Illinois Valley Community College has announced an expansion of its Dental Health Center Clinic, now offering more appointments and including a new Dental Hygiene Program. Starting January 13th, the clinic will operate three days a week, providing affordable dental care including exams, x-rays, and cleanings. The clinic will run through May 5th from 8 AM to noon. This expansion not only aids the community by making dental services more accessible but also enhances the practical training for students.
The clinic will provide comprehensive exams, x-rays, cleaning, sealants, oral cancer screening, fluoride treatment, and oral hygiene instruction. The clinic does not provide restorative or surgical procedures, such as extractions, dentures, or crowns, but those procedures can be referred to area dentists with the completed treatment plan and diagnostic materials provided by the clinic at no additional cost.
“Besides being a valuable training setting for students, the clinic is an important resource for the community because it helps make dental care accessible and affordable,” said IVCC Dean of Health Professions Heather Seghi. “In rural communities like ours, access to affordable and preventive dental care can be challenging due to limited resources, transportation barriers and economic constraints.”
The cost is $30 for cleanings (cash or check only) for the public. Exams, x-rays, and sealants are free. IVCC students and employees receive all services at no cost. The clinic does not accept any form of insurance for payment. Patients who qualify for Medicare or Medicaid may bring proof of this, and the clinic will waive the $30 fee.
Appointments are necessary as there are no walk-ins. For the January opening, appointments can be made now by calling the clinic at 815-224-0227 or emailing [email protected]. Please allow three business days for a reply because students return these calls and emails during regularly scheduled class times. Appointments are first-come, first-served
Dental Hygiene applications are open through March 1st and require a $54 payment to take the required HESI Admissions Assessment (A2) embedded within the application. To qualify for the Dental Hygiene Program, you must first complete the Dental Assisting Program at IVCC or another CODA-accredited program.
Dental Assisting applications are open through May 1st, with no admissions assessment or fee. Prospective applicants can apply to these programs by visiting www.ivcc.edu/apply and selecting the 2025 Nursing, Dental, and Medical Assisting Application. Once started, they will select their chosen program of study.
