Ann Arbor Times

Becky Klein was seeking dental services for herself and her sons in Atlanta, Michigan, when she discovered the Thunder Bay Community Health Service dental clinic. Notably, she found her treatment satisfactory and learned that the service was provided by University of Michigan School of Dentistry students. “I was really impressed with the whole clinic... The appointment worked out like any other dental experience. And my boys were happy,” stated Klein.

Under a contract with the University of Michigan (U-M), three interns participate in two-week rotations, assisting in meeting the dental needs of local residents. Dana Arnold, the dental operations manager at Thunder Bay Community Health Service, emphasized their importance by saying, “Without our U of M interns, we honestly would not be able to serve the patients that we do.”

The dental clinic is part of a network serving several counties, and the presence of U-M dental interns offers valuable experience for students and care for underserved communities. Between 2004 and 2024, U-M dental students have performed thousands of procedures valued at nearly $202 million. However, the region suffers from a shortage of dentists, with many retiring and some opting out of Medicare or Medicaid, as highlighted by Arnold.

The interns, including Hasan Khaliq, Mitchell Selin, and Joey Wilmot, who are close to completing their dentistry degree, handle a range of cases daily. Khaliq observed the significant lack of dental care in the area, expressing concern over the condition of patients’ dental health. Their internship provides them with an opportunity to gain real-world experience. “Definitely this rotation at Thunder Bay has been one of the highlights of my fourth year in dental school,” noted Khaliq.

The program offers dual benefits: residents receive affordable care, and students gain substantial career-related experience. Selin remarked that the internship was “the highlight of my dental school experience. It’s really the first time we’ve been exposed to the real world.”

Arnold remarked, “This is real life. They're seeing the harder side of dental and that is their chance to make a difference.” The clinic environment, teamwork, and decision-making involved leave lasting impressions on the interns, influencing their future career paths.

Chase McNamara, a former intern who stayed on to become the dental director at Thunder Bay Community Health Service, reflected on the impact. “Looking at private practices it felt more like I was just a cog in the machine... I realized if I wasn't the one helping people then they weren't going to be seen."

The University of Michigan’s initiative continues to play a crucial role in bridging the gap in dental care availability while providing an educational advantage to its students.