Delivering high-quality dental care in an academic setting requires thoughtful coordination across people, spaces and systems. At the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Dental Medicine, the CareFirst initiative brings those elements into closer alignment through two longstanding clinical priorities: providing outstanding oral healthcare with a patient-centered focus and training the most practice-ready providers.
While there are many components to the CareFirst initiative, organizing the Dental Team Care Clinic around consistent teams for holistic treatment is one that allows CU Anschutz Dental to create an environment where collaboration is more intentional, training better reflects real-world practice, and the patient experience is more seamless.
Clearer, More Navigable Patient Experience
The new clinic practice model, which includes the assignment of comprehensive care patients to one of four dental teams, increases consistency and predictability to the clinical experience for patients. Over time, familiarity with both the environment and the care team creates a greater sense of comfort and confidence.
Associate Professor Sophia Khan, DDS, noted that this familiarity changes the nature of patient interactions. “As patient-provider relationships develop, visits become more personal and we as providers are able to get to know patients more fully,” she said. “That continuity supports stronger communication and a better overall experience for everyone.”
The result is a clinic environment that feels more organized and approachable. Patients receive dental care with greater ease, supported by a team that knows them and truly understands their needs.
The school has always offered affordable dental care, and this model has expanded that commitment by offering current patients more holistic treatment plans.
Since the CareFirst initiative was launched two years ago, the school’s Google rating has increased with positive reviews from patients like Sandra D., who said, “I had such a great experience with my dental provider. From the very beginning, she made me feel comfortable, listened to my concerns, and explained every step of the process in a way that was easy to understand. Dental visits can be nerve-wracking, but her kindness, patience, and professionalism really put me at ease.”
Collaborative Care Delivery
A positive patient experience is supported by how care teams are structured and work together behind the scenes.
At the center of the CareFirst initiative is a team-based model, where faculty and students collaborate more closely on treatment planning and decision-making. Teams align around shared plans and goals for each patient, and remain engaged throughout the course of treatment. This continuity helps ensure that care moves forward with greater clarity and fewer disconnects.
Khan said, “The environment feels more unified and supportive, with faculty and students working together in ways that are visible and reassuring to our patients. The result is not only a more consistent approach to treatment, but also a stronger sense of trust in the care team.”
Practice-Based Learning Environment
The same structure that supports patient care also shapes how students learn. Working within consistent teams allows students to build stronger relationships with faculty, receive more individualized guidance and develop clinical judgment over time.
For recent graduate Riley Spillar, DDS ’26, that consistency changes the way learning happens. She explained, “Because I worked with the same faculty during my time in the clinics, they were better able to recognize my strengths, interests and areas for growth – they knew what I needed.”
Riley Spillar, DDS '26, examining a patient in the CU Anschutz Dental Team Care Clinic
In this supportive learning dynamic, students are given appropriate levels of independence while still having clear guidance when needed. Over time, that balance helps build confidence and prepares students to take on increasingly complex cases.
Importantly, the CareFirst model reflects how care is delivered in practice. Students experience team-based workflows, shared responsibility and the coordination required to move patients through treatment. In doing so, they are not only developing clinical skills but also learning how to function within a professional care environment.
As an academic institution, CU Anschutz Dental is committed to meeting the highest standards in dental education and patient care. Through CareFirst, and grounded in continuous improvement, the school is strengthening collaboration, aligning training with practice and creating a more seamless experience that ultimately benefits both patients and students.
Interested in becoming a patient at CU Anschutz Dental? Request a new patient appointment to learn which of our clinics may be the best fit for your dental care needs.
Top photo: Students Olivia Clark (DDS Class of 2027) and Saja Adouri (ISP Class of 2026) with Associate Professor Timothy Luke Wezeman, DDS, MAT
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