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About the Dental Hygiene Clinic

The Hocking College Dental Hygiene Clinic is staffed by dental hygiene students enrolled in the Hocking College Dental Hygiene Program. The clinic features 12 state-of-the-art operatories, and all patient care is provided under the direct supervision of licensed dental hygiene faculty and supervising dentists.

Before providing care to patients, all students have successfully completed extensive training using simulation manikins and peer practice. The clinical setting allows students to fulfill the required competencies necessary to become registered dental hygienists. 

The clinic is open to the public, including individuals who already have an established dentist. Its mission is to provide high-quality, reduced cost dental hygiene services while offering students valuable hands-on clinical experience.

Clinic hours will vary by semester. Call to schedule an appointment at (740) 753-7540.

Dental hygiene services are provided free of charge to:

  • Medicaid recipients with presentation of a medical card
  • First responders
  • Seniors age 60 and older
  • Veterans

Meet the Team

Misti Malfe
Dental Hygiene Program Manager

Misti Malfe has practiced dental hygiene for more than 33 years throughout Ohio. During that time, she has managed and built a hygiene department in a practice from the ground up. She is certified in all areas of dental hygiene including but not limited to emergency medical and local anesthesia. She has furthered her education by earning continuing education credits in all aspects of dental hygiene and instructional methodology. Malfe graduated with an Associate of Applied Science, in dental Hygiene from Lima Technical College in 1984. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Information Technology. She has recently earned two more degrees, an Associate of Technology and an Associate of Applied Business in programing and webpage design from Zane State College.  

Misti has practiced locally for more than 20 years and continues to live in the area. She enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family including a son and daughter, along with pets. Teaching and instructing students are the area she enjoys most about her job.

Karelle Hopkins
Dental Hygiene Faculty Member

Karelle Hopkins, a full-time Hocking College faculty member, received her Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene from The Ohio State University. She has over 30 years of experience in the field of dentistry. Throughout her career, she has become knowledgeable in various facets of dental health care, such as; medical emergencies, sedation dentistry, local anesthetic, phlebotomy, periodontology, implantology, sleep apnea, CAD/CAM technology, 3-D radiography, among others. Karelle is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Dental Hygiene at The Ohio State University. 

Karelle and her husband, Brad, live on a farm in Morgan County Ohio, where they raised two daughters. In 2012, Karelle and Brad built MoCo's Dip-n-Sip in McConnelsville, Ohio, a drive-thru food and ice cream establishment. Together, they enjoy all that farm life and southeastern Ohio has to offer.
Baylee Barrera
Clinic Coordiantor

A small-town southeastern Ohio girl, Baylee Barrera, was born and raised in Malta. After graduating high school, she attended The Ohio State University for three years before transferring to West Liberty University for dental hygiene school, where she also played basketball. Baylee has worked in various demographics as a hygienist, reaching a diverse community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, watching sporting events and spending time with her extended family.

 

About Hocking College

With more than 50 associate degree programs to choose from, Hocking College now serves more than 3,000 students. Set in the scenic town of Nelsonville, Ohio, the 2,300-acre campus is rich in history, nature, art and culture. Hocking College also has the Perry Campus located in New Lexington, Ohio and the Logan Campus in Logan, Ohio. In addition to the school’s on-campus residents who attend Hocking College from throughout the United States and around the world, local students commute from all over southeastern Ohio.

About The Dental Hygiene Program

Students who complete the two academic years of full-time instruction in the Dental Hygiene Program will receive an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the National and Regional board exams and state laws exam to become a Registered Dental Hygienist.

The curriculum content includes courses in the following four areas: General Education, Biomedical Sciences, Dental Sciences, and Dental Hygiene Sciences. Courses provide a thorough background in oral structure development and disease prevention, progression, and treatment. The program emphasizes professional and ethical interactions with patients and other health professionals. Effective communication skills are also gained through patient interaction and instructional methods within courses.

To learn more about this program, please contact Misti Malfe, the dental hygiene program manager, or contact the Hocking College Admissions team at (740) 753-7050.

 

Updates from the Dental Hygiene Program