people to know what they’re doing,” Winter said. “I found it very pleasant.”
Dawn Piper, assistant professor/coordinator of Dental Assisting and Winter’s daughter, said many patients are nervous because they’ve put off dental work or had bad experiences. They feel reassured by getting a careful opinion about what they need done, she said.
“It’s wonderful because the students and the faculty really let patients feel warm and welcome,” said Piper. “We’re just very caring because we understand it’s hard for them to come in.”
And in the case of her mother and other older visitors, it works both ways, she said, noting they enjoy helping students learn.
“It’s such an intimate situation because you’re basically in someone’s lap,” Piper said.
Piper said there’s not a lot of signage on campus about the offering, but she thinks its important to get the word out about the low-cost dental care at Prairie State, 202 S. Halsted St. When she goes to a nearby restaurant, she sometimes mentions the clinic to servers, who may not have health insurance.
“They are shocked we have that,” she said.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.