ATLANTA, Michigan—In rural northern Michigan, finding a reliable dentist can be challenging. Becky Klein, returning to Atlanta after years elsewhere, was relieved to discover the Thunder Bay Community Health Service dental clinic, just a short drive from her home. This clinic, part of a network serving six counties, offers a unique program with students from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. These students provide essential dental care, filling a critical gap in areas lacking resources.
Klein was impressed to learn that her sons’ dental care was in the hands of U-M dental students. “I was really impressed with the whole clinic… My boys were happy,” she remarked. The clinic, managed by Dana Arnold, benefits significantly from the interns who work in two-week rotations, seeing about 18 patients daily. Their presence is crucial as the clinic faces a high demand with 48 new patients weekly.
The university’s Community-Based Collaborative Care & Education program places students in various health centers statewide. This initiative has facilitated over 862,000 procedures, valued at nearly $202 million, since 2004. “Without our U of M interns, we honestly would not be able to serve the patients that we do,” said Arnold.
Serving the Community
In Atlanta, known as the “Elk Capital of Michigan,” dental care is scarce. The Thunder Bay clinic operates in a network addressing the critical lack of access, exacerbated by retiring dentists and those not accepting Medicare or Medicaid. Many patients travel long distances for care, making the clinic a vital resource.
The collaboration with U-M provides invaluable experience for interns, exposing them to the realities of working in a federally qualified health center. “I think you have some interns that come into it and they absolutely love it,” Arnold noted, emphasizing the importance of serving the community.
Learning Their Profession and People
At Thunder Bay, interns like Hasan Khaliq, Mitchell Selin, and Joey Wilmot immerse themselves in diverse cases, from extractions to pediatric care. This hands-on experience, combined with high patient interaction, is a critical step before they earn their DDS titles. For patients like Klein, the students’ professionalism is indistinguishable from experienced practitioners.
Khaliq highlighted the learning curve: “You see these 12- and 13-year-old kids with bombed-out teeth,” he said, emphasizing the stark realities faced by rural patients. This program not only benefits the interns but also the community, ensuring more patients receive necessary care.
Selin described the internship as “the highlight of my dental school experience,” while Arnold pointed out the goal is to prevent tooth loss and promote better dental health. Wilmot, on his last day, reflected on the supportive team atmosphere, which he hopes to emulate in his future practice.
Chase McNamara, a former intern, chose to stay after his rotation, now serving as the dental director. “The amount of appreciation people showed was extremely rewarding,” he said, highlighting the impact of the program on both interns and the community.
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