Life Without Dental Insurance... Getting Our Teeth Cleaned at the Dr. Robert H. Hill II Dental Hygiene Clinic at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York

Retirement has lots of positives.  Eric and I have free time and with lots to see and do. Retirement has a negative Eric and I must deal with...  Dental care are not offered as part of Eric's health insurance benefit.

Eric and I tried to get our teeth cleaned at our pre-retirement dentist's office.  The cost per cleaning at First Advantage Dental is $87.00.  Pricey, but we need cleanings.  After arriving at First Advantage Dental for our appointments, Eric and I were told that their policy requires us to see a dentist at an additional charge.  As we just wanted dental cleanings, we declined our appointments.

Eric and I collected copies of our dental X-rays and left.  There has to be other options available for dental care.

While visiting our former neighbor, Kim, we learned about Hudson Valley Community College's Dental Hygienist Program.  Students provide dental cleaning services as part of their course work.

I investigated the program and its fee schedule.  Cleanings will cost $10.00 each,  a substantial savings.  As students provide dental cleaning services, we will spend more time in the dental chair than we are used to doing. Eric and I have plenty of time so, we made appointments to have our teeth cleaned.

The Dental Hygiene Clinic
is located in the James. J.
Fitzgibbons  Health 
Technologies Center at
Hudson Valley Community
College in Troy.

Eric smiles up at the

 Dr. Robert H. Hill II Dental

Hygiene Clinic sign.

We arrived early & filled

out the appropriate forms.

Besides the TV in the corner,

there is information on oral care.

An area for small children
to keep busy while waiting...







Beyond the door is a series of dental work stations and X-ray facilities.  Our students, Andrina and Gina welcomed us.  After we are settled in dental chairs, our X-rays are reviewed and the work began...

Eric and I visited the Dr. Robert H. Hill II Dental Hygiene Clinic three times.  Each appointment lasted two to two and one half hours.  Our student hygienists spent our first visit examining our mouths and charting each tooth.  Because a student was working on me, I heard all kinds of terms like proximal, mesial, lingual, etc.  Instructors come by and check their work.  Questions were asked and answered,

Our teeth were cleaned during our second and third visits.  Again, the work was checked, questions asked and answered.  After our teeth were polished and painted with fluoride (we usually don't have access to fluoridated water), Eric and I thanked Andrina and Gina.  We were given a list of dental clinics in the Capital District.  Eventually, we will need a dentist. Eric and I filled out our evaluation forms and waved goodbye to the receptionist.

Eric and I agreed that Andrina and Gina were very professional.  I asked Gina lots of questions.  She happily answered them and gave examples of thorough dental cleaning techniques.

We will make appointments for cleanings in the spring.  Next time, the cleanings won't take three visits.