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Kenya King
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Perimeter College
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DUNWOODY, Ga. — Georgia State University cut the ribbon Wednesday (Sept. 25) on a new $6.3 million dental hygiene clinic, expanding its capacity to provide dental care to the community and address the critical demand for professional dental hygienists.
More than 200 university administrators, faculty, staff, students and community partners attended the ceremony for the clinic, which is located at the university’s Perimeter College campus in Dunwoody.
The nearly 8,000-square-foot facility houses 20 operatories, giving students in Perimeter’s Dental Hygiene program opportunities to train using advanced equipment and technology. The college’s existing clinic was built in the 1970s and has 20 smaller operatories that are now offline with the new clinic’s opening.
An extra five dental stations, added during the pandemic, are now permanent and give the program a total of 25 dental chairs from which to provide services to Georgia State faculty, staff, students and the public.
“Labor data tells us that the growth rate for dental hygienist jobs is double the average rate for other occupations, which means Georgia State plays a key role in addressing the demand for dental hygienists,” said Georgia State President M. Brian Blake.
“Our new Dunwoody Campus clinic expands our ability to educate and prepare students to enter the workforce and serve in these critically important positions.”
U.S. Department of Labor statistics show that the growth rate for dental hygiene positions, from 2022-32, will be 7 percent faster than all other jobs nationally. In Georgia, this rate is even higher.
Perimeter College Dean Barbara Johnson addressed the impact that the Dunwoody clinic will have locally.
“Today, we celebrate not only the opening of this state-of-the-art facility but also the opportunities it represents for our students and the wider community,” Johnson said.
“Not only will our students gain valuable experience, but local residents will benefit from affordable and accessible care.”
Services at Perimeter’s clinic include dental cleanings and sealants as well as oral exams, cancer screenings and X-rays. The new clinic also features a guest reception area, as well as a radiology lab with X-ray rooms, windows that allow for lots of natural light and larger clinical operatories.
“Our clinic is an excellent choice for anyone seeking exceptional dental hygiene care at a more affordable price,” said Joanna Harris-Worelds, director of the Dental Hygiene program.
“The clinic plays a vital role in training our dental hygiene students, offering them practical, hands-on experience in a professional environment. We’re excited about the future opportunities and advancements that our modern, expanded facility will bring to both our students and their patients.”
Since the program’s start in 1975, Perimeter graduates have consistently scored at or near a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the national licensure exam, which Harris-Worelds said makes them highly recruited for dental hygiene positions in metro Atlanta.
Call 770-274-5140 or visit the Perimeter College Dental Hygiene Clinic webpage for more information about services, fees and appointments.
Top photo: Pictured are, from left, Joanna Harris-Worelds, director, Dental Hygiene program, Georgia State University (GSU), Perimeter College; Emma Gruensfelder, student, Dental Hygiene program; Jared Abramson, executive vice president and chief operating officer, GSU; Barbara Johnson, dean, GSU Perimeter College; Cade Joiner, Regent, University System of Georgia; M. Brian Blake, president, GSU; Dr. Bridget Blake, First Lady of GSU; the honorable Lynn Deutsch, mayor, City of Dunwoody; James Wilson, president, Student Government Association, GSU; Nicolle Parsons-Pollard, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, GSU.
Below: Dental hygiene students lead a tour of the new clinic for ribbon-cutting guests.
