When Kiana Walker started working with patients as a dental hygiene student, there was one question she had to stop herself from asking.

“At the beginning, you keep asking your patient ‘Are you OK? Are you OK? Are you OK?’ ” said Walker, 22. “Most people don’t like going to the dentist already. We know that. You’re just trying to be gentle and not hurt anyone.”

Finally, a patient told Walker that he would let her know if he was in pain.

“It was super nerve-wracking,” Walker said. “Most patients understood we were students and still learning. They were excited to be a part of our learning process.”

On Thursday, Walker was one of approximately 720 students decked out in a royal blue cap and gown walking in Clark College’s 80th commencement ceremony at Sunlight Supply Amphitheater. There were 346 Running Start graduates, a record for the school, which has the largest Running Start program in the state.