Ann Arbor, MI — February 15, 2011 — Pre-dental students at the University of Michigan are actively promoting the School of Dentistry’s Checkup Clinic.  In mid-January, three undergraduate students were at Mason Hall, a part of the Angell Hall Complex on the Central Campus, passing out toothbrushes and talking to U-M students about the Clinic’s services.  That public awareness session was followed by another in late January at the Horace Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

Located on the third floor of the School of Dentistry building at 1011 N. University Avenue, the Checkup Clinic is geared for U-M students who, because of busy schedules, are unable to return home to visit their family dentist to receive routine oral health care.  Services provided include an examination, routine cleaning, and up to four diagnostic X-rays, all at a reduced fee.  Quality care is provided by a dental or dental hygiene student who is supervised by a faculty dentist.  The Clinic began helping U-M students in the fall of 2009.

“Many students we talked to seemed interested in the Clinic and unaware that these services are available to them,” said Jacob Williams, one of the predental students who participated.  Williams, who is majoring in cellular and molecular biology and German, has applied to the School of Dentistry for admission for classes that begin in July.

Sophomore Danielle Dunne, a biology major, said she participated in the event “because it was a great opportunity to inform many of my classmates about the resources available at the University, especially at the dental school, that they weren’t aware of.”  Dunne said she also plans to apply to the School of Dentistry as her undergraduate education ends.

Another sophomore, Amanjot Sarao, said she enjoys volunteering and saw the activity as an opportunity to meet other pre-dental students.  “I believe we, as predental volunteers, successfully raised awareness of this unique clinic in the dental school.  Most of the students I talked to said it’s very difficult to return home to get a checkup, so this clinic could help them,” she said.

Students go online to the Checkup Clinic Web site, http://healthyteeth.umich.edu, to request an appointment.  They are offered two possible dates and times for an appointment.

“We put ads for the Checkup Clinic on campus buses and notices in student newsletters,” said Dr. Stephen Stefanac, associate dean for Patient Services.  “The initiatives of the predental group provide invaluable connections with students by students.”