The Mobile Dental Clinic will be used by students at the Workman School of Dental Medicine to provide care to under-served populations in North Carolina.
IRVINE, CALIF. July 30, 2024 – The Pacific Dental Services® (PDS) Foundation is excited to announce the donation of its Mobile Dental Clinic to the High Point University (HPU) Workman School of Dental Medicine. The Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC), a fully equipped RV with two dental chairs, will enable HPU students to apply their classroom learning in real-world settings, delivering quality oral health care to individuals who otherwise struggle to access it. This donation aims to enhance students’ community service activities and hands-on learning opportunities.
From 2013 to 2020, PDS Foundation volunteers used the MDC to provide dental care at no cost to underserved populations all over the country. The clinic traveled to urban and rural communities, reaching people who could not access or afford care. Over the years, the MDC attended more than 155 events and served more than 5,700 patients, providing over $4 million in donated dental treatments.
On Tues., July 23, PDS Foundation Executive Director Michael Le visited HPU to deliver the MDC’s keys to a group of Workman School of Dental Medicine faculty and staff members. Le highlighted the significance of this donation, stating:
“This donation is an extension of our mission at the PDS Foundation – the Mobile Dental Clinic will provide valuable hands-on learning opportunities while expanding access to quality oral health care. High Point University is the ideal partner, emphasizing the connection between oral health and overall health and focusing on community service. We believe the MDC at HPU will serve as a beacon for both future and current servant-hearted leaders dedicated to expanding access to care. We look forward to seeing the achievements of the students and the entire HPU team.”
North Carolina has a shortage of dentists per capita, especially in rural areas. As the only private dental school in the state, HPU is helping to increase the pipeline of dental professionals and expand access to oral health care to underserved populations. The MDC will give dental students another avenue to gain clinical experience and grow their careers while addressing a critical gap in care.
The PDS Foundation and HPU share a commitment to dental-medical integration and raising awareness about oral health’s connection to overall health. HPU will partner with a medical provider in North Carolina to host community events, offering free dental and medical treatment to vulnerable populations and highlighting the benefit of coordinated care.
“We’re proud to partner with the PDS Foundation to broaden our service to the community and to reach more people,” said Ali Shazib, DMD, Dean and Chief Clinical Officer for the HPU Workman School of Dental Medicine. “The Mobile Dental Clinic is a great opportunity to deliver integrated care to patients with complex needs who often cannot access oral health care. Veterans, the homeless, and other communities need and deserve quality dental care, and this clinic will help fill the gap while providing students with real-world experience to strengthen their careers as oral health providers.”
The Workman School of Dental Medicine will welcome its inaugural class of students this fall.
