UNC Dental Students Garner National Recognition for Service to Community

In October 2005, 45 dental student volunteers along with 22 community dentists and 10 hygienists provided almost $70,000 worth of care to 267 patients at the North Carolina Missions of Mercy Dental Clinic in Burlington, NC. The two-day, thirty-operatory clinic has gained nationwide recognition as a winner of USA Weekend Magazine’s “Make A Difference Day” Competition and will be featured in the April 23rd edition.

The dental student volunteers are members of ENNEAD, UNC’s dental volunteer society. Consisting of DDS, DH, and DA students, ENNEAD provides students with opportunities to volunteer at community health fairs, elementary schools, and mobile dental clinics. Working with the Open Door Dental Clinic of Alamance executive director and Missions of Mercy (MOM) president, Dr. Steven Slott of Burlington, ENNEAD members are able to travel the state to provide care to the underserved and gain practical clinical skills.

So far this year, there have been MOM clinics in Mount Airy and Siler City. Upcoming North Carolina MOM projects include:

• Boone/Foscoe, March 31-April 1

• Murphy/Hayesville, April 7-8

• Wilmington, April 28-29

• Saxapahaw, July 15

• Washington, July 21-22

• Sylva, Sept. 22-23

• Burlington, October TBD

For more details on the program or to volunteer for the North Carolina clinics as a licensed DDS, DA, or DH, visit www.alamanceopendoordental.net. Students at the School of Dentistry interested in volunteering with ENNEAD should contact Kim Hammersmith (DDS 08) at kjhammer@email.unc.edu.