WCC opens dental clinic for the winter

U of M dental student, Sarah Waqhar (left), and WCC dental assisting student, Megan Martell (right), work on a patient. Sara Faraj | Washtenaw Voice

Matthew Bartow
Contributor

Washtenaw Community College opened a dental clinic on Feb 5., which offers low-cost dental treatment to community members during the winter semester.

Services are provided by third-year University of Michigan dental students practicing alongside WCC dental assisting students, according to WCC dental instructor Jodi Neuman, who oversees the clinic.

The clinic had 15 patients on its opening day, said Neuman.

Treatments performed at the clinic are supervised by dentists licensed by the Michigan Board of Dentistry. The role rotates between six local dentists, said Dr. Robert Stevenson, a dentist with a private practice in Ann Arbor, who also serves as one of supervising dentists in the clinic.

Sarah Waqhar, a university dental student, said that the setup of the clinic is beneficial for both patients, dental students, and dental assisting students.

“It’s a win-win situation,” Waqhar said. “It is affordable for members of the community who may not have insurance, and the students get great practice being under a dentist.”

The WCC clinic has existed nearly 30 years and the services are available for students, staff, faculty and community members, Neuman said.

Neuman said the clinic is an excellent opportunity for patients to save money. X-ray costs average about $150 at most private practices, while at the clinic it’s $15.

WCC dental assisting students work in the clinic as part of the college’s dental assisting program. The program is a year long. Afterwards, students receive a certificate of completion, and have the option to take the Certified Dental Assistant (CDA) examination, said Ayana Burton, a student in the program.

Along with Burton, Brittany Cobb, also a WCC dental assisting student, agreed that besides preparing students for the CDA exam, the clinic gives valuable experience.

The dental clinic provides real-life experience for the training students. Sara Faraj | Washtenaw Voice

“They teach us straight up,” Cobb said. “It’s hands-on, instant practice.”

“The lab experience provides a substantial amount of knowledge into the dental field,” Burton said. “It has been an eye-opener into the career I’m choosing.”

Taylor McGovern, a university dental student, said that her favorite part of working in the dental field is interacting with patients on a daily basis.

“Working with people and seeing patients would be my favorite part of working in the dental field,” McGovern said. “I like establishing great relationships with patients that I don’t just see once.”

Appointments are now available. Patients must be at least 18 years old. Insurance is not accepted and cash-only payments are due at the time of service. Call 734-973-3332 to set up an appointment or to find out more information about the clinic.

The clinic is open Tue and Thu from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Thu, Apr. 18, and is located in Room 106 of the Occupational Education building on campus.

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