Our faculty, residents, students, and staff spend hundreds of hours each year serving the communities surrounding Birmingham, as well as neighboring counties and the State of Alabama, by performing oral health screenings, health services delivery, and oral health education. In addition to our involvement in local and regional activities and supporting/ hosting health promotion events, our robust community outreach takes shape through campus collaborations and community partnerships, as well as student-led outreach.
Community Partnerships
Our employees, residents and students are encouraged to support, promote, and sustain the efforts of partnering organizations throughout the community.
Examples of community partners include Cahaba Valley Healthcare, a non-profit organization that targets the healthcare needs of Central Alabama’s Hispanic and low-income communities and First Light Shelter, a non-profit that provides a safe place for homeless women and children in the Birmingham area. We also have partnerships with YWCA of Birmingham, United Way of West Alabama (Success by 6 program), Alabama’s Kid Check and Sight Savers of America, Equal Access Birmingham, Special Olympics, Alabama Department of Senior Services, and Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Our volunteers also participate in events like Project Homeless Connect and Operation Help and Hope which help homeless individuals access needed services and provide ways to break the homelessness cycle. The events connect those experiencing homelessness with opportunities in housing, identifying sources of dental and medical care, and other community services.
Student-Led Outreach
Our Impressions and Dental Immersion Day programs, sponsored by the UAB chapters of Student National Dental Association (SNDA) and the Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA), are designed to connect pre-health college-level and high stchool students with a career in dentistry. The programs allow young students to explore and participate in dental lectures and pre-clinical activities, andsupport those attendees who are interested in oral health and dental careers. UAB's American Student Dental Association (ASDA) sponsors outreach programs including Miles for Smiles, Give Kids a Smile, and screenings for those experiencing homelessness. Learn more about ways our students connect with diverse communities through student activities.
