HPU’s Dental, Pharmacy and Nursing Schools Provide Free Care at Two-Day N.C. Missions of Mercy Clinic
High Point University’s Workman School of Dental Medicine supported a free North Carolina Missions of Mercy (NC MOM) dental clinic for adults in need on March 28-29 at Williams Memorial CME Church in High Point. Pictured from left were Dr. Maria Khan, an assistant professor of primary care and attending faculty (general dentistry), examining a patient’s teeth at the clinic with assistance from first-year HPU dental student Lynsey Matulka of Omaha, Nebraska.
HIGH POINT, N.C., April 2, 2025 – High Point University’s Workman School of Dental Medicine provided support at a free North Carolina Missions of Mercy (NC MOM) dental clinic for adults in need on March 28-29 at Williams Memorial CME Church in High Point. The two-day clinic treated hundreds of patients to a variety of services, including free dental exams, X-rays, cleanings and extractions.
HPU dental faculty, staff and students served as dental hygienists, assistants, sterilization technicians, supply station managers and interpreters for patients at the clinic. Faculty and students from HPU’s Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy and the Teresa Caine School of Nursing also assisted at the clinic, which treated more than 600 patients.
“At the end of the day, we try to be a beacon of support for the community,” said Dr. Jason Macik, HPU Health attending dentist and clinical assistant professor in the Workman School of Dental Medicine. “We bring a lot of talent, and it’s a good educational experience for the learners as well. It’s a great opportunity to help a large volume of patients and provide students with exposure to dental treatment.”
Dr. Maria Khan, assistant professor of primary care and attending faculty (general dentistry), expressed excitement about the impact she made for her first patient of the day, who had slept outside the church to be among the first served at the clinic when the doors opened at 6 a.m. on March 28. He received two front tooth fillings.
“It was very heartwarming to see him walk out with a brand-new smile,” Khan said. “Our mission here at the High Point University Workman School of Dental Medicine is putting those who need our care at the center of everything that we do. This is perfect for us to be here to show our learners what we do every day in our clinics. It’s practical, real-life experiences.”
Dr. Jordan Smith, associate professor of pharmacy clinical studies, spoke with hundreds of patients as they entered and exited the NC MOM clinic.
“Our pharmacy students get to be on the back end of this, where these patients getting a dental procedure need a pain medication or an antibiotic to make sure nothing gets infected,” Smith said. “Our students get to talk to these folks who are getting teeth pulled or getting dental procedures and see what they’re going through to get that face-to-face experience. They can talk them through what they may expect in the next few days.”
As president of the HPU chapter of the American Student Dental Association, first-year HPU dental student Mark Sadek was touched by the answer Dr. Amy Farrar, clinical associate professor, gave when asked why dental professionals would provide free care without reimbursement.
“Not everyone has money or the ability to get care, but everyone should come get care,” said Sadek, who is from West Palm Beach, Florida. “We can come together to help and to serve our community. Dr. Farrar said, ‘When I was young and didn’t have money, someone blessed me so now it’s time for us to bless them.’ I couldn’t agree more. Serving like this fills some of the holes in your heart.”
Maggie Junkin, a senior biology major and a pre-dental student, assisted with instrument sterilization in her role at her fourth NC MOM clinic.
“It’s cool to see everyone in the community come together and be a supporting unit,” said Junkin, who is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “Through this I’ve learned about the different instruments they use in the dental field. We gain more knowledge and hands-on experience, and we get to meet like-minded pre-dental students, talk to them and gain connections that way.”
The Workman School of Dental Medicine welcomed its inaugural class of 60 students in the fall. It has previously provided free dental care to veterans, teachers, first responders, immigrants and refugees on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.