Dentistry residents treat Flint-area youth

Updated 11:00 AM November 17, 2003

Endodontics outreach a first of its kind

Dentistry residents treat Flint-area youth

By Jerry Mastey
School of Dentistry

Filling a need by providing oral health care to underserved people in Michigan, graduate students in the School of Dentistry's endodontic program are completing their first month of providing oral health care at Mott Children's Health Center in Flint.

Dr. Sasan Jafari, a resident in the School of Dentistry's graduate endodontic program, examines the teeth of a 15-year-old patient prior to conducting root canal therapy at Mott Children's Hospital in Flint. (Photo by Keary Campbell)

It is the first time graduate students in the endodontics program have provided oral health care outside School of Dentistry clinics in Ann Arbor. Endodontists are dental specialists who treat diseases, infections and injuries that affect tooth roots and nerves (pulp) and surrounding tissues.

Dr. Neville McDonald, chair of the school's endodontics program, says residents primarily are focusing on treating adolescents. "This is a great opportunity for our students, as well as for residents in Flint and surrounding communities who need the specialized help that only an endodontist can provide," he says. The students are treating patients "they typically wouldn't see here in Ann Arbor. In the process, they will obtain a broader set of clinical experiences that will help them after they graduate next summer."

The head of the pediatric dentistry department at Mott Children's Health Center, Dr. Daniel Briskie, applauds the partnership. "This continues a relationship we've had with the U-M School of Dentistry for more than 10 years," he says. "The endodontics initiative will allow us to better serve residents in Flint and Genesee County."

Briskie says that Mott Children's Health Center handled about 150 endodontic cases last year. About one-third of those were trauma cases requiring extensive work.

"This also fills a pressing need," Briskie says, noting that no endodontists in Genesee County accept Medicaid. "The collaboration between Mott Children's Health Center and the School of Dentistry will help fill that need, especially among those least likely to be able to afford this type of oral health care."

Four endodontic students are participating in the program, with one resident providing care during any given week.

Dr. Thomas Veryser, interim assistant dean for Community and Outreach Programs, says this effort complements other outreach initiatives that expanded considerably in March 2000. Dental and dental hygiene students provide oral health care services at many locations throughout Michigan, he says. In addition, residents in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry and General Practice Residency programs also provide oral health care.

Endodontics outreach a first of its kind

Dentistry residents treat Flint-area youth

More Stories