College of Dental Medicine students provide free care to the community
On Friday, November 1, University of New England College of Dental Medicine students and support staff partnered with the Maine Dental Association for Dentists Who Care for ME, a day of free dental care for those without insurance and who can not afford treatment.
“Part of UNE’s mission is to better the health of people in northern New England,” explained Fields Farrior, D.M.D., M.S., associate dean of clinical education and patient care. “Giving back is foundational to that mission.”
UNE dental students volunteered their time, providing teeth cleanings, fillings and extractions, under the supervision of faculty members.
Over the course of the day, 107 patients were served with the total care valued at $18, 864. The event was featured in reports on NEWSCENTER Maine and WGME.
"It's a day to give back to the community,” Meghan McAlary (Dental Medicine, ’22) told WGME. “It's just a wonderful day where we can take care of anyone who walks through."
Dentists Who Care for ME has helped more than 4,000 patients and provided services valued at over $1.3 million since its inception.
“It's a humbling experience for all the student providers,” says Kimberly Soulard, C.D.A., UNE College of Dental Medicine’s assistant director of Clinical Affairs. “When they give free treatment to those in need and then see how grateful the patients are, it’s a great experience for them.”
