September 15, 2025
UW School of Dentistry shows its commitment to service through free clinics across Washington state
Over its 80-year history, the University of Washington School of Dentistry has trained nearly 7,000 dental professionals, many of whom stay in Washington. But the School’s service doesn’t start at graduation. UW dental students, faculty members and community volunteers provide free care to communities across Washington, serving hundreds of patients each academic quarter.
The UW’s community collaborations span the state. In recent months, the School of Dentistry has offered care in Toppenish, Moses Lake and Longview, alongside monthly service days at Union Gospel Mission in Seattle and quarterly mobile clinics. Patients receive oral health exams, fillings, tooth extractions and cleanings.
A patient receives care at a free clinic led by the UW School of Dentistry in Aberdeen, Washington.
“The work we do in communities across the state is a great example of why the UW is often called the University for Washington,” said André Ritter, dean of the UW School of Dentistry. “These programs and partnerships advance the mission of the UW and the School in significant ways through education and clinical care.”
The clinics are organized through the School’s Office of Educational Partnerships, which is solely focused on improving the oral health of people in the Pacific Northwest. OEP coordinates outreach programs that address the distinct needs of each community. Dental students have the opportunity to serve in outreach clinics or act as mentors for middle- and high-school students, encouraging them to pursue dental education and eventually serve their own communities.
Dental students typically begin seeing patients near the start of their third year. At the UW, however, students have the opportunity to work in clinical settings in underserved communities the summer after their first year through the Rural and Underserved Opportunities Program (RUOP).
The School also offers a specific educational track that trains dentists to work in rural and underserved communities. Operated in conjunction with Eastern Washington University and the UW School of Medicine, the program — Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) — has seen over 80% of its graduates return to rural and underserved communities across the Pacific Northwest.
“Oral health is an essential part of overall well-being, and everyone deserves access to high-quality dental care,” said Amy Kim, a UW clinical associate professor of pediatric dentistry and director of the Office of Educational Partnerships. “We recognize that it is our duty and privilege to serve those who need it most.”
The UW School of Dentistry will continue its service and outreach programs throughout the fall and winter quarters. For more information or to learn about upcoming service days, contact Alden Woods at acwoods@uw.edu.
Tag(s): Amy Kim • Andre Ritter • Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) • School of Dentistry