School of Dentistry Profile: Wakara Clinic
Talk to team members of the University of Utah School of Dentistry’s largest clinic, and you find they are passionate about two things: making a difference out in the community and turning out new dentists with incredible levels of hands-on experience.
“The patients that we treat here, you get to see a lot of really good transitions. We help a lot of people, which makes it fun to come to work,” said Clinic Director Dr. Holly Sharp, who oversees the student clinic floor and attending faculty. “We see a lot of patients in recovery, and they’ve had a hard path when they get here. It’s fun to see them go from needing a lot of work, taking care of that, and the transition that we see in them. We see them getting jobs. They have more confidence, and they’re out of pain for the first time in years. So, I feel that we do a lot of good in the community.”
“We have an amazing team,” said Wakara Senior Clinic Manager Mandy Biesinger. “And they aren’t just amazing with the things that they do, but with their attitude and with their optimism and their can-do approach. It’s just really fun to work with them and always be part of that innovation and constant energy that they supply.”
Wakara Clinic Front Desk Supervisor Melissa Leiataua said she is all about making sure patients feel welcome. Leiataua brings with her 20 years of experience in the medical field. “I love meeting new people. I’m from Hawaii so, you know, we spread the aloha,” she said. “We are here to help patients that need assistance and that don’t have the finances. Our students, faculty, and staff are great.”
Dr. Leslie Halpern, Section Head of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, said the goal is to make oral care a seamless part of overall health. “We really get out there and we are teaching our community that the oral healthcare provider is not a tooth carpenter, they’re referred to as an oral healthcare physician. So, we’re looking at oral healthcare as part of the overall health and wellbeing of our patient population, which is very exciting,” Halpern said.
The result is training D3 and D4 students to become excellent dentists.
“I would say our students are very well prepared. We’re trying our best to help the community at the same time, and I feel like we are doing a really good job,” Sharp said. “When you have one of our students come into your office, you’re going to get someone that’s ready to work and knows what they’re doing.”
Biesinger said it’s exciting to watch students from their D1 year and how they change and grow. By the time they are D4s, “they are placing implants and doing root canals, and they’re really into the work and they’re ready to graduate and they’re excited to move on. It’s just really exciting to be able to see those transitions and that transformative care that we can provide to those patients.”
In addition to the student clinic, Wakara also runs the Faculty Practice where faculty can see patients and perform advanced procedures. COVID prompted a decrease in services, but as of August, the faculty clinic is ramping up – even with some new remodeling. “The faculty team is amazing. They are so dedicated,” said Faculty Practice manager Kellie Nelson.
Wakara Clinic floor supervisor Amber Smith summed it up best: people love coming to work and are so willing to pitch in where needed. Because, the goal is, “we’re here for the patient.”