Ann Arbor, MI — May 31, 2006 — Dental students from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry will again provide oral health care to migrant workers and their children in northwestern lower Michigan beginning in late June. The annual program begins Monday, June 19, and ends Friday, July 28.

During those six weeks, the dental students will provide free services including cleaning, tooth extractions, and fillings. When necessary, extractions, fillings, and x-rays will also be provided. Dental students will also give children and their parents information about the proper way to care for their teeth, including brushing and flossing, and other actions they can take to improve their oral health. The services will be provided at three schools in the Traverse City area:

• Lakeland Elementary School, 616 Buckley St., Elk Rapids
• Kaleva Community Elementary School, 9208 Kauko Street, Kaleva
• Suttons Bay Elementary School, 310 Elm Street, Suttons Bay

Twenty-four dental students, who begin their fourth year of dental education in late August, will participate in the program. Dr. Robert Bagramian, program director, said those selected "are in the upper level of their class, academically and clinically, and have demonstrated a commitment to serving others." The dental students will work for two-week rotations in groups of eight. They will be supervised by Drs. Rodolfo Diaz and Irma Gavaldon who are working towards their master’s degree. Portable equipment, including dental chairs, drills, air, water, and x-ray machines, will be set up at all locations. Children of the migrant workers will receive dental care during the day at the schools while their parents are working. Adults will receive oral health care in the late afternoon or early evening.

Bagramian said, "last year was another great year with 368 children and adults visiting the three sites." He said the care they received ranged from screenings to x-rays, extractions, and fillings (amalgams and composites).

The summer migrant dental clinic program is funded by the School of Dentistry and Northwest Michigan Health Services. The Michigan Primary Care Association also provides support, including limited funds to pay for housing, transportation, and food for the dental students and their two supervisors.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

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