NWTC Service-Learning and Civic Engagement 2017-2018 | Page 32

I M P R O V I N G H E A LT H
HEALTH SERVICES
NWTC Dental Clinic
Celebrating 25 years of making
people smile in Northeast Wisconsin
The N.E.W Uninsured Restorative
Clinic at NWTC is celebrating 25
years of making people smile in
northeast Wisconsin. The clinic
started in 1993 with the idea of
providing free dental services and
procedures to those who did not
have access to dental insurance.
Treatments are performed by
NWTC Dental Assistant and Dental
Hygienist program students and
area dentists who volunteer their
time. The clinic provides preventive
services such as cleaning and
sealants, restorative services such
as extractions and fillings, and also
preventive and restorative services
for children in Brown County
through the Brown County Oral
Health Partnership.
“Most of our patients are
hardworking people who earn too
much to qualify for badger care
but not enough to pay for needs
beyond basic living expenses,”
said NWTC Dental Assistant
faculty member Laurie Fischer.
“Dental pain is debilitating and has
a direct impact on these patients’
ability to work or attend school.”
She added, “It’s hard to describe
the gratitude of our patients. Many
haven’t shown their teeth while
smiling for years. When we hold the
mirror up to show them the results,
their reactionis priceless.”
The clinic is open on Tuesdays
during the academic year,
providing treatments which
include: extractions, restorations
and partial and complete dentures.
In 2017, NWTC students and
volunteer dentists cared for
126 dental patients.
According to Dental Assistant
student, Emily Melichar, “The
program really gives you the
opportunity of having hands-on
experience before you go out into
the field.”
Over the course of 25 years,
the clinic says it has treated more
than 2,000 patients, with patients
being referred to the dental
clinic at NWTC from the N.E.W.
Community Clinic.
“The program has been a win–
win for the NWTC students and
the low income uninsured dental
patients in our community,” said
Bonnie Kuhr, CEO/administrator
N.E.W Community Clinic.
“The students are able to
have hands on experience and
the uninsured patients are
able to receive the care they
desperately need.”
United Way of Brown County
helps fund the program through
the N.E.W. Community Clinic to
pay for the supplies needed
for the program.
The students are able to
have hands on experience
and the uninsured patients
are able to receive the care
they desperately need.
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- Bonnie Kuhr