WHAT: UNLV School of Dental Medicine faculty and students will host three clinics to treat local children, veterans as well as women referred by Shade Tree Shelter. The clinics are designed for people who do not qualify for Medicaid or are uninsured. The event also provides UNLV dental residents with clinical experience. It is unknown when or if future clinics will be held.
Eds: Please do not advertise these clinics as being open to walk-in clients. Patients for these clinics have been pre-registered to receive dental care. Media wishing to cover the event should check in at the front desk. Please call Afsha Bawany, (702) 510-4628, if planning to attend.
WHEN: Saturday, March 28, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
WHERE: UNLV School of Dental Medicine
1001 Shadow Lane Campus (corner of Charleston Blvd. and Shadow Lane)
DETAILS:Patients at the clinic receive exams, x-rays, cleanings, extractions, and fillings. Please see the attached fact sheet for more information. For information on registering for future clinics, the public may call the UNLV School of Dental Medicine at (702) 774-2400.
UNLV School of Dental Medicine - At a Glance
Mission
UNLV School of Dental Medicine: to be a driving force toward improving the health of Nevada citizens; to provide excellence in patient-centered clinical care, patient education and statewide community outreach programs; to implement a curriculum that integrates biomedical sciences, professional studies and clinical sciences to ensure students are receiving knowledge of the most recent developments in their fields of study.
Fast Facts
o The dental school offers an accredited four-year, full-time doctor of dental medicine (DMD) program.
o Curriculum includes biomedical and oral health sciences, competency in dental practice, clinical and professional studies, public health and externships, oral health promotion, oral cancer prevention.
o A 30 to 36-month master's degree in oral biology and a certificate program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics is offered.
o A 24-month graduate certificate program in pediatric dentistry is offered.
o The Shadow Lane campus houses a 150,000-square-foot state-of-the-art dental education complex comprised of 205 dental chairs, digital radiography facilities, pediatric, oral surgery and emergency clinics (including Nevada's only wheelchair lift for dental treatment); clinical simulation laboratory, classrooms, research facilities and office space.
Timeline
o 2002 - The first class of dental students begins DMD program on the Maryland Parkway campus.
o 2004 - The Shadow Lane Campus and state-of-the-art clinical facilities open.
o 2006 - The first class of six dental students graduates.
o 2007 - Dean Karen P. West joins the dental school, and the first class of orthodontic residents graduate.
o 2009 - The General Practice Residency program transfers from University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine to UNLV School of Dental Medicine.
Students and faculty
o 2,655 applicants for 75 seats in the DMD program for fall 2009.
o 82 students accepted into the dental school program in fall 2008.
o 74 students in the 2009 graduating class.
o 53 full-time academic faculty members; 52 part-time academic faculty members.
o One in four applicants in the U.S. who apply to dental school applies to the UNLV dental school.
Community Service, 2007 to 2008
o 37,000 patient appointments at the Shadow Lane Clinic.
o 17,000 patient appointments at the Enterprise Clinic.
o 10, 984 toothpaste and toothbrush kits given to children and adults.
o 8, 113 oral health education presentations given to children and adults.
o 2, 871 oral health screenings provided to children and adults at community outreach activities.
o 499 fluoride varnish applications completed for children and adults.
UNLV School of Dental Medicine
Community service
The UNLV School of Dental Medicine (SDM) has a commitment to serving the community and educating the public about the importance of dental care. Faculty and student dentists have treated thousands of patients who cannot afford the cost of dental care or are ineligible for Medicaid. Patients at the SDM clinics receive comprehensive care including exams, x-rays, cleanings, extractions and fillings at reduced rates. The Shadow Lane and Enterprise Clinics are located in areas that are defined as underserved by the state and federal government.
Per the 2006 Nevada Burden of Oral Disease published by the Nevada State Health Division:
o 6,431 patients were seen in Nevada's hospital emergency rooms for acute dental problems, who would have been more appropriately treated in a dental office or clinic. The estimated cost of these hospital treatments was close to $4 million.
o 54 percent of children ages 2-4 have untreated cavities (vs. 23 percent of U.S. population)
o 71 percent of children ages 6-8 have untreated cavities (vs. 50 percent of U.S. population)
o 61 percent of 15-year-olds have untreated cavities (vs. 59 percent of U.S. population)
o Clark and Washoe counties are among the 17 Nevada counties with "health professionals shortage," which includes dentists.
o The use of tobacco products is increasing in Nevada, and significantly increases the risk for oral cancer.
o The estimated dentist-to-population ratio in Nevada is 53.8 per 100,000 population,
below the national average of 63.2 dentists per 100,000 population.
Clinics Operated by the UNLV School of Dental Medicine
Shadow Lane Clinic
o Fees are approximately one-third to one-half the cost charged by a private practice dentist.
o Dental school faculty and student dentists provided dental care at 37,000 patient appointments from 2007 to 2008.
o Approximately 15 percent of patients were under the age of 20; 27 percent of patients were over the age of 50.
o The median yearly household income of all patients was approximately $35,000 in 2008.
Enterprise Clinic
o Dental care available at a sliding-fee scale for patients based upon their economic conditions.
o Dental school faculty and student dentists provided dental care for more than 17,000 patient appointments from 2007 to 2008.
o From 2007 to 2008, 41 percent of patients were under the age of 20; 27 percent were 50 or older.
Shadow Lane Campus Specialty Clinics
o Faculty and residents provide specialty care in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry.
o Starting in July 2009, faculty and residents in the dental residency program will provide advanced comprehensive care services.
Saturday Children's Clinic
o Founded in Oct. 2007 by student dentists: Aaron Bjarnson, Nathan Hawley, Ashley Hoban and Kevin Olson.
o The clinic provides dental care to children ages five to 12.
o Patients referred by Southern Nevada Dental Society and the Clark County School District.
o Faculty and student dentists have volunteered more than 1,000 hours to treat children.
o The clinic has provided care at more than 240 patient appointments.
The Sergeant Clint Ferrin Memorial Clinic
o Named for Sgt. Clint Ferrin, who died in March of 2004 while serving in Iraq as a member of the 82nd Army Airborne Division from North Carolina.
o Clint Ferrin's brother, UNLV dental student John Ferrin, a second lieutenant in the National Guard, saw a need to provide dental care for Nevada Army National Guard soldiers who were not eligible for deployment because of dental disease and could not afford the cost of treatment or private dental insurance.
o The clinic began July 2008 for soldiers of the Nevada Army National Guard and was expanded to treat all veterans of war.
o As of March 2009, 53 soldiers have received dental care and 50 people are on a waiting list.
o To qualify for the free clinic, veterans must present military identification stating veterans' status, have no dental insurance and bring documentation that shows a household income of less than $40,000.
Smiles for Success Clinic
o Started in 2006 by the local student chapter of the American Association of Women Dentists, this annual clinic provides dental care for women who have acute dental needs and are unable to afford the cost of dental care.
o Women referred by Shade Tree Shelter receive exams, cleanings, fillings and extractions.
o In some cases, these treatments help women prepare for job interviews.
UNLV 1/Day Program Homeless Treatment Clinic
o Partnership between the Huntridge Teen Clinic, Clark County's Project Homeless Connect and the Community Coalition for Oral Health's 1/Day program.
o Dental students and faculty help treat homeless patients at no cost on a monthly basis at the Huntridge Teen Clinic on Maryland Parkway.
o One hundred patients have been seen by students and faculty.
