Hi, UM Griz Parents and Families! This week, we’re highlighting Dr. Colleen Ferriter, the Dental Director at Curry Health Center. Curry Health Center houses a full-service dental clinic offering routine exams, cleaning, and emergency services. Their goal is to ensure that students' oral health is excellent and free of pain or infection so they can succeed in school.
Q: How do dental services impact students’ success?
A: Curry Dental works to improve students’ oral health, which is an essential part of overall health and well-being. It’s important that students see a dentist every six months for a routine cleaning. By working to eliminate pain and prevent dental emergencies, Curry Dental allows students to fully prioritize their schoolwork and class attendance. Additionally, finding a new dentist can be extremely difficult when moving to a new city or state. Having dental services readily available to students on campus makes the search process much easier.
Q: What misconceptions do students have about Curry Dental?
A: One misconception is that Curry Dental doesn’t accept dental insurance. However, Curry Dental does accept most dental insurance, including Medicaid, and staff will help students submit their insurance information for reimbursement. They also see students who do not have dental insurance. Even for these students, Curry Dental services are significantly less expensive than other offices in the community, making care much more affordable for students.
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?
A: Colleen enjoys meeting students from different backgrounds, getting to know them, and finding ways to help them. She also loves it when patients are interested in what they can do to better their overall oral health. She enjoys educating these students and watching their health improve.
