University of Minnesota's School of Dentistry partners with People's Center Clinics and Services on Outreach

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and People’s Center Clinics & Services in Minneapolis have come together to provide excellence in care and education.

A nationally-recognized community health center delivering high-quality, affordable and culturally relevant care, People’s Center Clinics & Services is a Federally Qualified Health Center that serves approximately 9,000 patients per year for medical, dental and behavioral health needs. The clinics serve patients in South Minneapolis, including a large East African immigrant and refugee population. Their values statement reads, “Improving lives. Transforming Communities. Achieving health equity for everyone.”

The School of Dentistry, in partnership with People’s Center Clinics & Services, has established an Outreach rotation at People’s Center Dental Clinic.  Part of the graduation requirement for all School of Dentistry clinical students, Outreach rotations allow students in the last year of their clinical programs to gain valuable, hands-on experience in the community.

Dentistry students spend six to eight weeks at one of fourteen community care or tribal clinic sites. These experiences reinforce the knowledge of the principles of delivering dental health care, while also providing needed dental services to a variety of patients, including the underserved. Students participate in community dental health education, dental career promotion and interprofessional educational activities.

The School of Dentistry’s partnership with People’s Center Clinics & Services began in May 2024 and includes a five-year agreement.

“This five-year partnership with the University of Minnesota Dental School is a significant contribution to our community and we are honored to join together,” said Ann Rogers, CEO of People’s Center Clinics & Services. “This partnership supports valuable student learning and opens up desperately needed dental access for patients. With aligned missions to improve health, People’s Center Clinics & Services welcomes the U of M dental students, who will provide valuable dental services to our patients. This partnership adds access for urgent dental needs and ongoing preventive and routine care. This is a great service partnership that improves lives in our community.”

Angela Hastings, DMD, clinical associate professor and director of the Division of Community Outreach and Engagement, similarly looks forward to this partnership and what it will bring to the community and the school.

“The School of Dentistry’s Community Outreach and Engagement Division is thrilled to partner with People’s Center Clinics & Services to provide our dental and dental therapy students valuable service-learning experiences during their scheduled clinical rotations,” she said. “With People’s Center Clinics and Services’ mission to deliver affordable health care, inspire hope and promote community wellness, we are confident that our students’ time at the Cedar-Riverside Clinic will deepen their understanding of their social responsibility to provide equitable treatment to all community members.”

Read the original post by University of Minnesota here.