U of S students launch Saskatoon’s first student-run emergency dental clinic

DIRECT Dental is an initiative founded by four fourth-year students in the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program at the U of S: Christopher Bertsch, Kristen Kezar, Christy MacPherson and Mary Tait. 

“We want to be able to address any barriers patients might have to oral health, and connect them with resources,” said Bertsch.

Operating out of the College of Dentistry’s Saskatoon West Dental Clinic facility, DIRECT Dental will focus on bridging the gap between those who face financial barriers to receiving dental care and the students nearing the end of their dental training who are able to provide treatment in a supervised environment.

The walk-in clinic will provide emergency dental care to people who are uninsured and can’t otherwise afford it. Services will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, where patients are triaged and treated according to their needs. Treatments will be offered at no cost to the patient if certain criteria are met. No appointments are necessary.

“We are focused on delivering treatment for dental issues that are causing pain for the patient but, more importantly, in addition to our clinical services this program will provide advice and education on how to maintain oral health,” said Kezar.

This clinic will be made possible by the all-volunteer staff formed by College of Dentistry students as well as local dentists, dental assistants, dental hygienists, and dental therapists who provide professional support and supervision services free of charge.

The clinic was made possible through sponsors including dentalcorp, Carlton Dental Labs, Avail Dental Advisory Services, Henry Schein, Royal Bank, Sunstar and Sinclair Dental. Additional funding was secured through dental students’ society fundraising efforts. 

DIRECT Dental will be open on select Saturday afternoons between October and March of the academic year. For more information on clinic hours and dates of operation, please visit: www.directdentalclinic.ca.

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For more information, contact:
Jennifer Thoma 
Media Relations Specialist
University of Saskatchewan
306-966-1851
jennifer.thoma@usask.ca