Nine UNMC College of Dentistry students joined clinical faculty member Jon Asbjornson, DDS, for the third annual Steve Uetrecht Extraction Clinic, held July 18 at People’s City Mission in Lincoln.
The late Uetrecht was a previous director of the clinic, a man Dr. Asbjornson and UNMC College of Dentistry faculty and students worked with extensively during his term as clinic director.
“Steve had a great heart,” Dr. Asbjornson said.
The one-day clinic, which saw 36 patients during the event, is a great experience for dental students, Dr. Asbjornson said.
“It’s an extraction clinic, so we see a lot of people in pain,” he said. “It’s a great learning environment for our students, and I like the fact that you diagnose, triage and treat, so you’re helping immediately with the pain.”
Dr. Asbjornson and the UNMC dental students were joined by UNMC dentistry faculty members Robin Hattervig, DDS, and Tim Jacobs, DDS, as well as a pre-dental student, a local dental assistant and other volunteer dentists, including UNMC alumna Kate Asbjornson, DDS, and Nebraska Dental Health Director Charles “Fritz” Craft, DDS.
Dean Gerard Kugel, DMD, PhD, said participation in the Steve Uetrecht Extraction Clinic represents the very best of the UNMC College of Dentistry.
“I am incredibly proud of our students, faculty and volunteers, who generously give their time and expertise to care for members of our community in need,” Dr. Kugel said. “I want to especially thank our faculty volunteers, whose dedication to service and mentorship provides an outstanding example for our students every day. Together, they are continuing Steve Uetrecht’s remarkable legacy of compassion while making an immediate and meaningful difference in the lives of patients. This event exemplifies our mission to improve the oral health of Nebraskans through service, education and excellence.”
Dental student Grace Boski called the experience insightful and enriching.
“The patients we helped were hesitant to see us, but they knew they needed dental care,” she said. “Sometimes you come into experiences like these thinking you are the one helping others; however, you leave learning they help you. Helping underserved communities teaches you empathy, patience and communication.”
Boski said she was grateful to the patients she served because of what she learned from them.
“Volunteering at events like this is important to me because I can provide excellent care to people who may not always receive it,” she said. “As someone who works in the medical field, I believe it is my duty to serve the people in my community. If I can do that by spending a few hours on a weekend, I am doing my job right. It does not matter where you come from or where you are at; everyone deserves excellent dental care that will improve their health.”
That philosophy encapsulated Steve Uetrecht, Dr. Asbjornson said. “Steve helped a lot of people,” he said. “We are carrying that tradition on in his name.”