Rice Regional Dental Clinic Town Hall Meeting

The second "Town Hall" meeting for the developing Rice Regional Dental Clinic took place on October 4, 2007 on the campus of Rice Memorial Hospital. Approximately forty dentists, public health officials and other individuals with special interest in the clinic from the twelve county area surrounding Willmar participated in the meeting. Participants heard presentations by Lawrence Massa, CEO of Rice Memorial Hospital; School of Dentistry Dean, Patrick Lloyd,D.D.S, M.S and Dr. Robert Erickson, dental clinic director. They covered topics including construction progress, operational plans and opportunities to interact with School of Dentistry students. Almost everyone took advantage of the tour of the clinic offered by Lawrence Massa and Rice Facilities Manager, Doug Buchanan.

School of Dentistry Outreach Program Director, Dr. Paul Schulz, who had an opportunity to speak with many of the dentists was impressed with their overwhelming support for the clinic. “They really seem to support the mission of this clinic and were interested in getting involved with this significant opportunity to treat the underserved in their community.” Indicative of that support, fifteen of the dentists who were there offered to volunteer at the new clinic.