During the 2024-25 academic year, 38 University of Iowa College of Dentistry students and one resident volunteered their time at His Hands Dental Clinic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they provided dental care to over 60 patients.
The clinic, run by 1987 College of Dentistry graduate Dr. Jeff Akey, completed its third year in partnership with Dr. Dan Caplan, professor of preventive and community dentistry, and the College of Dentistry. This was the first year that first-year dental students and residents volunteered.
"All the students were very upbeat, positive, kind, and professional," Akey added, "They were a real joy to work with and the patients so appreciated their volunteering to help with their care."
In total, there were 75 student visits over 15 Saturdays and 62 patients served with services ranging from hygiene, exams, and x-rays to operative, pros, and oral surgery. This amounted to a total value of $25,809 in free services provided by dental students.
The following students and resident volunteered their time:
Resident
- Dr. Justin Nichols
D4's
- Amy Uehara
- Jake Inghram
- Nick Long
- Clare Caruso
- Swadeepa Banala
- Jack Joyce
- Ethan Smith (Student Leader)
- Olivia Bartholomew (Student Leader)
- Brooke Kirby
- Dr. Elayne Shaji
- Dr. Anupama Kare
- Sydney Washington
- Sarah Johnson
D3's
- Morgan Swanger (Student Leader)
- Tala Hag Ali (Student Leader)
- Dr. Saba Manafi
- Tanveera Vasdev
- Christina Spencer
- Matt Debner
- Rhett Pederson
- Jeremiah Poppen
D2's
- Keshav Wagle
- Danielle Dadisman
- Satnam Aulakh
- Mahum Haque
- Lexi Gravagna
- Katy Volz (Student Leader)
- Anna Hedges
- Jeffrey Abraham
- Elise Amerongen
- Ann Luo (Student Leader)
- Mallory Leisure
- Benjamin Fischl
- Lauren Groenenboom
- Madeline Klingenberg
D1's
- Clayton Henriksen
- Andrew Dixon
