LINCOLN- The University of Nebraska Medical Center sponsors an event each year called the Sharing Clinic, which gives the Southeast Community College dental assisting students an opportunity to volunteer in the community to help those in need of health care.
“Our students participate on a volunteer basis. We ask for a show of hands and participation is usually very high. Generally, it is the entire class volunteering unless there is an outside conflict,” said Amanda Bunman, an instructor for the dental assisting program here at SCC.
The students utilize assisting skills that they have been taught to help those in need during the three-hour clinics. They are able to give back to their community and to those who may be in need of dental care most.
The Sharing Clinic has provided medical care to over 1400 patients per year. Patients who wish to be seen must demonstrate financial need, meeting 100% of the Federal Poverty Line.
The dental assistant is partnered with a dental student and patient. “This is where a win-win situation evolves. Need of dental care meets an opportunity to learn by both dental student and dental assistant,” said Bunman. Procedures vary, but most often, extractions are performed.
The Sharing Clinic strives to enhance the well being of the community by providing high-quality, low cost health care and human services. “I believe this clinic really shows the students the true meaning of how the patient always comes first and how it takes teamwork to perform procedures on each patient,” said Bunman.
For more information about the Dental Assisting program, readers can visit the following link: Dental Assisting