U of T Dentistry students help locals in need
By Rachel Boutet
Fourth-year dental students are no strangers to helping communities in need and now a local clinic has been added to their off-site rotation schedule.
The Yonge Street Mission’s (YSM) Evergreen Dental Clinic, located within walking distance of the Faculty, offers dental services to vulnerable populations. Dental services are provided by volunteer dental professionals and dental students like those from U of T Dentistry.
James Posluns, assistant professor, teaching stream, and director of clinical affairs with the Faculty, says partnering with YSM is a “win-win”.
“YSM completed the construction of a new clinic facility that is supported by volunteers and the community,” he says. “It not only fits in nicely with the fourth-year Community Service Learning course but aligns with one of the core values of our Faculty – helping those who really need care.”
Posluns adds that the patients do not qualify for any other social program and if not for the YSM, they would not be able to access care in any other facility.
“This is a tremendous learning opportunity for our students,” he says. “They can see firsthand how important their responsibility as providers of oral health care in the community really is.”
The DDS4 students have been volunteering since October 2024 on Tuesdays and Thursdays and will continue until April 2025. Ifeanyi Ezeliorah and Abbas Rizvi are two of the students who have been completing their rotations at the YSM clinic, offering all aspects of general dentistry including exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions and more.
“I've had a fulfilling experience at YSM – the staff create a conducive and organized environment for patients and students,” says Ezeliorah. During one of the sessions, I worked with Dr. Hsu on a pulpectomy and it was great to learn a helpful barbed broach maneuver from him.”
Melvin Hsu is an instructor working alongside the DDS4 students at YSM. He says their impact is felt by all those they treat.
“Students at the YSM clinic gain valuable hands-on experience by providing urgent care to at-risk youth with limited access to dental services,” says Hsu. “Their work directly impacts patients’ well-being, with many expressing gratitude for having their oral health needs addressed. The professionalism and clinical skills these students demonstrate are truly impressive.”
Rizvi says his experience at YSM has been incredibly rewarding, noting a particular experience that helped refine his technical and time management skills.
“One of the highlights was completing a molar endodontic procedure from A to Z – the minimal supervision unless required gave me a real sense of what private practice might feel like,” he says. “Additionally, I had the chance to navigate patient management on a diverse crowd further enhancing my clinical confidence. The supportive environment at YSM has been instrumental in my growth as a clinician.”
Both Ezeliorah and Rizvi are graduating this spring and will take experiences like the ones at YSM with them.
“The importance of giving back is manifold and cannot be overemphasized,” says Ezeliorah, who will be entering Faculty’s dental anaesthesia specialty program. “YSM provides an opportunity for us to bridge the gap in access to dental care and enhances the oral health of patients that otherwise are unable to afford the care.”
As for Rizvi, he plans to work as a general practitioner while also dedicating some of time to serving underserved populations.
“I believe it's important to give back to those in need while continuing to refine my skills as a clinician,” he says. “Working with these communities will not only allow me to make a positive impact but also help me grow professionally by addressing the unique challenges these patients face.”
Top photo: Ifeanyi Ezeliorah at the YSM Clinic