Dental clinic reopens, offers low prices

Kelsey Baker-Shaw, a WCC dental assisting student, practices on a mannequin’s teeth. Ruby Go | Washtenaw Voice

By Ruby Go
Editor

The on-campus dental clinic at WCC will open its doors again this winter during the months of February and March.

The clinic is run by WCC dental assisting students who work with other dental students at the University of Michigan. Services are provided by the students, who are overseen by a licensed dentist. In most cases, cash or check payment is expected. Anyone 18 and up living in the Washtenaw County area is welcome to be seen. Students under 18 at Washtenaw Technical Middle College, the high school at WCC, are also welcomed if accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The clinic’s prices are significantly cheaper than others in the area. Without dental insurance, a cleaning can cost over $100. At the clinic, a cleaning is $15.

“It’s basically free,” said Jodi Neuman, a dental assisting professor who also works at the clinic. “Fluoride treatments at my dental office are $73. They’re $5 here.”

One in three American adults do not have dental insurance, according to the American Dental Association. Additionally, a National Library of Medicine study found that, from a study of about 705 college students, nearly a third of the students had an untreated dental health issue, with the most common reason for leaving it untreated being the cost of care.

“If my insurance didn’t already cover it, I would totally be going (to the clinic),” said Kelsey Baker-Shaw, a WCC dental assisting student who works at the clinic. “I didn’t even know it existed before this program.”

About 12 patients visit the clinic per day, according to Neuman. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, only WCC students, staff, and faculty were allowed to be treated. However, as more and more people from the community wanted to be seen at the clinic, they agreed to start treating them, too.

Both Neuman and Baker-Shaw want future patients to know that they will be in good hands. While some people may be hesitant to be treated at a student-run dental office, Neuman emphasizes that every treatment carried out by the students is approved by a licensed dentist, who is also present at the clinic in case of an emergency.

“We spent a lot of time getting to this point and practicing. I mean, we’re ready,” Baker-Shaw said. “We make sure we take as much time as needed for every single case.”

Where: OE 106
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Who: Call (734) 973-3332 to schedule an appointment

Treatments:
X-rays: $15
Cleaning: $15
Simple fillings: $15-$20 per filling
Fluoride treatment: $5