NSU CDM Impressions Fall/Winter 2019

34 | COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE Harry Lehrer, D.M.D., M.S.Ed., has just started to talk about his role at the NSU College of Dental Medicine (CDM) when he is politely interrupted by Serena Ghodasra, a fourth-year (D4) dental student. She and her third-year (D3) assistant have completed their initial examina- tion on a patient who walked into the CDM’s Urgent Care Clinic that morning with an abscess on his gums. The dental students discovered a loose crown and possible other complications and would like Lehrer’s advice on how to proceed. “Doc L,” as he is affectionately known, takes a quick look at the patient and gives the students some instructions. They then continue their dental work, independently and confidently. Three of the four chairs in the Urgent Care Clinic are occupied that day with patients who have come seeking immediate attention and relief from various dental ailments. During the next 90 minutes, the rhythm continues much as it started. Lehrer chats in a relaxed manner, popping up from time to time to assist with anesthesia, consult on the correct instrument to use, or answer students’ questions. While the back and forth between Lehrer and the students is the norm, Doc L said there’s no such thing as a typical day in the Urgent Care Clinic. “You never know the type of patients you’re going to see,” he said, adding that that’s exactly what he and the students appreciate about this unique setup. The CDM’s Urgent Care Clinic opened in August 2016 to serve patients who required emergency dental care. Lehrer, an associate professor in the CDM’s Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, was tapped to be the director. “When they asked if I would do it, I said yes, not only because I knew it would be good for the community, but also for the students. This is a learning facility that provides typical dental office scenarios,” said Lehrer, who has been with NSU for more than 17 years. Since it opened, the Urgent Care Clinic has seen more than 2,500 walk-in patients, including a mugging victim and those with tooth fractures, infections, and jaw-joint discomfort. In addition, the facility provides treatment for dental emergencies, such as a patient with a chipped tooth needing to attend an important function that day. Most patients are experiencing discomfort, and the first order of business is to alleviate their pain and assess their needs, Lehrer said. If patients require services beyond the scope of the predoctoral stu- dents, they are referred to one of the postdoctoral facilities. The D4 and D3 students in the Urgent Care Clinic handle a wide BY ELLEN WOLFSON VALLADARES FACULTY IMPRESSIONS From Urgent Care to Psi Omega to the Courtroom “ If I think a student will benefit from doing a procedure, no matter the difficulty, I’m going to show them what to do, and I’m not going to micromanage them.” —HARRY LEHRER “DOC L” DOES IT ALL (continued on page 36) FACULTY Impressions