Outreach Initiatives
Bay Cliff Health Camp
For one week in August, select third and fourth year dental students to travel to Bay Cliff Health Camp in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to provide dental services to adults with special needs. Under supervision of faculty, students gain experience in providing treatment to patients with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Give Kids A Smile
In efforts to combat chronic childhood caries, the American Dental Association’s Give Kids A Smile® (GKAS) program provides free oral health services to low-income families across the nation each February. Each year, Detroit Mercy Dental faculty, students and staff contribute a day as volunteers, providing care and educating families on the importance of oral health.
Mack and Third
KEM’s Mack and Third biennial event targets the homeless population in Detroit. Detroit Mercy Dental faculty and students provide oral health screenings, oral cancer exams and oral hygiene instruction. In addition to providing health education and medical services, the event also collects canned goods for local shelters and food banks.
Men’s Health Event
Since 2011, Detroit Mercy Dental has participated in The Michigan Institute of Urology's Men’s Health Event, an event that facilitates an an opportunity for men in the community to be educated on how to live a healthy life. Under the supervision of residents, faculty, Detroit Mercy dental and hygiene students provide oral cancer screenings to attendees at no cost. Additionally, students educate patrons of the harmful effects of tobacco products relative to oral cancer.
Mouth Guard Clinics
On several occasions throughout the year, Detroit Mercy Dental AEGD Residents and dental student organizations collaborate with with community partners to provide free, custom mouth guards to the Downtown Boxing Gym youth program in Detroit. This program has also previously provided similar services to Academy of the Americas, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Highland Park Community High School, Holy Redeemer Grade School and University Preparatory Science and Math Elementary.
Special Needs Clinic
Detroit Mercy Dental and community partners Jewish Vocational Services(JVS), Tricounty Dental and Community Living Services, created a Special Needs Dental Clinic in Corktown. This clinic accomplishes two goals; to provide important and necessary care to special needs adults and to offer unique opportunities for dental students, fostering competent providers who are able to work with patients who have disabilities.
Student-Run Dental Centers
Student volunteers provide free dental care to underserved adults at St. Vincent DePaul-Detroit and HUDA Clinic. All logistics are handled by students, including administrative and clinical duties. These projects increase access to oral health care, reduce oral health disparities, and teach students awareness of needs in surrounding communities. Each of these student-run dental centers is in partnership with a respective student organization and adjunct faculty.