UNE Oral Health Center featured in 'Deering Squirrel'
UNE’s Oral Health Center was featured in a Deering Squirrel article for its dedication to affordable, comprehensive care within the community.
The article explained that through the Oral Health Center, students have the opportunity to provide care to patients under the supervision of licensed faculty dentists, allowing them to receive invaluable hands-on experience. Meanwhile, patients will receive high-quality services for a wide range of oral health needs including crowns, implants and extractions.
UNE’s College of Dental Hygiene also received a nod for its patient service, providing cleanings and fluoride treatments to uninsured community members inside the Dental Hygiene Clinic
A portion of the article addressed UNE’s effort to reduce the shortage of dental professionals in the region by requiring fourth-year students to serve on community-based rotations. It included a survey of UNE dental students from fall 2014 that showed 90% of Maine students plan to practice in the state after graduation, with 45% intending to serve in rural areas.
Rebecca Carr, M.P.H., community-based clinical education coordinator, expanded on this, stating “Sending our students out to rural and underserved communities directly addresses part of our mission, which is to improve the health of Northern New England.”
The article also mentioned the school’s partnership with KeyBank for the “Key to Oral Health” program that will send 14 students to gain experience working in clinics in Aroostook and Penobscot Counties.