Mobile Dental Clinic brings care, conversation to Open Streets

The Mobile Dental Clinic recently participated in community engagement efforts at Open Streets North Minneapolis. 

An effort to engage neighbors and experience a car-free neighborhood, Open Streets transforms a major street or business district into a pedestrian walkway and street fair for one day. Events are held throughout the city and encourage people to explore their neighborhood in a new way. 

The Mobile Dental Clinic’s participation in the event came thanks to an invitation from Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD, who joined in on the event as well. “The School of Dentistry's MDent 2025 strategic plan had a goal to improve our community engagement, and North Minneapolis is certainly an area that can enrich our connections,” Mays explained. “The Open Street event is a longstanding tradition in North Minneapolis, and it gives us a great opportunity to connect with the community and promote oral health. Having our Mobile Dental Clinic participate in Open Streets is a small example of our commitment to the Minneapolis-St. Paul community and an awesome opportunity to meet people where they are.” 

Owned by UCare and operated by the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, the Mobile Dental Clinic provides primary and preventative dental care services to pediatric, adult and senior populations, as well as patients with special needs. The clinic supports and assists UCare members in finding a dental home. The 43-foot, wheelchair accessible space is entirely mobile and features three dental chairs. It regularly visits fifteen sites throughout Minnesota and functions as an Outreach opportunity for dental, dental therapy and dental hygiene students. 

At Open Streets, Mobile Dental Clinic faculty dentist Jigna Mahapatra, DMD, and student volunteers applied fluoride varnishes, provided simple oral examinations and shared information about the clinic. 

Mahapatra appreciated the opportunity to engage with the community first-hand, rather than waiting for patients to come to her. “The biggest thing we can do is be there for the community,” she explained. “Life happens, and obstacles get in the way of going to the dentist—so if we can be right there, it alleviates the pressure.” 

She was especially excited to be able to show children what an operatory looks like “in a non-intimidating way,” which can help alleviate fear and anxiety. In fact, she recalled one child who was so excited to receive an oral examination that he dragged his grandmother to the bus. Mahapatra, of course, encouraged him to consider dentistry as a career. 

“Small moments like that can make a big impact,” she said. 

The students who participated in the event on a Saturday morning found the experience enlightening and inspiring, too. 

Yu Sun, DDS ’27, loves to volunteer. “It’s rewarding to offer help and deliver care to people who may not otherwise receive it,” she said. “Volunteering with the Mobile Dental Clinic at Open Streets gave me the chance to share preventative advice, provide screenings and connect people with resources, while also learning how to communicate effectively with diverse groups.” 

The experience was impactful for Sun. “I was reminded how much of an impact a simple oral screening can have—confirming concerns, sharing resources and helping those new to the community to find a dental home,” she said. “What stayed with me was how grateful people were to have someone look at their teeth and answer questions. Even small conversations can reduce fear and encourage care.” 

Overall, the experience solidified what Sun knows about the importance of Outreach and about her goals as a provider. 

“These experiences remind me that dentistry is ultimately about people, not just procedures,” she said. “Volunteering at Open Streets reinforced that access matters. I want to bring specialized care to underserved populations and keep public health at the forefront of everything I do.