REAL WORLD ORAL HEALTH CARE TRAINING
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry Community Outreach program is one of the most comprehensive dental health service learning curricula in the nation. Participating fourth-year dentistry, dental hygiene undergraduates and graduate residents gain practical dental experience while bringing comprehensive oral health care to thousands of traditionally underserved patients and improving the general health of communities throughout Michigan.
The Community Outreach program consists of direct partnerships between the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and six public community health centers located in Michigan cities. Additionally, the Community Outreach program offers a summer rotation providing oral health care to migrant workers in the Traverse city region. The active support of a unique collaboration of public and private institutions is vital to the program's continuing viability.
EVERYONE WINS The Community Outreach program is proven to be a winning proposition for all participating parties.
- Students experience the complex interrelationships of oral health care issues in a patient-centered primary healthcare facility.
- Patients receive complete oral health care.
- Partner health centers can deliver more services to more patients.
- Communities benefit from healthier citizens requiring fewer dental-oriented hospital emergency room services and better school and work attendance.
THE PRIMARY GOAL: SUPERIOR EDUCATION
Patient, Partner and Community benefits are an important part of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry Community Outreach program. But the program's primary objective is to prepare students for a lifelong commitment to being a responsible health care professional. Therefore, the program is designed to build upon campus-based classroom and clinical curriculum. UMSD faculty closely monitor each student's technical, interpersonal and curricular progress. This ensures that students hone their practical and critical skills, experience the widest possible number and variety of procedures, and learn to work effectively as a member of a professional staff.
PREPARATION FOR PROFESSIONALSPracticing clinical skills in a public health center setting provides a real-life clinical experience that builds upon campus-based studies to enhance academic learning. Just as importantly, students gain community service exposure and education for citizenship experience by making tangible contributions as oral health professionals and improving the quality of life of individuals, families and communities.