Ann Arbor, MI — July 13, 2010 — A group of dental and dental hygiene students from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry will be in Traverse City this month to provide oral health care during the School’s Summer Migrant Dental Clinic program. The program, now in its 37th year, begins Monday, July 12, and ends Friday, July 23.

Eight dental students and two dental hygiene students will provide basic services including screenings, oral exams, cleanings, and oral health care instructions at the Northwest Michigan Health Services clinic, 10767 Traverse Highway in Traverse City. When necessary, extractions, fillings, and X-rays will also be provided. A limited number of appointments are available for patients who qualify for care.

Patients should call the Northwest Michigan Health Services clinic at (231) 947-0351 for appointment information. Clinic hours are listed below.

Clinic Dates & Hours
Monday: July 12 and July 19 (noon to 8:30 p.m.)
Tuesday: July 13 and July 20 (8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
Wednesday: July 14 and July 21 (noon to 8:30 p.m.)
Thursday: July 15 and 22 (noon to 8:30 p.m.)
Friday: July 16 and July 23 (8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

The students will be supervised by several dental school alumni volunteers, including Drs. Bill and Therese Shortt (DDS 1987), Robert Stevenson (DDS 2003), Brittany Mailloux (DDS 2010), and Kevin Kross (DDS 2010). Among the School of Dentistry clinical faculty members who will also supervise the students are Drs. Howard Hamerink (DDS 1976), Heba Abuhussein and Bill Piskorowski, director of outreach and community affairs.

Also participating will be students in the dental assisting program at the Northwest Michigan College in Traverse City. Area dentists have also been invited to observe. “We’re trying to include as many oral health care professionals in the Traverse City area to come and see what we do,” Piskorowski said. “We think this approach has the potential to provide even greater long-term benefits.”

Contact: Sharon Grayden, Communications Director (734) 615-2600, dentistry.communications@umich.edu, or Jerry Mastey, Editor, School of Dentistry (734) 615-1971, jmastey@umich.edu.