Bulletin of Dental Education Article

The University of Cincinnati (UC) Blue Ash College Dental Hygiene Clinic is the largest of its kind in Ohio. It serves as the hub for hands-on learning as well as a variety of programs that provide free or reduced-cost oral health care to the Greater Cincinnati community.

“To put it simply, our clinic changes lives. Or I should say that our amazing team at UC Blue Ash changes lives—that includes the students, faculty, staff and administration, as well as our volunteers and donors. From community outreach programs to regular clinic sessions to training our future dental hygienists and EFDAs, our clinic is the special place where lives are changed,” said Luke Burroughs, M.P.H., RDH, Program Director and Associate Professor of Dental Hygiene at UC Blue Ash College. He estimates that the clinic provides approximately $1.5 million worth of free or discounted care through regular clinic sessions and community outreach programs. 

But just a few years ago, the clinic was in dire need of renovation.

While the dental hygiene program dates back to the founding of UC Blue Ash College in 1967, the dental clinic was built in 1999. Like a dentist’s office, each patient care unit has cabinetry, shelves, drawers for equipment, sink/plumbing, patient chair, doctor stool, computers, monitors, lighting and vacuum equipment.

Nearly 25 years later, most of the 34 patient care units were showing their age. The patient chairs in four units were replaced in recent years with bariatric chairs to enhance accessibility. The remaining 30 patient chairs and units were in constant need of repairs. Chairs had mechanical issues, hoses and tubes were cracking and the cabinetry was falling apart.

Leaders from the UC Blue Ash College Dental Hygiene program and the college worked with the University of Cincinnati and donors who support the program to help fund a major renovation. The result transformed the clinic into a modern teaching and patient care facility that reflects current standards of dental education and clinical practice.

Renovation Rundown 

All 30 dental operatories were modernized with new cabinetries, dental units and LED dental lighting that provides shadow-free illumination. Each unit includes an A-dec 300 patient chair with seamless upholstery for easier cleaning and an A-dec 332 Pro Radius delivery system featuring six positions. There is also an advanced dental delivery system touchpad customized to serve the dental hygiene and expanded functions dental assistant (EFDA) programs. 

New ergonomic operator stools allow faculty and students to adjust seating heights and positioning for improved comfort during patient care and commercial-grade flooring was installed throughout the clinic to support a clean clinical environment.

The dispensary, also known as the sterilization center, was transformed into a customized A-dec 594 Inspired Sterilization Center that optimizes workflow, space utilization and instrument processing while supporting effective infection prevention practices.

A New Beginning

The UC Blue Ash College Dental Hygiene Clinic renovation was completed in just over four months, and the project was celebrated with a ribbon cutting. The renovation has received praise from those who visit and practice in the clinic. 

“Having access to a new clinic gives me the opportunity to learn using the same equipment I will be utilizing in my career” said Joshua Vega Sarabia, a second-year dental hygiene student. “It allows me to build my confidence and clinical skills while providing my patients with safe, high-quality care in a clean and comfortable environment.”

Courtesy of University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College

Published on August 12, 2026