Penn Dental Medicine Serves Afghan Refugees with Pop-up Clinic
Published : March 31 , 2022
Responding to an urgent need for dental care in their local community , Penn Dental Medicine students and faculty created a pop-up clinic for more than 60 Afghan refugees awaiting permanent placement in the Philadelphia metropolitan area . This effort has been ongoing , with over 150 patient visits having been completed since January 2022 .
Many of these refugees arrived in the United States in August 2021 and their resettlement is being managed by the Philadelphia-based Nationalities Service Center ( NSC ), which supports immigrant and refugee clients with health and wellness services , among other services . Penn Dental Medicine has been partnering with NSC since 2019 when the school established its Vulnerable Populations Dental Care Center , referring patients requiring dental assistance to the center .
The clinic was set up within the residential hotel where the refugees are currently living . Third- and fourth-year Penn DMD students , along with faculty and staff , provided care to more than 60 patients , with future appointments made for another 35 patients and 100 hygiene kits dispensed . Along with dental exams , fluoride varnish was applied to all patients , and over 50 units of silver diamine fluoride were placed and several atraumatic restorative treatment ( ART ) restorations completed . A number of emergent cases were referred to the School ’ s Vulnerable Populations Dental Care Center . In addition to dental care , extensive hygiene and nutritional advice was provided .
As a result of the tremendous need for comprehensive care Penn Dental has established a new clinical care day specifically to serve Afghan refugees . Directed by Dr . Olivia Sheridan , 40 third-year dental students now volunteer to provide comprehensive care one full day every week . Over 150 patient visits have been completed since January 2022 . Penn Dental Dean Dr . Mark Wolff and the Penn administration are deeply committed to these efforts as the Penn Dental community continues to provide much-needed care to its newest neighbors .