U-M School of Dentistry receives gifts to improve clinical care

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Michigan School of Dentistry recently received two generous gifts to help create a new clinic and professorship aimed at improving access to health and dental care for patients with special needs.

As part of their clinical training, students in the school work with a broad range of patients, including those with special needs. Until now, treating this group of patients has been challenging in a clinical space that is ill-equipped to accommodate personal, physical and care/treatment requirements.

To address this challenge, the school is building a new clinic that will not only enhance the way patients with special needs receive care, but also better prepare dental, dental hygiene and graduate students to treat these patients after graduation.

Thanks to a $2 million gift from the Delta Dental Foundation, the school will build a clinic where special needs patients will receive both dental and healthcare services in the same facility from providers across multiple disciplines.

The design of the Delta Dental of Michigan Integrated Special Care Clinic will improve healthcare access and convenience for patients with developmental disabilities, cognitive impairments, complex medical problems, or significant medical limitations. The clinic will also serve the vulnerable elderly and veterans with PTSD.

The Delta Dental Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental operations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina. Established in 1980, the Delta Dental Foundation has since provided nearly $17 million in grants to organizations providing dental care for the underserved, programs promoting the importance of good oral health, and educational institutions to enhance dental education and research.

The clinic's unique delivery model is designed so dental students and faculty will join colleagues from other U-M health science schools and colleges, such as the School of Nursing, Social Work, and College of Pharmacy in providing an interdisciplinary approach to enhance and improve the quality of care for this patient population. 

"Appointments in our comprehensive care clinics may require two or three hours, something that can be difficult for patients with special needs," said Dr. Stephen Stefanac, senior associate dean of the School of Dentistry and clinical professor of dentistry. "Patients in our new clinic will be assigned to a faculty member who will expedite care with the help of an interprofessional team representing dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and social work. Staff will be available who are experienced working with caregivers and patients with special needs. Quality care delivered with sensitivity and compassion is our primary goal."

New Professorship

To lead the team of healthcare professionals, the Dr. Walter H. Swartz Faculty Professorship in Integrated Special Care Dentistry is being established in the School of Dentistry with a significant gift from Timothy Wadhams (BA ′70, MBA ′73) and his wife, Laurie. The professorship honors Laurie's father, the late Dr. Walter H. Swartz (DDS ′45, MS ′47), a dental professor of prosthodontics for 29 years.

"This very generous gift from Tim and Laurie Wadhams will translate our dream of integrated care for patients with special needs into a reality," said Laurie McCauley, dean of the School of Dentistry and the William K. and Mary Anne Najjar Professor. "The Swartz Professor will allow us to attract a leader with the particular skills to manage this transformational program and who will meld student learning with special patient care services. We are honored and extremely grateful that Tim and Laurie have bestowed this incredible gift on the School of Dentistry."

Tim and Laurie Wadhams trace their connections to U-M in different ways. Tim received a bachelor's in economics and an M.B.A from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, and played football for four years. His mother worked as a clinical assistant at the School of Dentistry. Laurie can trace her connection to the university through her father, Dr. Walter H. Swartz (DDS ′45, MS ′47) a professor of prosthodontics in the School of Dentistry.

After 37 years, Tim recently retired as CEO and president of Masco Corporation, in Taylor, Mich. He and Laurie grew up in Ann Arbor and have expanded their connection with the university beyond the School of Dentistry. They support a variety of areas at Michigan, including the Athletics Department, the Kellogg Eye Center, and the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.  

"I wanted to surprise Laurie by doing something to recognize her dad at the Dental School," Tim Wadhams said. "I'm impressed with the comprehensive approach the school is taking in creating this clinic, and that it will be multi-disciplined and focused on treating people that are in need, including veterans."

Dr. Swartz began his dental career as a student in the School of Dentistry in 1942. He graduated in 1945, enrolled in the graduate program in denture prosthetics and joined the school's faculty as a clinical instructor. By 1961, he was promoted to full professor. Dr. Swartz's colleagues found him to be a rare combination of outstanding scholar, private practitioner, beloved professor, and civic leader. He was nationally known for his research and publications in dentistry and, until recently, was the only faculty member ever to be selected three times by the senior class to receive the school's Paul Gibbons Award for outstanding teaching.

"My dad was such a compassionate, caring man who always found time to help others," said Laurie Wadhams. "I know he would feel humbled and extremely honored to have this professorship named after him. Dad always felt that he was very fortunate to be able to enjoy his passion for both teaching and his private practice. He really loved the School of Dentistry."

These gifts are counted as part of U-M's Victors for Michigan campaign. The campaign, which publicly launched in November 2013, has a goal of raising $4 billion to support three university priorities: student support, engaged learning and bold ideas for the public good.

About the School of Dentistry
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.dent.umich.edu/

Contact: Judith Malcolm, (734) 647-7583, [email protected]

SOURCE University of Michigan