Central ND News

Bismarck State College (BSC) has inaugurated Mystic Smiles Dental Clinic, the first pediatric dental clinic of its kind in North Dakota. Located at 210 W. Century Avenue in Bismarck, this college-owned and operated non-profit facility aims to address the need for accessible pediatric dental care while also serving as a training ground for new dental programs at BSC.

“Mystic Smiles represents the best of our polytechnic mission,” said BSC Interim President Dan Leingang during the opening ceremony. He emphasized that the clinic will expand access to children's dental care, tackle workforce shortages, and provide practical learning opportunities for students.

The clinic offers services to children from birth through age 13, including those with special needs. It accepts Medicaid and various insurance plans, with an income-based sliding fee scale available for uninsured families to ensure no child is denied care due to cost.

Community providers had previously identified Medicaid billing as a barrier to providing necessary services. “Mystic Smiles was built to meet that challenge head-on," Leingang stated. "We are intentionally equipped to handle Medicaid billing so that children covered under those plans are not left behind.”

Dr. Tegwyn Brickhouse leads the clinic as the in-house pediatric dentist, bringing extensive experience in both dentistry and education. She highlighted her commitment to preventive care and family empowerment: “I became a pediatric dentist not just to fix teeth but to build trust, empower families, and help children thrive.”

The establishment of Mystic Smiles resulted from partnerships aimed at combining service with education. Dr. Katie Stewart of SDY Dental initiated discussions on addressing workforce shortages in North Dakota's dental sector after noting that 98% of state dentists reported such shortages.

Stewart remarked on her collaboration with BSC: “To my delight, they were already strategizing how to start a program... I was immediately impressed with BSC’s willingness to think outside the box.”

In memory of Dr. Bob Schindler, Stewart saw an opportunity in repurposing their existing clinic space while contributing toward resolving workforce needs.

Mystic Smiles will evolve into a teaching practice over the next year, integrating hands-on training within BSC's dental pathway programs.

Tammy King of Bridging the Dental Gap underscored the significance of this initiative: “This clinic is more than just a building; it stands for compassion and a commitment to serving those who might otherwise go without care.”

The opening event concluded with recognition from Interim President Leingang for contributions by various individuals and organizations involved in realizing Mystic Smiles’ vision.

For further details about Mystic Smiles Dental Clinic, visit bismarckstate.edu/MysticSmiles.