School of Dentistry expands outreach with East Side Family Clinic
School of Dentistry Adds New Outreach Site: Partnership Enhances Access to Affordable Dental Care for St. Paul Community
The School of Dentistry has expanded its off-campus service-learning sites through a new strategic partnership with the East Side Family Dental Clinic [LINK] in St. Paul. The move is sure to put smiles on faces, young and old.
Senior dental students now provide comprehensive dental care for children and adults at the newly constructed East Side Family Clinic, operated by West Side Community Health Services (WSCHS). All services are provided under the supervision of Dr. Michael Mrosak, dental faculty member at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
The newly constructed East Side Family Clinic, operated by West Side Community Health Services (WSCHS), opened in May of 2013, and initially provided only medical and pharmacy services although the facility includes significant dental space. The dental space only recently became operational when existing dental staff moved into the East Side Family Clinic during November of 2013. The goal for the new facility has always been to significantly increase dental services. This goal has been realized now that students and faculty from the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry have joined the East Side Family Clinic dental staff in providing affordable and accessible dental care to community members.
“The School of Dentistry has a strong commitment to community outreach,” says Paul Schulz [LINK TO BIO], director of the dental school’s Outreach Program [LINK]. “Our students spend six to 11 weeks treating patients under faculty supervision at one or more of 10 off-campus clinics located in underserved communities throughout the state.” School of Dentistry Outreach sites also exist in Howard, S.D., and at Indian Health Service/tribal clinics in Belcourt, N.D., and Wolf Point, Mont. Says Schulz, “The expansion of services to patients of the East Side Family Clinic is an opportunity to provide much-needed dental care to the clinic’s patients and a service-learning experience for students.”
“Oral health is an integral part of overall health,” said Dr. Brad McDonnell, dental director of West Side Community Health Services. “We expect that, as word gets out, we’ll be able to serve many new patients. Our partnership with the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry will enhance our ability to serve the unmet dental needs of East Side residents.”
The East Side Family Clinic dental features includes:
20 state-of-the-art dental operatories;
- Dental services for children and adults, with a focus on pediatric preventive and restorative dental care;
- English, Spanish and Hmong-speaking staff and interpreters;
- On-site pharmacy, convenient scheduling and handicap accessibility;
- Assistance with many types of insurance for patients of all ages, and a sliding fee scale option.
As a community-based and patient-directed organization, West Side Community Health Services serves the integrated dental, medical and mental health needs of more than 11,000 patients through the new East Side Family Clinic. West Side Community Health Services (WSCHS) has delivered quality, affordable health care to the community since 1972. Its mission is: Strengthening the well-being of our community through health care for all. *
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, the state’s only dental school, improves oral and craniofacial health by educating clinicians and scientists who translate knowledge and experience into clinical practice.