Health Sciences

Community services are important components of SRJC's Health Sciences programs. In addition to classroom, laboratory, and clinical work, Health Sciences students are given the opportunity to work in the community. The Nursing students, for example, are involved with influenza clinics at local senior centers, hospitals, and community clinics. Some are involved with homeless shelters and food bank programs. Allied dental students work in youth programs, community dental clinics, and the local schools, while others are also involved in community events, such as the Human Race and blood drives. Health Sciences students are community involved even though their time is very limited outside of their classes, laboratories, and clinics.

For many children, dental care is the most difficult health care to access! In light of this problem in the community, SRJC second-year Dental Hygiene student volunteers have an ongoing partnership with Santa Rosa Sunrise Rotary Club to meet the challenge of making a difference in the community.

On Fridays, when the dental hygiene students do not have classes, they go to schools throughout SRJC's service region, provide dental education and cleanings, and apply topical fluoride and assist the volunteer dentist screen children who need restorative work for referrals. All the children are given battery-powered toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental education materials provided by dental supply companies.

A field clinic with four stations and autoclave is set up in a designated school gym, cafeteria, library, unused classroom, or lobby area. All the needed equipment is placed in a trailer and set up at the school. The program networks with the school nurses, and permission and release forms are given to all parents and must be received prior to any dental hygiene services. The Rotarians who help pay for the equipment are involved with he registration of the children at the school site and help find dentists to provide free dental care for children who cannot afford the services. This program is now institutionalized because of the commitment of dental hygiene students, staff local dentists, and the Sunrise Rotarians.