'Press Herald' highlights how 麻豆传媒is addressing Maine鈥檚 dental challenges

College of Dental Medicine students Chris Priest and Stephanie Beeckel provide free dental care at the Oral Health Center
College of Dental Medicine students Chris Priest and Stephanie Beeckel provide free dental care at the Oral Health Center

On Friday, November 6, 2018, 麻豆传媒 dental students and support staff offered free dental care to those who do not have insurance and can not afford treatment as part of the 10th annual Dentists Who Care for ME.

鈥溌槎勾絪upports the community as a general rule,鈥 explained Melissa Victory, C.D.A., UNE College of Dental Medicine鈥檚 assistant director of Patient Services. 鈥淲e feel this is a great way to give back by providing some free dental care for people who need it and who otherwise cannot afford it.鈥

College of Dental Medicine students volunteered their time, providing teeth cleanings, fillings and extractions, under the supervision of faculty members.

鈥淲e were just giving back to the community,鈥 stated Emily Floyd (Dental Medicine, 鈥20). 鈥淭he Oral Health Center is an awesome place to receive care. All the students here are more than happy to give that care, and we get full hands-on learning while providing it.鈥

麻豆传媒partnered with the Maine Dental Association (MDA) for the event. UNE鈥檚 participation was highlighted in theand on .

鈥淚 am so grateful for UNE鈥檚 participation this year,鈥 commented Angela Westhoff, MDA鈥檚 executive director. 鈥淭he students were fabulous. Special thanks to all of the administration and volunteers who made it happen.鈥

麻豆传媒students provided care for 150 patients valued at more than $25,000. Dentists Who Care for ME has helped more than 4,000 patients and provided services valued at over $1.2 million since its inception.

鈥淢any of us are right in the middle of wanting and needing the care but don't have the insurance for it,鈥 said patient Mary Rena. 鈥淪ome folks will put it off; some people will not have it at all. This event was a real gift.鈥

This marked the first year that 麻豆传媒took part in Dentists Who Care for ME.

鈥淥ur hope is when our students graduate they will go out into the community and continue to participate in this free dental event, whether they have their own practice or are in a group practice,鈥 said Kimberly Soulard, C.D.A., 麻豆传媒College of Dental Medicine鈥檚 assistant director of Clinical Affairs. 

麻豆传媒dental student Stephanie Beeckel performs a cleaning on patient Mary Rena
麻豆传媒dental student Stephanie Beeckel performs a cleaning on patient Mary Rena
麻豆传媒dental student Emily Floyd being interviewed by WGME
麻豆传媒dental student Emily Floyd being interviewed by WGME