Patient Care Engagement

Students, staff and faculty provide dental care to underserved children in Nebraska. Children's Dental Day is expanding to include events in smaller Nebraska communities, such as York and Hastings, held in conjunction with private dental practices.

Pediatric dental residents and faculty utilize telehealth to serve as a resource for school health professionals serving at-risk children in Omaha and Lincoln public schools.

Students and faculty provide preventative dental care services, including dental sealants and fluoride varnish, to underserved children in Nebraska. Since 2002, over 30,000 children have received preventative services.

Dental care is provided to veterans who are not eligible for dental benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The clinic's goal is to address the urgent need for accessible dental services within the veteran community.

At Clinic With a Heart, students provide care to patients who might otherwise go without dental services. Under the supervision of faculty, students deliver compassionate, patient-centered care, gain experience managing complex needs in a resource-limited setting; and learn to communicate clearly and build trust across varied backgrounds. Some students volunteer at Clinic With a Heart nearly every week, deepening both their clinical skills and their commitment to service.

Students help address urgent oral health needs for individuals experiencing homelessness and economic hardship. Experiences include providing screenings, preventive care and urgent treatment and seeing firsthand how oral health impacts overall well-being.; A a dedicated part-time faculty member volunteers regularly at community clinics. These encounters help students understand the broader social context of dentistry and the importance of advocacy, humility and service in their future practices.