In a world where some social groups still struggle to access oral health services, the International University of Catalonia (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, UIC Barcelona) is launching a scheme that combines academic training with practical training in a clinic. Through its project Caring for Smiles, Changing Lives, the Faculty of Dentistry offers oral healthcare to people referred to it from social institutions, in addition to providing students with an educational experience where they can learn from real-life patient care.
This programme, organised by the Faculty of Dentistry and its University Clinic, and supported by the Banco Sabadell Foundation, offers oral healthcare to people at risk of social exclusion, whilst also promoting healthy life habits through workshops and community actions. The objective is two-fold: to improve the lives of disadvantaged groups, and to train future dentistry professionals with a comprehensive, empathetic and devoted approach.
Patients who require more complex treatment are referred to the University Clinic of Dentistry at UIC Barcelona, where professors and students work side by side to ensure good-quality care, based on scientific evidence and respect of each individual’s dignity.
“Being part of the social dentistry project has been an unforgettable experience that has brought me in contact with a wide range of realities, allowing me to understand the true value of our profession: to improve the lives of people through care and commitment.“ Olga Miralles Brugués, fifth year Dentistry student
Since it was launched, Caring for Smiles, Changing Lives has seen the active participation of 420 final year Dentistry students and 80 professors, consolidating this as a unique training experience. This immersion in the social reality allows students not only to develop technical skills, but also to learn values such as empathy, responsibility and civic duty.
Founded in 1997, UIC Barcelona is a university with a clear vocation for serving the community. With two campuses—one in Barcelona and the other in Sant Cugat del Vallès—and a broad and international range of academic courses, the university stands out due to its connection to the professional and business world. Its three university clinics—the University Clinic of Dentistry, Support (Psychology and Psychiatry), and Cuides (offering support for advanced diseases and palliative care)—are a tangible testament to its commitment to training focused on people.
With projects such as Caring for Smiles, Changing Lives, UIC Barcelona demonstrates that higher education can be much more than the simple transfer of knowledge, it can be a powerful tool to build a fairer, healthier and more humane society.
