June 24, 2025. By Nashmil Islam.

Across the U.S., millions of people lack access to basic dental care. Whether due to

geographic isolation, financial constraints, transportation difficulties, or language

barriers, many communities remain chronically underserved.

As a dental student, you have the ability to make a real impact right now! By launching a

student-led dental clinic, you can help close this gap in care while also gaining

invaluable hands-on experience in clinic operations—an aspect often missing from

traditional dental education.

As a dental student at UNC and a leader of the SMILE Mobile Clinic, I have experienced

firsthand how transformative this work can be for us as students and the tremendous

impact it has on community we serve. SMILE is a newly established, entirely student-

run clinic dedicated to reaching communities that lack access to traditional, stationary

dental services. Once a month, SMILE partners with a community organization and

converts an empty space into a fully operational dental facility using portable chairs,

dental units, and supplies. In just two years, SMILE has had a profound impact on the

local community. With only two dental chairs, we have provided care to over 110

patients—services valued at approximately $36,672 based on adjusted private practice

fees. Through this experience, I’ve gained skills in clinic management that I had never

considered before, such as scheduling clinic days, managing supplies, troubleshooting

equipment issues, and coordinating volunteers. Leading a clinic like SMILE has helped

me develop critical skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, and adaptability. This

clinic model provides a sustainable, scalable, and flexible solution to addressing the

urgent need for dental care while simultaneously preparing future dental professionals

for success.

According to the National Institute of Health, ne in four adults (ages 20 to 64) has untreated dental decay, with the highest

prevalence among those with lower incomes and less education. These untreated

dental issues often lead to more severe disease, tooth loss, and overall poorer health.

Additionally, communities facing the greatest need often encounter multiple barriers to

accessing dental care, including transportation challenges, financial limitations,

language barriers, and low oral health literacy. Despite these pressing needs, many dental students graduate feeling unprepared for

the realities of clinical practice. A survey from the American Dental Education

Association (ADEA) found that only about 50% of dental graduates felt confident

managing a successful practice. This gap leaves new dentists struggling to handle

essential responsibilities like budgeting, leading teams, and overcoming logistical

challenges.

At UNC, we are fortunate to be one of the few dental schools nationwide that grants

students full autonomy in operating student-run clinics like SMILE Mobile Clinic. In this

model, faculty members serve solely as supervisors, overseeing the care provided by

students. These clinics not only offer essential services to underserved patients but also

provide students with invaluable real-world experience in running a clinic.

Unfortunately, student-led service clinics remain rare. As a result, many underserved

communities continue to go without care, while dental students miss out on

transformative learning opportunities. Every dental school should establish at least one

student-led clinic. These programs simultaneously address two major challenges:

expanding access to dental care for those in need while equipping future dentists with

essential leadership and operational skills.

Call to Action:

Dental School Administrators: Approve and encourage proposals for student-led

clinics. Empower your students to take the lead and serve the community.

Dental Students: Take the initiative. Develop and present proposals to start a student-

led clinic at your school! Advocate for change if your school pushes back. If you’re

choosing a dental school, consider programs with a strong mission of service and

opportunities for hands-on experience. By taking matters into your own hands, you can

help close the gap in care while gaining the skills you need to succeed in your career.

Let’s bridge the gap and build a healthier future, one student-led service clinic at a time.

Nashmil Islam

2024-25 BCBSNC Foundation Schweitzer Fellow

UNC School of Dentistry, Class of 2026