OVERVIEW
The East Carolina University Dental Community Service Learning Center is a full-service dental facility used for clinical instruction and patient care. It is staffed by faculty dentists, fourth year students and post-graduate students from ECU's School of Dental Medicine. The center offers comprehensive dental care and is open to the public. The facility has been serving the Jackson County, NC region since June 27, 2014.
Services:
- Comprehensive General Dentistry
- Children’s Dentistry
- Oral Surgery – Extractions
- Root Canals
- Sealants and Tooth Colored Fillings
- Crowns and Bridges
- Dentures and Partial Dentures
- Implant Services
- Periodontal Services and Cleanings
- Cosmetic Tooth Whitening
- Digital Radiography
- 3-D/Cone Beam Imaging
Students from the ECU School of Dental Medicine tour
an examination room during the center's opening ceremony.
ECU'S COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE
The community service learning center concept was created to bring quality dental care to underserved rural populations in North Carolina. In Jackson County for example, the ratio of dentists to residents was one dentist for every 2,748 people, well below the national average of one dentist for every 1,493 people. East Carolina has opened seven centers so far and plans to open its eighth in the winter of 2016.
LOCATIONS
The ECU School of Dental Medicine is committed to preparing its students to work in rural locations. According to the school's dean, Dr. Greg Chadwick, the centers allow the students to experience a working office environment. They learn to make appointments, fill out medicaid claims and see the economics involved with running a practice. Students remain connected to the dental school in Greenville, NC through video conferencing and other electronic communication if they need to have consultations or do work with other faculty.
CONTACT
East Carolina University
School of Dental Medicine Community Service Learning Center-Sylva
316 County Services Park
Sylva, NC 28779
Phone 828-586-1200
Fax 828-586-0047
Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Emergency services are provided on a walk-in basis, Mon. - Fri.
LINKS
East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine
Official ECU Sylva Dental Community Service Learning Center web page
Sources: "Sylva Smiles: ECU celebrates opening of fourth dental service learning center," "Healthier Smiles from the Mountains to the Coast," "Preparing Leaders with a Passion to Serve."
