Westward Expansion: A New Rural Dental Clinic Offers Students Learning Opportunities And Offers Patients Much-Needed Care

An article found in the Spring 2008 Edition of: M: A quarterly publication for all University of Minnesota alumni, friends, faculty, and staff

For more information on the Rice Regional Dental Clinic and Southern MN AHEC, please contact Kathy Huntley, Executive Director of Southern MN AHEC.

Excerpt:
The School of Dentistry's well-established outreach program is now stretching even further--to west central Minnesota. Responding to the challenges rural communities face when recruiting health care professionals and the increasing number of outstate residents in need of affordable dental care, the School of Dentistry is sending students to treat patients at a new 10-chair clinic in Willmar, Minnesota.

After more than two years of planning and raising $2.1 million in public and private support, including $450,000 from Delta Dental of Minnesota to support service-learning opportunities, the Rice Regional Dental Clinic started taking patients in December. This community-based clinic is a collaboration between the School of Dentistry and Rice Memorial Hospital, and serves a 12-county area. Located in and owned by the hospital, the clinic gives the U's dental and hygiene students a chance to enhance their clinical skills while treating patients with diverse oral health needs.

Filling the need: Dental students help fill need for dentist in rural Minnesota

An article in the April 3, 2008 issue of University of Minnesota eNews

For more information on the Rice Regional Dental Clinic and Southern MN AHEC, please contact Kathy Huntley, Executive Director of Southern MN AHEC.

Excerpt:
On its first day of operation, patients filled the 10 chairs of the Rice Regional Dental Clinic in Willmar, Minn. The clinic, a collaboration between the School of Dentistry and Rice Memorial Hospital, is the newest community-based learning site for the school. While the clinic is open to all patients, its mission is to serve low-income and uninsured patients who often are unable to access or afford dental care. The federal government has designated the 12-county area surrounding Willmar as one that is underserved by dentists as well as other health care professionals.