In partnership with the Salt Lake Education Foundation, the University of Utah School of Dentistry is celebrating the opening of a dental clinic at Liberty Community Learning Center. The clinic will serve adults and students from four elementary schools in the area—Whittier Elementary, Bennion Elementary, Liberty Elementary and Washington Elementary. Patients will be treated by dental students who are under constant supervision by licensed faculty members.

Tooth pain and tooth decay are the leading cause of grade school absence, so providing oral health care to the community is critical with this patient population. “Dental issues are responsible for approximately a third of elementary school absences, especially among children from economically vulnerable families. We are grateful to the University of Utah School of Dentistry for supporting our students, their families and our community. Together we are helping ensure our students are able to attend school ready to learn,” says Lexi Cunningham, superintendent of the Salt Lake City School District.

The School of Dentistry’s mission is to provide care to the community, especially to underserved populations, and this partnership is part of an effort to expand access to care to more communities in need throughout Utah. “We are grateful to expand our relationship with the University of Utah School of Dentistry. The dental clinic at the Liberty Community Learning Center will make it easier for our students and their families to access much needed dental care,” says James Yapias, director of the Salt Lake Education Foundation. The clinic will serve patients Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.