Mobile Dental Clinic named Clinical Training Site of Excellence

The Office of Academic Clinical Affairs has announced that the Mobile Dental Clinic was recognized as a 2024 Clinical Training Site of Excellence, an award that recognizes clinical partners for their excellent support of health sciences learners. The clinic also received this honor in 2020.

Michael Henderson, DDS, director of the clinic, says that it focuses on removing barriers that patients experience when accessing dental care. “We’re aiming to deliver innovative outreach education while providing high-quality dental care to underserved communities,” he said. “We hope to unite students, patients and communities to increase social connections, while guiding students to become well-rounded, community-oriented professionals.” The procedures offered are mainly preventative, along with restorative and extraction procedures. There are nine clinic staff, and Henderson is the main faculty member providing oversight to students.

The clinic rotates through 15 sites throughout Minnesota. “One week we may be in North Minneapolis, serving a population that has an environment and challenges that are vastly different than those we see in North Mankato, which is where we might be the next week,” Henderson said.

The numbers show how successful this venture has been, according to Angela Hastings, DMD, director of the Division of Community Outreach and Engagement. “In 2024, more than 3,600 procedures were completed by our students across the state. The patients seen in our Mobile Dental Clinic may not have otherwise been able to receive this care, as many of our rural communities face one- to two-year wait lists at nearby dental clinics or have to drive 200+ miles to find a dentist in their insurance network.”

For students, Hastings noted, “it’s powerful for ourstudent providers to gain an immersive experience in learning how to effectively bring dentistry to communities.” Henderson agreed, saying, “With such a unique setup, students have to be flexible and adapt to the ever changing environment of patient care. Successfully working in healthcare requires flexibility, and the clinic forces them to hone this skillset. Students are also exposed to various communities and social determinants of health unique to that community. This raises awareness on how to best provide care to that specific community, culture and environment. And they must learn to work in a team-oriented environment to provide care efficiently.”

Hastings has some very personal reasons to support the clinic’s work: “I know at least one family friend who receives annual care from our Mobile Dental Clinic, and I know they’re receiving high quality dental treatment,” she said. “I’m proud that our work has an impact in both our greater Minnesota community and in my own personal social network.”

Patient experience is at the heart of the clinic, and, on that note, Henderson shared this thought: “From first-hand experience, I can say that most patients express how grateful they are that our clinic comes to their community, as there often isn’t a dental clinic that accepts their insurance. If there is a dental clinic that does accept their insurance, it’s a year or more waiting list to get in.“

Finally, he shared this quote from a patient, one that demonstrates why the clinic has received the Clinical Training Site of Excellence honor: “I feel everybody was welcoming and friendly. Even with my anxiety, everyone made me feel comfortable and alleviated that for me.”