The University of Alberta, School of Dentistry, recently led a fund raising campaign to update the existing Oral Health Services Clinic at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital with new equipment, and to expand the clinic capacity from four dated operatories to eight new operatories.
The newly expanded Glenrose Dental Clinic is now operational. A grand opening celebration was held on October 18, to thank the partners and donors for their generous contributions. Donors were treated to a sneak peek of the expanded treatment rooms and new equipment.
The Glenrose Dental Clinic is a facility that the school and all of its affiliates can be proud of. Serving a segment of the population who would otherwise have difficulty accessing treatment, is one of many ways in which the school gives back to the community.
Not only does the expanded clinic provide unique access to dental care for older adults with mobility challenges, but it also provides dentistry and dental hygiene students with an increased opportunity for hands-on learning through the Student Enhanced clinics. Students represent the health system's investment in the future, and the clinic aims to provide students with the skills and experience to serve vulnerable populations.
The clients utilizing the dental services at the Glenrose clinic are often medically compromised and at a high risk for dental complications. This allows the students to apply the knowledge they have acquired in many of their courses.
"Our experiences during the rotations at the Glenrose Dental Clinic were nothing short of eye-opening," says Nadia Kobagi, 2012 BSc dental hygiene graduate. "These rotations allowed us to interact and work on clients who we would not normally have the opportunity to see at the School of Dentistry clinic."
"The Glenrose rotation is a valuable experience as it introduces students to a patient demographic that they typically don't see," says Blair, senior dental student. "Long-term care and special needs patients seen in the hospital setting require different dental care and delivery. By experiencing this you gain an appreciation for the needs of this hidden demographic, and it makes you better suited to provide quality care after dental school."
As the population of older adults is greatly increasing, it is critical for students to receive more exposure to this patient group prior to graduation. The Glenrose Oral Health Services Clinic provides that one-of-a-kind opportunity for dentistry and dental hygiene students to treat the oral health needs of the Edmontonians who have difficulty accessing oral care due to mobility limitations or other issues.
The state of oral health for many in the community who live with disabilities or our frail elderly is often compromised. Things most of us take for granted-smiling without embarrassment, chewing effectively and without pain-are often not maintained."It has long been recognized that having opportunity to provide care for people with these challenges goes a long way in ensuring graduate dentists and hygienists will be comfortable welcoming these people into their practices," says Dr. Bill Preshing, clinical professor. "This tremendous new opportunity for students to provide patient care at the Glenrose will have profound benefits."