Tucked away in Neff Hall, Room 109 on the Purdue Fort Wayne Campus, students and faculty at the IU Fort Wayne David A. Bleeke, DDS Dental Clinic are busy providing a vital service to the community while teaching and learning valuable lessons. The clinic is committed to providing quality preventive dental care at an affordable cost, while also helping prepare future dental professionals. "The biggest issue is people don't know we're here," says Dr. Steve Ellinwood, Director of the IU Fort Wayne Dental Clinic. "When Purdue Fort Wayne and IU Fort Wayne broke up, a lot of people thought we left, but we've been here the whole time." Dr. Steve Ellinwood, Director of the IU Fort Wayne Dental Clinic talks with WANE15's Pat Hoffmann. "A lot of students bring their mom and dad, their brother and sister, or other students from the campus." While many community members access these healthcare services, Ellinwood says the clinic has the capacity to serve more patients. "We see patients across all populations," he says. "Kids to adults. Medicaid, non-Medicaid patients. Medicare patients. We try and see everyone we can and serve the patient that might not always get the care that they need." With the combination of providing low-cost dental services to the community and developing the region’s healthcare talent pool, the clinic is a win-win situation for patients and students alike.  Instructor Julie Link consults with a student at the IU Fort Wayne Dental Clinic. "The students are observed and monitored and supervised for the entire process," says Julie Link, Adjunct Clinical Hygiene Instructor at IU Fort Wayne. "It's something that is very precise and safe for the students and the patients as well." "I really enjoy how we get hands on experience," says third year dental student Naila Muhamedagic. "You have experienced dental hygienists that guide you through. Gaining this experience has definitely helped us get better through each patient." Dental student Naila Muhamedagic talks with WANE15's Pat Hoffmann. "They literally go from not necessarily having a lot of dental knowledge, to treating patients," says Ellinwood. "It's a long process. They have to get to their second or third year before they see patients." "You definitely learn a lot," says Colin Diehm, a patient getting his regular cleaning. "I think you learn a little more than at a regular dental office because they're learning and teaching you at the same time." "I fell in love with it," says Muhamedagic. "It's very rewarding seeing them smile, because the first thing you notice about someone is their teeth." "We really want to instill in our students the importance of loving and caring for their patients," says Link. "Yes, they're seeing these patients and they're receiving checkoffs and meeting requirements, but we want them to love their patients too." "We always say, when you love your patients, everything else takes care of itself." Adjunct Faculty Instructor Julie Link talks with WANE15's Pat Hoffmann. Muhamedagic couldn't agree more. "To be able to hear back from someone and be like, wow, these simple things you have taught me made such a difference in my oral health, and really my overall health. To see that direct positive impact that you have made just puts a smile to your face." Which is really what it's all about. For pricing information, clinic hours and a list of services, visit the IU Fort Wayne David A. Bleeke, DDS Dental Clinic website. To schedule an appointment, you can call (260)257-6826.