Healing smiles: Transformative clinical rotations
Over the summer, U of T Dentistry students gained valuable exposure to treating patients experiencing mental illness through their one-week rotation at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The clinic, which provides dental care to individuals facing struggles with mental health and addictions, left a profound impact on the students as they learned to navigate the challenges of finding a connection, building trust and treating patients.
“These clinical rotations give our students valuable experiences and a deeper understanding of the social impact they can make through their profession; our work can be life altering.”
The Faculty of Dentistry ensures that its graduates are knowledgeable about mental health and its relationship to the practice of dentistry. It offers a mandatory third year course entitled Psychiatry and Dentistry, timed to enhance the CAMH rotations. “These clinical rotations give our students valuable experiences and a deeper understanding of the social impact they can make through their profession; our work can be life altering.” says Dr. Joel Rosenbloom.
Simrat Kaur and Niloufar Ebrahimian, third-year dentistry students, enjoyed working together to complete their rotation. They shared that their days were intense but rewarding and felt that they gained valuable clinical experience. For Ebrahimian, the experience was liberating as they were encouraged to take the initiative and devise treatment plans and take on complex procedures, promoting independence and confidence in their abilities.
The patients they encountered had myriad medical conditions ranging from mental disorders, generalized anxiety, and depression to addictions, often taking six or more medications. Communication was crucial, as it could take ten to fifteen minutes to orient a patient about their treatment needs and the procedures involved.
Among the patients they treated was a woman who desperately needed dentures but feared she couldn't afford them. Through the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and the Ontario Dental (OD) Cup Fund, the patient's financial burden was alleviated, bringing immense relief and gratitude. Kaur recalls the patient's heartfelt words, "I know I can't hug you guys, but if I could, I am mentally hugging you right now."
Both students encountered patients with heart-wrenching stories, including a homeless woman who endured physical abuse, multiple missing teeth and root resorption due to frequent assaults and the nature of life on the streets. Another patient, who has recently completed treatment for addiction, and had severely damaged teeth, sought dental care to regain her confidence as she reentered the dating world.
“Through this rotation, we witnessed the immediate impact that dentists can have on their patients' health."
“Through this rotation, we witnessed the immediate impact that dentists can have on their patients' health. Improving someone’s smile can have a profound impact on someone’s confidence” says Ebrahimian.
Despite the emotional challenges, the experience at CAMH left the students feeling fulfilled and motivated. The impact they witnessed on patients' lives reinforced their passion for dentistry and the transformative effects they could bring to people's well-being. Inspired by their experiences, both students look forward to their future careers in dentistry, knowing that they have the power to make a significant difference in the lives of their patients and the community at large.
By Nina Ambros Beckles
Photo credit: Jeff Comber, IITS