Michael Rutschky
Published: August 23, 2006
While most PJC students have to wait until after graduation to work in the field of their major, certain departments are giving students the opportunity to work as they learn. This, of course, benefits students who are gaining the experience required to move into the field, but it also benefits their patients and customers, who receive care at a fraction of the cost of professional practitioners.
The dental hygiene clinic, in building 3100 on the Warrington campus, has been alleviating patients of their dental woes since 1967. The services are free to all full-time PJC students and faculty, as well as Veteran’s Administration card holders and disabled veterans. Any adult from outside the school is only charged $18.
The clinic offers various services which include, but are not limited to: oral x-rays, cleanings, sealants, oral cancer screenings, and referrals to regular dentists. Although the price is reduced, the quality of the service is kept at a high standard. Customers are also ensured that the facility isn’t of a lower standard either.
“All our dental equipment is fairly new,” said Cecelia Coburger, course instructor for the freshman clinic. “Our technology is up to par.”
The services are performed as a major part of the training that students must undergo to attain a license in dental hygiene. Students are meticulously observed to ensure skillfulness.
“They have two grade sheets. One for the patient and then they have one strictly on things like documents, professionalism, all of the other things that go into being a hygienist,” Coburger said.
The clinic is always looking for new patients, and with free service for all full-time PJC students, there’s little reason to say no. For an appointment call 484-2236.
At both the Pensacola and Milton campuses, the cosmetology department offers quality cosmetic care at affordable rates.
“Right now we operate just like a regular salon,” said Twana Mayo, an instructor of esthetics at the Pensacola campus. “We have four books that we book appointments out of, we have massage therapy daytime and night time, we have nail techs that are here at night, barbers that are here at night, esthetics, which is advanced facials, which are done at night, and during the day we have cosmetology that offers two different floors.”
The students who are working in the department are committed to a specific amount of hours of experience in their field. Estheticians are required to complete 260 hours, as well as pass a final exam given by the state board in order to earn a license. Cosmetologists are required to complete 1,200 hours.
The time and energy spent is paying off, as more and more customers have already acknowledged.
“They tell me how well these students do,” Mayo said. “Better than some of them out in the field where they’re paying a lot more money. I hear compliments all the time.”
The cosmetology department is located in Bldg. 12, only a short walk away for students attending class at the Pensacola campus. Their phone number is 484-2567. The Milton salon is open Tuesday through Friday by appointment. Call 484-1397.