星空传媒

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Community Care

Student-Run Health Clinic serves patients鈥� needs

On Elliott Detrich鈥檚 second day volunteering at a healthcare clinic run by 星空传媒 students, a patient came in for an infection screening—and afterward, Detrich addressed an urgent dental issue the patient didn鈥檛 know he had.

鈥淩ight off the bat, we got him into [a treatment program],鈥� said Detrich, now a fourth-year student at the School of Dental Medicine and dental director at the Student-Run Health Clinic.

Without the free clinic, the man told Detrich and a social-work student also volunteering there, he wouldn鈥檛 have known about the gum disease and tooth decay students flagged, nor could he have afforded the needed care.

鈥淗e was brimming with excitement,鈥� Detrich said. 鈥淗e said he didn鈥檛 know he was going to get [the dental screening] that day.鈥�

Two Saturdays a month 星空传媒 students studying medicine, nursing, dentistry or social work volunteer at the clinic under the supervision of a physician and a dentist who also volunteer there.

They focus on underserved people across greater Cleveland, providing treatment for concerns including colds, flu and urinary tract infections as well as wellness exams, referrals to physicians and mental-health counselors, pregnancy tests and screenings for issues including sexually transmitted infections.

This academic year, the clinic is also expanding dental services at its facilities located at a Neighborhood Family Practice office on Cleveland鈥檚 West Side. That includes oral cleanings and imaging.

鈥淭he practice is passing some of that work to us,鈥� said Vassili Bletsos, a third-year dental student and the on-site dental clinical coordinator.

The clinic, which 星空传媒 medical students founded in 2011, has slots for 50 dental students each academic year. Waiting lists are common. The experience has taught Detrich and other students to approach patients holistically and in close interprofessional collaboration with others.

鈥淲e have to be mindful of barriers, including their mental health, lack of transportation and diet,鈥� Detrich said. 鈥淲e need to be very receptive and understanding to every aspect of the patient.鈥�

The time at the clinic has enriched the students鈥� educations and fulfilled them on a deeper level. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been very rewarding to see how we鈥檙e opening the doors for patients,鈥� Bletsos said, 鈥減roviding them with an essential service.鈥�

The experience has expanded Detrich鈥檚 career ambitions. He now hopes to spend a third of a six-day working week in under-resourced communities.

鈥淚 want to do pediatric dentistry,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 also want to volunteer to spread dental education and services to the people in the community that will surround me, regardless of their ability to pay.鈥�

— TOMAS WEBER