The UNMC College of Dentistry was recently presented with the Clinic with a Heart’s Community Partner Award at the organization’s 15th anniversary celebration of providing free health care to the uninsured and underinsured in Lincoln.
The college’s partnership with Clinic with a Heart, a Lincoln-based clinic that provides free health care, includes oral health screenings and extractions performed by full-time, part-time and volunteer faculty members and dental students.
Rob Rhoades, M.D., founder and president emeritus of Clinic with a Heart, presented the award.
“Partnering with an organization like the College of Dentistry has been a huge opportunity and privilege for Clinic with a Heart,” Dr. Rhoades said. “It helps meet a community-wide need for urgent dental care. Patients who were previously left with little help now benefit from professional services that they may not have otherwise received. This is a huge partnership that goes beyond any one person or organization.”
James Jenkins, D.D.S., a College of Dentistry faculty member, has been instrumental to this partnership.
“Our students get an incredible amount of practical experience caring for dental patients in desperate need of care. Additionally, we are helping to keep underserved patients out of the ER with emergency dental needs,” Dr. Jenkins said. “Every patient we screen and treat gets a referral to an affordable dental home, including the College of Dentistry, where they can seek ongoing care to prevent painful dental problems in the future.”
The College of Dentistry students that are involved agree that the experience is invaluable. Lucas Van Ermen, a third-year dental student, said, “I have been able to become a more confident and proficient dentist while providing care to those who have limited access to it. It’s been fulfilling to use my skills to support our community.”
“The most noteworthy patients are those who have had issues with extractions in the past,” said Young Wang, a fourth-year dental student. “When they come to Clinic with a Heart, they are shown empathy, compassion and competent skills to remove their source of pain. Giving these patients a positive dental experience is rewarding.”
Jon Asbjornson, D.D.S., and Charles Genrich, D.D.S., serve as Clinic with a Heart’s dental co-directors. They believe the partnership creates a special experience for everyone involved.
“This is truly a win-win situation,” Dr. Asbjornson said. “It’s a place where like-minded and like-hearted professionals, dental students and volunteers can serve those in need.”