Saturday Morning Clinics (SMC) have been a tradition at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry for over four decades. In addition to providing no-cost treatment to children in the Lexington area, this student-led initiative also gives prospective students the chance to visit the college for a firsthand look at clinic operations. Several UK pre-dental students shared their experience from observing the October 21 SMC.

Garrett Wilson, a junior psychology major, says the community service aspect of the Saturday Morning Clinics piqued his interest. He also emphasized the impact of interacting and building connections with student dentists who were in his shoes just a few years ago.

“My experience at the SMC was amazing to say the least,” Wilson said, “I had the opportunity to see a pulpectomy performed on a patient that was about five years old. Even though the child didn’t speak any English, the dental students were excellent in comforting him throughout the procedure and that is a skill that is crucial in the field of dentistry.”

For senior human health sciences major Celene Steele, shadowing in a pediatric setting was especially eye-opening. Steele watched as an eight-year-old received a restoration, and later observed a four-year-old receiving a stainless steel crown.

Ashley Wettstain, also a human health sciences major, says that observing Saturday Morning Clinics has not only deepened her passion for dentistry, but for UK Dentistry as a whole.

“One thing I find really neat is watching how helpful the [senior students] are to the first and second-years,” she said, “I know that if I am fortunate enough to be accepted into the UK College of Dentistry, I will not only have a support system to help me pursue my dream, but a family.”

Wettstain, who has also shadowed in a private practice setting, expressed appreciation for the patience and congeniality of UKCD students and faculty. “They understand that what may be common knowledge to practiced dentists is not common knowledge to an undergraduate pre-dental student — they are sure to articulate each dental term and each step in the dental procedure thoroughly.”

The remaining SMC dates for the fall semester are Nov. 18 and Dec. 9. Any student interested in shadowing or volunteering for the SMC program may contact Miranda Scurlock in the Office of Admissions and Student affairs at the UK College of Dentistry at 859-323-6071.

Photo: From left, Celene Steele, Miranda Thomas Scurlock, M.Ed, Ashley Wettstain- UK Student, and Garrett Wilson.