UAA dental programs partner with local organizations to offer free dental care to Anchorage community

Last month, UAA's dental programs partnered with the United Way of Anchorage, Alaska State Dental Hygienists' Association and the Alaska Dental Coalition to offer free dental services at the first ever Dental Days at UAA event on Dec. 2-3, 2011.

Patients were selected by a lottery system to allow individuals equal access to treatment. Dental services included exams, radiographs, cleanings, sealants, restorative treatment (amalgams and composite restorations) and limited extractions.

Community dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and administrative staff--along with UAA dental hygiene and dental assistant students, faculty and staff--volunteered their skills and time to provide services to the Anchorage community. This collaborative event also allowed students an opportunity to provide treatment utilizing skills they are learning during their education and to participate in a humanitarian project.

Over 140 patients were provided treatment and nearly $75,000 in services were donated for this event. Event organizers plan to make this a semi-annual event to provide access to care for disadvantaged residents of the Anchorage community.

Save the date for the next Dental Days at UAA event on March 30-31, 2012. For more information, contact Robin Wahto, director of UAA's School of Allied Health, at (907) 786-6932 or rjwahto@uaa.alaska.edu.