The College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics will be presented with the 2016 Underserved Champion Award by the Iowa Primary Care Association (Iowa PCA), which acknowledges commitment to providing access to quality, affordable health care for all Iowans.

The Iowa PCA is a non-profit membership association comprised of state Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), also known as community health centers, in serving Iowans.

The College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics has provided oral health services to the state of Iowa for 133 years. Current collegiate outreach programs include addressing the needs of children, seniors, patients with special needs, and others.

Ted Boesen, CEO of the Iowa PCA, recognized the importance of the college's collaboration with their organization and with Iowa FQHCs.

College of Dentistry Dean David Johnsen says, "We are honored to receive this milestone award from the Iowa Primary Care Association and proud of our effort to deliver care to the underserved." He added that the college's dental education program strives to instill a responsibility of treating those dental patients who are less fortunate. 

The college currently engages in more than 25 outreach programs, and dental faculty, students, residents, and staff have annually participated in the Iowa Mission of Mercy (IMOM), a two-day free dental clinic event sponsored by the Iowa Dental Association.