UW Regional Affairs & RIDE

The annual Service Learning Rotation (SLR) Preceptor Calibration & Continuing Dental Education (CDE) event this past Monday brought together community preceptors, staff, and faculty for professional development, presentations, and calibration activities supporting student learning and clinical excellence.

Congratulations to this year’s student-selected award recipients: Dr. Marc Henning (CHAS Spokane), named Preceptor of the Year, and Sydni Stimson (Light Dental Studios, Puyallup), named Staff Member of the Year. Thank you for your outstanding dedication to mentoring and supporting our fourth-year dental students! 🦷👏

We are extremely proud of the RIDE class of 2026! These 8 students have spent the last 5 months providing oral healthcare in rural/underserved clinics across Washington state to those who need it most. We train providers in the rural setting to deliver care to underserved people and areas; these students have accomplished so much and will continue to provide much needed care. Congratulations!

Last week, 10 UWSOD students and faculty volunteered with Floss Boss and King County Public Health to provide more than $11,000 worth of free dental services for 15 new patients. Great work to the incredible volunteers whose compassion and hard work made it possible to improve oral health and expand access to care in the community!

Last week, the Office of Educational Partnerships (OEP), alongside five dental students and the Arcora Foundation, hosted their annual Interprofessional Education (IPE) session with the first year UW medical students.

Through this collaborative learning experience, dental students shared the important connection between oral health and overall health, helping future physicians better understand the role oral health plays in patient care. Participants also received hands-on training in conducting basic oral exams, applying fluoride varnish, and using silver diamine fluoride (SDF).

By bringing future healthcare professionals together, programs like IPE strengthen collaboration across disciplines and support a more holistic approach to patient care!

Dean Andre V. Ritter and Dr. Sangeetha Nedunchezhian have been inducted as Fellows of the prestigious Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Mary Smith and Dr. Larry Lawton, RIDE faculty, are also Fellows of this distinguished Academy.

The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an international honor organization dedicated to elevating the standards and advancing the art and science of dentistry worldwide. Fellowship in the Academy recognizes outstanding leadership, professionalism, and contributions to the field.

As Fellows, Dean Ritter and Dr. Nedunchezhian join a distinguished group of dental professionals who uphold the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and service and serve as exemplary role models in the profession.

Dental Academy is coming to Spokane—and the application deadline has been EXTENDED!

This is your chance to explore dental careers through a FREE, one-day hands-on experience at the UW RIDE Spokane campus.

Program Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Eligible Students: High school students enrolled during the 2026–2027 school year who live in Central or Eastern Washington

Participants will connect with dental student mentors, learn about college and career pathways, take part in hands-on activities, and explore the many opportunities within the dental profession.

NEW Application Deadline: Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Don't miss this opportunity to discover what a future in dentistry could look like!

Learn more and apply on our website: dental.washington.edu/oepd/eastern-wa-dental-academy/

Last week, Dr. Roberts and Jennifer Grant of Regional Affairs were invited by colleagues from Salish Kootenai College Dental Assisting Program and the Blackfeet Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) to participate in the Blackfeet Workforce Expo in Browning, Montana. They enjoyed connecting with middle school and high school students to share pathways into oral health careers and opportunities within the dental field!

Big news: Dental Academy is coming to Spokane!

The 2026 Eastern Washington Dental Academy application is now open. This free, one-day hands-on program is designed for students interested in exploring careers in dentistry and will take place on Saturday, September 26th in Spokane, WA.

Apply by May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM (Decisions released mid-June)

Eligibility: High school students in the 2026–2027 school year located in Central or Eastern Washington

Learn more: https://dental.washington.edu/oepd/eastern-wa-dental-academy/
Apply: https://forms.office.com/r/n4xgL2jLeA

On April 13th, Floss Boss Mobile brought its 4th Annual Oral Cancer Awareness event to UW’s Red Square. With the support of an incredible team of 59 volunteers, including 20 UWSOD dental students, the event made a meaningful impact by screening 266 individuals and reinforcing the importance of early detection and prevention.