UW Regional Affairs & RIDE

Last week, the Office of Educational Partnerships (OEP), alongside five dental students and the Arcora Foundation, hosted their annual Interprofessional Education (IPE) session with the first year UW medical students.

Through this collaborative learning experience, dental students shared the important connection between oral health and overall health, helping future physicians better understand the role oral health plays in patient care. Participants also received hands-on training in conducting basic oral exams, applying fluoride varnish, and using silver diamine fluoride (SDF).

By bringing future healthcare professionals together, programs like IPE strengthen collaboration across disciplines and support a more holistic approach to patient care!

Dean Andre V. Ritter and Dr. Sangeetha Nedunchezhian have been inducted as Fellows of the prestigious Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Mary Smith and Dr. Larry Lawton, RIDE faculty, are also Fellows of this distinguished Academy.

The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an international honor organization dedicated to elevating the standards and advancing the art and science of dentistry worldwide. Fellowship in the Academy recognizes outstanding leadership, professionalism, and contributions to the field.

As Fellows, Dean Ritter and Dr. Nedunchezhian join a distinguished group of dental professionals who uphold the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and service and serve as exemplary role models in the profession.

Dental Academy is coming to Spokane—and the application deadline has been EXTENDED!

This is your chance to explore dental careers through a FREE, one-day hands-on experience at the UW RIDE Spokane campus.

Program Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Eligible Students: High school students enrolled during the 2026–2027 school year who live in Central or Eastern Washington

Participants will connect with dental student mentors, learn about college and career pathways, take part in hands-on activities, and explore the many opportunities within the dental profession.

NEW Application Deadline: Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM

Don't miss this opportunity to discover what a future in dentistry could look like!

Learn more and apply on our website: dental.washington.edu/oepd/eastern-wa-dental-academy/

Last week, Dr. Roberts and Jennifer Grant of Regional Affairs were invited by colleagues from Salish Kootenai College Dental Assisting Program and the Blackfeet Tribal Employment Rights Office (TERO) to participate in the Blackfeet Workforce Expo in Browning, Montana. They enjoyed connecting with middle school and high school students to share pathways into oral health careers and opportunities within the dental field!

Big news: Dental Academy is coming to Spokane!

The 2026 Eastern Washington Dental Academy application is now open. This free, one-day hands-on program is designed for students interested in exploring careers in dentistry and will take place on Saturday, September 26th in Spokane, WA.

Apply by May 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM (Decisions released mid-June)

Eligibility: High school students in the 2026–2027 school year located in Central or Eastern Washington

Learn more: https://dental.washington.edu/oepd/eastern-wa-dental-academy/
Apply: https://forms.office.com/r/n4xgL2jLeA

Dean Ritter met with an array of local leaders from across Eastern Washington this week.

He discussed the business side of dentistry with Spokane-based business coach Kevin Weir at the start of the week. He then toured a handful of RIDE rotation sites, including in Cheney, Othello, Moses Lake and Quincy, to see senior students and their lead clinicians in action. And finally, he had meetings with Avista Foundation's Kristine Meyer and Spokane District Dental Society's Executive Director Lacy McCormick to discuss their continued support of the RIDE program.

On April 13th, Floss Boss Mobile brought its 4th Annual Oral Cancer Awareness event to UW’s Red Square. With the support of an incredible team of 59 volunteers, including 20 UWSOD dental students, the event made a meaningful impact by screening 266 individuals and reinforcing the importance of early detection and prevention.

The RIDE open house yesterday was a great opportunity to connect with prospective students, share our mission, and reflect on the impact our program has had and will continue to have in educating future oral health professionals. Thank you to our wonderful RIDE students, faculty, and staff for their presentations and Q&A insights!

Calling all pre-dental students! The RIDE Open House in Spokane on April 21 at 4:30 PM. Learn about the RIDE program, dental school admissions, and application tips, connect from faculty and current students, and tour the dental labs. Open to all pre-dental students at any stage. RSVP required. Pizza and drinks provided.

This past weekend, a team of 12 UWSOD students and 4 faculty members joined Caring Hands Worldwide to provide dental care to the Burlington community. They were able to serve 33 patients, completing 13 extractions and 25 fillings. Thank you to our students, faculty, and community partners for supporting access to care through service and collaboration!