Update on the award-winning Dental Hygiene Program

Seattle Central's Dental Hygiene Program received two awards at the Washington State Dental Hygienists’ Association House of Delegates on October 17 & 18, 2008. The program received recognition for having 100% faculty membership in the Association which is very notable.

In addition, Director Ona U. Canfield received the Martha Fales Award for selfless, passionate and righteous dedication to her profession; her leadership in maintaining excellence in educational standards; and her efforts toward the advancement of dental hygiene as a profession.

The Martha Fales Award was established in 1990 an honor established to honor Dr. Martha Fales, former Director of Dental Hygiene and emeritus professor at the University of Washington, a staunch defender and activist with local and national public health issues and programs.

Three students from the dental hygiene program attended the House of Delegates. This year was a first and it was a joint meeting with Oregon’s governing body in Portland. National representatives from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association came to present at this historical new collaborative event.

Shannon Schaffa, a second year student served as a student delegate; Eileen Marasigan, a first year student served as the alternate delegate, and second year class president Kelsey Cartwright attended as a guest. This was a wonderful experience for student representatives to learn about their professional association and leadership roles. Seattle Central Community College Dental Hygiene’s Clinic Coordinator, Ruth Gordon was re-elected to the two year term as the Speaker of the House.

Winter class schedule PDF

You can access the entire winter class schedule as a PDF - which is both viewable and printable. http://seattlecentral.edu/course/printsked.php

National Respiratory Care Week

The Respiratory Care Club at Seattle Central says that most people know that lung cancer is caused by smoking. And although smoking remains the top cause of lung cancer, responsible for 87 percent of all cases, other substances factor into the disease as well. According to the American Association for Respiratory Care, lung cancer may also be caused by radon, asbestos, arsenic and air pollution.

“The lion’s share of lung cancer still comes from the business end of a cigarette, and avoiding tobacco smoke either by quitting or, if you’re a nonsmoker, staying away from smoke, remains the number one way to steer clear of the disease,” says Max Ford, a student in the Respiratory Care program at Seattle Central.

Warning signs of lung cancer include a cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse; constant chest pain; coughing up blood; shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness; repeated bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis; swelling of the neck or face; loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss; and fatigue. Unfortunately, the cancer is often far along before these signs develop. “That’s why staying away from tobacco is so important,” says Max. “if you are a smoker and quit, your risk levels off after 10 years and drops to 50 percent.”

For more information on lung health, visit the AARC’s consumer web site, http://www.yourlunghealth.org/.

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) are specially trained and licensed respiratory health care professionals assisting physicians in diagnosis, treatment, and management of respiratory diseases. RTs provide care in hospitals, outpatient centers, physicians’ offices, skilled nursing facilities, and patients’ homes. Seattle Central is home to one of only five Respiratory Care programs in the state of Washington.

Submitting by Scott Mahoney, Respiratory Care Clinical Director

PTK cleans Capitol Hill

On Saturday, October 18, more than 100 people from the community came together to clean the streets of Capitol Hill. Seattle Central's honor society Phi Theta Kappa was one the largest groups in attendance (with the help of club advisor Kay Rutherford and her dog Gracie-girl.)

The Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce Street Sweep event is held every six months and focuses on cleaning different neighborhoods of Capitol Hill. Each event has been attended by hardworking PTK students. Saturdays event was wrapped up with a performance in Cal Anderson Park by Seattle Central music instructor Brian Kirk and his jazz band.