From 2013 to 2020, PDS Foundation volunteers used the MDC to provide dental care at no cost to underserved populations all over the country. The clinic traveled to urban and rural communities, reaching people who could not access or afford care. Over the years, the MDC attended more than 155 events and served more than 5,700 patients, providing over $4 million in donated dental treatments.
On Tues., July 23, PDS Foundation Executive Director Michael Le visited HPU to deliver the MDC’s keys to a group of Workman School of Dental Medicine faculty and staff members. Le highlighted the significance of this donation, stating:
“This donation is an extension of our mission at the PDS Foundation — the Mobile Dental Clinic will provide valuable hands-on learning opportunities while expanding access to quality oral health care. High Point University is the ideal partner, emphasizing the connection between oral health and overall health and focusing on community service. We believe the MDC at HPU will serve as a beacon for both future and current servant- hearted leaders dedicated to expanding access to care. We look forward to seeing the achievements of the students and the entire HPU team.”
North Carolina has a shortage of dentists per capita, especially in rural areas. As the only private dental school in the state, HPU is helping to increase the pipeline of dental professionals and expand access to oral health care to underserved populations. The MDC will give dental students another avenue to gain clinical experience and grow their careers while addressing a critical gap in care.
The PDS Foundation and HPU share a commitment to dental-medical integration and raising awareness about oral health’s connection to overall health. HPU will partner with a medical provider in North Carolina to host community events, offering free dental and medical treatment to vulnerable populations and highlighting the benefit of coordinated care.
“We’re proud to partner with the PDS Foundation to broaden our service to the community and to reach more people,” said Ali Shazib, DMD, Dean and Chief Clinical Officer for the HPU Workman School of Dental Medicine. “The Mobile Dental Clinic is a great opportunity to deliver integrated care to patients with complex needs who often cannot access oral health care. Veterans, the homeless, and other communities need and deserve quality dental care, and this clinic will help fill the gap while providing students with real-world experience to strengthen their careers as oral health providers.”
The Workman School of Dental Medicine will welcome its inaugural class of students this fall.
About Pacific Dental Services Foundation
The Pacific Dental Services® Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to improve overall health through opportunities to serve locally, nationally, and internationally. The PDS Foundation provides tools and resources to help build a lasting and sustainable impact on the communities it serves as well as on the volunteers who freely give their time. The vision of the PDS Foundation is a world where everyone has a heart to serve and a home for oral health. Through its three main programs: special needs dentistry, dental assistant scholarships and international service trips, the PDS Foundation has been able to increase access to oral healthcare for communities across the globe. For more information, visit pdsfoundation.org.
About High Point University
At High Point University, every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people®. HPU, located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, is a liberal arts institution with 6,040 undergraduate and graduate students. U.S. News & World Report has ranked HPU the No. 1 Best Regional College in the South for 11 consecutive years and the No. 1 Most Innovative Regional College in the South for eight consecutive years. The Princeton Review named HPU in “The Best 389 Colleges: 2024 Edition” and among the “Best South” colleges by region list. HPU was also recognized among the Top 20 in the nation for Best-Run Colleges, Best Career Services, Most Beautiful Campus, Most Active Student Government, Best College Dorms and Best Campus Food, as well as a Great School for Business/Finance Majors and a Great School for Communication Majors. For 14 years in a row, HPU has been named a College of Distinction with special recognition for career development, business and education programs. The university has 60 undergraduate majors, 66 undergraduate minors and 18 graduate degree programs. It is a member of the NCAA, Division I and the Big South Conference. Visit High Point University on the web at highpoint.edu.
Above: The Pacific Dental Services Foundation donated its Mobile Dental Clinic to the High Point University Workman School of Dental Medicine on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. Pictured left to right: Dr. Kevin Cain, Senior Associate Dean for Administration and Finance with the Workman School of Dental Medicine, Michael Le, Executive Director, Pacific Dental Services Foundation, Dr. Johanna Tesoniero, Associate Dean for Clinical Operations with the Workman School of Dental Medicine, and Jeffrey Lewallen, Manager of Strategic Initiatives with the Workman School of Dental Medicine.
