Health Insurance
The WLHSDM does not provide health insurance for its students or their dependents but all students are required to maintain health insurance throughout their four years of dental school. Any medical bills incurred by an uninsured student will be their financial responsibility. TTUHSC El Paso offers medical, dental, and vision health insurance through a third party affiliate, Academic Health Plans, see https://ttuhscep.myahpcare.com/enrollment
All of our TTUHSC El Paso clinics, El Paso community clinics in which students will obtain training, also require each student be covered by health insurance as well. Clinic personnel may ask you for proof of coverage at any time. Students will be denied access to clinical experiences if not covered by health insurance.
Disability Insurance
As part of your required fees, the school provides long term disability insurance through Dearborn National. If a medical condition arises that may cause you to be disabled. Please contact the Office of Student Services to file for the disability under this plan.
This clinic is for students needing acute or chronic medical care. Student Health Fees provide access to diagnostic, preventive, and therapeutic health services. The clinic is located at 9849 Kenworthy St., El Paso, TX 79924 call (915) 215-5550 for an appointment. Spouses or other dependents are not covered by student health fees.
The Student Health Fee covers only those services provided and ordered by the Texas Tech Physicians of El Paso at Kenworthy office and specific laboratory and radiology services performed at cooperating locations. All other charges incurred are the responsibility of the student.
Counseling - Program of Assistance for Students (PAS)
As a member of TTUHSC El Paso community you are provided with FREE, CONFIDENTIAL COUNSELING through the Program of Assistance for Students (PAS). You may self-refer to this program by calling any of the providers on the list (website below) and letting them know you are a TTUHSC El Paso dental student. Your student services fee provides short-term counseling per each academic year. There is also contact information in case of emergencies, see http://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/studentservices/PAS.aspx
Immunization Guidelines
Based on State and University requirements, all students should be immunized against a number of infectious diseases for their own safety as well as the safety of others. All WLHSDM students must be compliant with the school’s immunization requirements prior to the first day of orientation or the first day of class in each semester, noncompliance can result in a professionalism event card or removal from clinical duties. See https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/occupationalhealth/immunizations.aspx for more information.
To reduce the risk of transmission, the following vaccines are required prior to the first day of orientation or the first day of class in each semester:
- Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis: Primary series of Tetanus immunizations, plus one dose of Tdap within ten (10) years of matriculation. (Tdap) should be administered if it has been 2 years since the last Td booster.)
- Measles (Rubeola): Proof of immunity determined by serologic titer.
- Rubella (German Measles): Proof of immunity determined by serologic titer.
- Mumps: Proof of immunity determined by serologic titer
- Varicella (Chicken Pox): Proof of immunity determined by serologic titer.
- Hepatitis B: Series of three (3) and serologic proof of immunity. The third dose must be received no later than December 1 of the entering semester. If a student does not develop immunity after the initial series, a second series and re-titer will be required as recommended by the CDC.
- Annual Flu vaccine: given in the fall (covered by immunization fee). If you decline, you must wear a mask during the flu season during ALL patient encounters
- Meningococcal: Proof of immunization within the past five years
All student immunization records are kept on file within the TTUHSC El Paso Office of Occupational Health. Any updates to the student immunization record can be made directly with them with written documentation. For more information, please visit https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/occupationalhealth/immunizations.aspx
Tuberculosis Surveillance
All students who attend school at TTUHSC El Paso, with the exception of students identified as having no direct patient care, are required to have documentation of a TB skin test (TST) having been performed within the last 12 months, regardless of a history of BCG vaccine. See Attachment HSCEP OP 75.11. If you have any questions, please contact Occupational Health at (915) 215-4429.
Exposure Events
Students who have an “exposure event” to human blood or body fluid will report the exposure to their supervisor immediately and receive same day screening and blood testing, please see the Occupational Health website. The patient who is the source of the exposure will also be tested. Follow up blood tests are done to check for possible disease transmission. Medications may need to be taken in some cases. The students’ health insurance will be billed. If the insurance does not cover these costs Student Affairs will be contacted. You will receive further orientation to the pertinent policy at orientation and periodically thereafter.
Drug Screening
Drug screening may be required at any time, depending upon the program and/or the requirements of the affiliated institution. See HSCEP OP 77.15.
If there is a concern regarding a student’s substance abuse issue, the notice of a student’s positive drug screen will be sent to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs, who will forward it to the Physician/Student Wellness committee for evaluation. The student in question will not be eligible to participate in clinical activities until the issue has been addressed (see Impaired Medical Student policy). A student may request re-testing of his/her original sample within five (5) days of being notified of a positive result by contacting the laboratory directly. The student is responsible for the cost of this re-testing.
COVID-19
Student Responsibilities to Avoid Spread of COVID-19
As a student, you are vital to our future healthcare system and to the patients. During the COVID- 19 outbreak it is essential that you follow CDC and hospital guidelines to avoid infecting yourself, others in the workplace or classroom, patients, fellow students and your loved ones.
It is important to note that most new infections occur with contacts in the home or community, when persons are not practicing social distancing and not wearing a mask. Persons maintaining social distancing, including during meals and wearing masks are at very low risk of acquiring an infection from a positive contact.
TTUHSC El Paso guidelines:
TTUHSC El Paso leadership is closely monitoring the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and working with the Texas Tech University System to ensure our campus community remains safe. Throughout the pandemic we have implemented CDC guidelines and will continue to do so. We are committed to keeping our students, faculty and staff informed with updates on operational phases, local protocol and safety measures.
Personnel:
- Because El Paso County’s level of transmission is considered “high” by the CDC, face masks/coverings will still be required in all clinical settings, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status.
- People with COVID-19 should now isolate for five days if they’re asymptomatic, or if their symptoms have improved and they have not had a fever in 24 hours. However, a mask should still be worn around others for the five days that follow.
- If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 and have not yet received a vaccine or booster shot, a five-day quarantine is recommended.
- Those who are fully vaccinated and have received a booster shot do not need to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19, but should wear a mask for 10 days after exposure.
- For more information on safety and notification procedures, visit our university’s COVID-19 website at ttuhscep.edu/coronavirus.
Campus Operations:
- Small and large venues are fully operating; however at this time, it is recommended that individuals and visitors indoors - including those who are fully vaccinated - wear face masks and remain conscious of physical distancing.
Report Symptoms and Practice Safe Hygiene:
- Be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19, including: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, headache, body aches, congestion, new loss of taste or smell, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with those who are sick.
- Wear a mask when the region is experiencing “substantial” or “high” levels of community transmission.
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
Those students and employees experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who have been exposed to an individual with COVID-19 are asked to fill out the online screening tool here.
We will continue following the CDC’s guidelines to ensure the safety of our campus community, and you will receive weekly updates as TTUHSC El Paso leadership monitors cases in El Paso due to the omicron variant of the virus.
Continue to Use Safe Hygiene:
- Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with those who are sick.
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Inform your supervisor if you have a sick family member at home with COVID-19.
For more information regarding COVID-19 along with requirements for the TTUHSC El Paso campus and students, please visit:
https://ttuhscep.edu/coronavirus/students-and- employees/
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