{"id":21476,"date":"2025-05-01T15:39:51","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T19:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/?page_id=21476"},"modified":"2025-07-01T09:20:39","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T13:20:39","slug":"mda-foundation-journal-column","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/mda-journal\/current-journal-issue\/mda-foundation-journal-column\/","title":{"rendered":"MDA Foundation Journal Column"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1698696973333{margin-top: -40px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #009ba7 !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;white-text&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>MDA Foundation Journal Column<\/h1>\n<p><nav  aria-label=\"breadcrumb\"><ol class=\"breadcrumb\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BreadcrumbList\"><li class=\"breadcrumb-item active\" aria-current=\"page\" itemprop=\"itemListElement\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ListItem\"><span itemprop=\"name\">Home<\/span><meta itemprop=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/li><\/ol><\/nav>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>$10K Grant to Utica Clinic Makes Quality Dental Care Possible<\/h2>\n<p>By Anne Berquist<br \/>\nFoundation Director of Development<\/p>\n<p>After 19 years of providing dental care to impoverished residents of Haiti through mission work, Dr. Robert Antolak and some of his fellow volunteers asked a question that would change the focus of their service and ultimately change the lives of hundreds of Michiganians: \u201cWhat are we doing locally, in our own communities, to help those with no access to care \u2013 either medical or dental?\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1750434425562{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}&#8221;]Yes, the providers were doing pro-bono work for some patients in their practices, but they perceived a need for a clinic that could offer treatment on a larger, more consistent basis to more people who needed it. After three years of foundational and organizational work, the Trinity Community Care Clinic opened in Utica in 2011. It is a faith-based 501C(3) non-profit organization that relies on grants and corporate and private donations for its funding. In 2024, the MDA Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to Trinity Community Care, enabling the clinic to replace an aging 1990-era panoramic X-ray machine with a used, refurbished one from Quality Dental Equipment in Pontiac.<\/p>\n<p>Trinity Community Care serves those who are uninsured, or underinsured, and have incomes at or below 250% of poverty federal level. Scarletta said the underinsured primarily receive medical treatment, as they may have insurance with deductibles that they cannot afford to pay.<\/p>\n<p>Located on the busy Van Dyke corridor, the clinic is tucked in behind a strip mall. It\u2019s easy to miss if you\u2019re not looking for it, says Amber Scarletta, its executive director. But people are finding it and receiving the care that otherwise would not have been available. Both Antolak, the clinic\u2019s dental director, and Scarletta hope that as more providers learn about the free clinic in Utica, they will be inspired to volunteer their services.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are always hoping for more volunteers so we can build capacity for more treatment and more care.\u201d He said that any dentists who are interested in volunteering can call him directly at 248-854-9263 and leave a voicemail. Scarletta invites anyone to contact her at <a href=\"mailto:ascarletta@trinitycommunitycare.org\">ascarletta@trinitycommunitycare.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, the dental clinic provided treatment to 115 patients, some with multiple visits. Currently, there are four or five dentists, two hygienists, and a fluctuating number of dental assistants who volunteer at the clinic. Additionally, some third- and fourth-year dental students from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry practice at the clinic under the supervision of an on-site dentist. Services provided include extractions, full-mouth extractions, partial or complete dentures, restorations, and oral hygiene. Scarletta said in six months the clinic provided 99 dental hygiene\/exam treatments, 141 fillings and extractions, eight dentures and 172 other dental services. The clinic is open for dental care two Fridays and two Saturdays per month and sometimes has staffing for Sunday hours as well. Medical care is provided on the alternating weekends.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;22514&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; img_link_target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1750434360441{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}&#8221; title=&#8221;\u2014 advertisement \u2014&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/www.medva.com\/mda\/&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\u201cWe treat all patients with respect and dignity,\u201d Antolak says. Scarletta says patients 19 years and older, of any nationality or religion who meet the income qualifications, can receive care, although there is a waiting list for services. \u201cPatients are so grateful for the care they receive,\u201d Antolak remarks. \u201cI had a patient who was in his 70s and had never been to a dentist. He couldn\u2019t stop crying and was so joyful at getting the help needed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A man of faith, Dr. Antolak feels fulfilled by his role in helping establish and volunteering at Trinity Community Care. \u201cI always knew I wanted to be of service and share the love of Jesus and the gifts and healing capacity given to me by him through dentistry,\u201d he says. The clinic exists today because of \u201ca number of like-minded individuals in the health care industry who united to serve in Jesus\u2019s name to make an impact on others\u2019 lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Your donations to the MDA Foundation enable it to support the work of free and reduced-cost dental clinics in Michigan. When you contribute to the Foundation, know your dollars are being directed to help those in the greatest need.<\/p>\n<p><em>Last article in this series. See also Dr. Antolak\u2019s commentary on the Back Page of this issue.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2>Scholarship Awardee Hopes to Expand Access to Care with Free Clinical Services<\/h2>\n<p>By Anne Berquist<br \/>\nFoundation Director of Development<\/p>\n<p>The dramatic need for accessible, reliable and affordable medical and dental services wasn\u2019t really apparent to Hope College undergraduate student Morgan Sherrard until she volunteered at the nearby Holland Free Health Clinic. Her three years working with people who had to make difficult choices between having their dental and medical needs met or paying bills, or helping their kids with college, were illuminating. In fact, she says she cried with people who were able to get help from the HFHC, and it opened her eyes to the disparity in care that exists everywhere.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1748371981948{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}&#8221;]\u201cIt was at the HFHC that my passion for dentistry really took off,\u201d Sherrard says. There, she was also introduced to the good works of the Michigan Dental Association and the MDA Foundation. HFHC has received grants from the Foundation to help fund its operations.<\/p>\n<p>Sherrard is the recipient of the most-recent $4,000 MDA Foundation\/Dr. and Mrs. Gary Jeffers scholarship. She aspires to someday provide free or low-cost holistic health services, including dentistry, to the underserved population.<\/p>\n<p>Her journey in dentistry includes a gap year, when she worked at 360DigiLab, a dental lab in Monroe, her home town. There, she and her manager discussed the pressing need for accessible dental care in underserved communities. Together, they envisioned creating a dental clinic in Monroe that would incorporate lab services and provide comprehensive care for individuals lacking access to basic dental treatment. Her dream has expanded to include potentially allying with her twin brother, Mitchell, who is in medical school at Michigan State University, to establish a clinic where both she and Mitchell could offer medical and dental care under one roof. Of course, bringing this vision to life would depend upon where both siblings end up practicing their professions. Her hope is that they would be in nearby communities and could eventually provide a reliable, consistent and stable free or low-cost clinic and recruit volunteers to assist with services. Time will tell whether Sherrard is able to bring this dream to life.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, she just completed her second year at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. Sherrard served as the American Student Dental Association Pre-Dental Chair, where she focused on bridging the gap between undergraduate students and organized dentistry through initiatives at her school. She facilitated workshops, discussions, and networking events to enhance student leaning and help instill in her peers a commitment to advocacy, collaboration and ethical practice. She also served as an executive member of ASDA and helped organize various community outreach programs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am really grateful for this scholarship from the MDA Foundation,\u201d Sherrard says. \u201cIt definitely makes a difference to me financially. I\u2019m so appreciative of everything that the MDA does for the dental community in Michigan and for the dental students at both schools.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;22120&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; img_link_target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1748371787978{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}&#8221; title=&#8221;\u2014 advertisement \u2014&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/bridgecommercialrealty.com\/MDA\/&#8221;][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=&#8221;22119&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; onclick=&#8221;custom_link&#8221; img_link_target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1748371848323{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}&#8221; title=&#8221;\u2014 advertisement \u2014&#8221; link=&#8221;https:\/\/choicetransitions.com\/&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]In April, Sherrard attended the Sparkling Smiles Celebration, one of the MDA Foundation\u2019s main fundraising events held in conjunction with the MDA Annual Session. There, she met other scholarship recipients and interacted with representatives from the Foundation, vendors, grant recipients and MDA staff. It was an exciting evening for her.<\/p>\n<p>The contributions of MDA members to the MDA Foundation make it possible for the Foundation to issue scholarships to future dentists and dental hygienists. Your generosity is helping the dreams of the next generation of dentists and leaders in the dental community to be realized. Perhaps one day soon, the Sherrard siblings will be able to establish their dental and health clinic in an underserved community and make a daily impact on the lives of Michigan residents. If they do, know that you had a hand in making that happen through your contributions to the MDA Foundation. Thank you![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1698696973333{margin-top: -40px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-color: #009ba7 !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;white-text&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] MDA Foundation Journal Column [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] $10K Grant to Utica Clinic Makes Quality Dental Care Possible By Anne Berquist Foundation Director of Development After 19 years of providing dental care to impoverished residents of Haiti through mission work, Dr. Robert Antolak and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":21409,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-template-full-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","protect_children":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-21476","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2025-11-17 18:17:47","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21476"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22663,"href":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21476\/revisions\/22663"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.michigandental.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}