La Maestra Community Health Care - El Cajon Main Clinic

Student - Nat Eng, Class of 2026. Picture taken by Glenn Marzano.

San Diego, California

Community Health Centers of the Central Coast - Lompoc Clinic

Student - Anand Bhalodi, Class of 2025

Lompoc, California

University of Southern California

Ostrow Community Clinic selective student Graduates, Class of 2026

USC Village, California

Free Clinic of Simi Valley

Student - Nadine Shaker, Class of 2026

Simi Valley, California

Ostrow Community Clinic Selective

Students - Jason Zhang, Nat Eng, Jack Tan, Jason Chang. Class of 2026

Multiple Locations, California

Service · Learning · Impact

Real dentistry.
Real communities.

A hands-on clinical rotation for D4 DDS and ASPID 2nd year students at community-based clinics. Gain practical skills, network with community dentists, and serve underserved populations while earning EU credit. Apply now for a unique service-learning opportunity in community dentistry.

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Sign in through USC Single Sign-On (SSO) to access your account.

Interested D4 or ASPID 2nd year student?
Contact Dr. Dan Romo
Problems logging in? Contact nyanez@usc.edu

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medical_services Hands-On Clinical Experience
assignment_turned_in Earn Graduation Requirements Credits
dentistry Multiple Opportunities Available

About the Program

Community-Based Clinical Education

The CBCE program connects Ostrow students with real-world dental care environments, building clinical confidence, cultural competency, and career clarity.

Free Clinic Of Simi Valley

Student - Nellie Manoukian, class 2025

Simi Valley, California

The Community-Based Clinical Educational (CBCE) program facilitates selected students to work in partnering community clinics offering distinct learning experiences in underserved communities.

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)Comprehensive health centers serving low-income and uninsured populations with subsidized dental care.
Non-profit community clinicsVolunteer-driven organizations providing care to underserved communities.
Real-world community experienceReal-world dental experiences that can shape your career pathway in community dentistry

Why Apply

Benefits of the Selective

Gain hands-on clinical experience, build your network, earn graduation requirements credit, and serve underserved populations — while exploring a meaningful career in community dentistry.

Westlake, 3rd Street

Altamed General Pediatrics and Dental Group

Los Angeles, California

grade

Graduation requirements credits

Earn credits towards graduation requirements (e.g. pedo requirements, direct restorations, and more qualifying procedures)

medical_services

Hands-On Clinical Experience

"Real world" clinical experiences including working with dental assistants and managing a real patient schedule.

handshake

Learn from Community Dentists

See if a career in community dentistry is right for you and network with practicing community dentists.

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Serve Underserved Populations

Provide services to underserved and vulnerable communities in partnership with FQHCs and nonprofit clinics.

Student Requirements

How to Qualify

This is a competitive, selective program. Here's what you need to be considered.

National City Clinic

La Maestra Community Health Center

National City, California

D4 or ASPID 2nd year StudentMust be a D4 (Trimesters 9-11) or ASPID 2nd year (Trimesters 4-6) student in good standing.
Clinical Competency RequiredMust provide a current Clinical Accomplishment Report (EUs). Click here for specific clinical requirements.
GPD Approval RequiredYour Group Practice Director must approve and sign your application before proceeding.
Formal InterviewA formal will be schedule with Dr. Dan Romo as part of the application process.
Academic Affairs Final ApprovalAcademic Affairs provides final approval for all selective rotation placements.
DON'T MEET REQUIREMENTS YET?If you don't meet the requirements but are truly interested in a selective rotation, contact Dr. Dan Romo to discuss your situation.
Contact Dr. Dan Romo →

Available Rotations

Choose Your Clinic

Four community clinic and FQHC partners, six clinic sites across Southern California — each offering a distinct clinical environment and patient population.

AltaMed Westlake General Clinic

nest_clock_farsight_analog 4 weeks

Students attend 2 days a week for a 4-week rotation

Learn to manage a patient schedule while working with a dental assistant

Family dentistry focus

Students typically treat an average of 5 patients per day

15 minutes from campus

location_on Westlake, Los Angeles CA

AltaMed Westlake Pediatric Clinic

nest_clock_farsight_analog 4 weeks

Students attend 2 days a week for a 4-week rotation

Develop skills in treating children (ages 0-20), including special needs patients

Great rotation whether pursuing general or pediatric dentistry

Learn to manage a patient schedule while working with a dental assistant

Students typically treat an average of 7 patients per day

15 minutes from campus

location_on Westlake, Los Angeles CA

CHCCC Lompoc Clinic

nest_clock_farsight_analog 1-4 weeks

1-4 week rotations

Learn to manage a patient schedule while working with a dental assistant

A clinical experience that provides a more measured pace of patient care

Housing and transportation provided by USC

location_on Lompoc, California Central Coast

La Maestra Clinics

nest_clock_farsight_analog 3-4 weeks

3-4 week rotations, requires 2 students per rotation

Learn to manage a patient schedule while working with a dental assistant

Strong clinical skills required for this fast-paced rotation

Housing and transportation reimbursement provided by USC

Students typically treat an average of 7 patients per day

location_on San Diego, El Cajon, & National City. CA

Simi Valley Free Clinic

nest_clock_farsight_analog 4-6 weeks (Temporarily closed)

4-6 week rotation, Wednesdays 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (depending on class schedule)

Students provide exams, restorative care, extractions, and emergency procedures

Students typically treat 3-4 patients per day

Learn to manage a patient schedule while working with a dental assistant

location_on Simi Valley, CA

FAQ

Common Questions

What is Ostrow Community Clinics Selective?
The Community Clinics Dental Selective is a service-learning clinic experience program for Ostrow D4/ASPID 2 students who want to gain “real world” clinical experience, while serving underserved populations.
Who is the Selective Program for?
Eligible DDS students (Trimesters 9-11) and ASPID students (Trimesters 4-6) who meet required clinical competencies and complete the application process may be considered for a selective rotation. Selection is subject to approval by the GPD, Dr. Dan Romo, and Academic Affairs.
Contact Dr. Dan Romo for more information (dvr_620@ostrow.usc.edu).
What are the specific clinical requirements for students?
  • Minimum 60 Operatives EU's (not including assists)
  • 6-8 Class II Composites
  • 2-3 Class III Composites
  • 6-7 Scaling and Root Planings
  • 5 Sealants
  • 5 Simple Extractions
What should I do if I don't meet the clinical requirements?
If you don't have requirements, but are truly interested in a selective rotation, contact Dr. Dan Romo to discuss your situation.
Do my mandatory days prevent me from going on a selective rotation?
No, if you are approved by Academic Affairs, you are released from mandatory days during your selective rotation
I'm a ASPID 2nd year student (trimester 4,5,6) and I don't meet the clinical requirements yet. What can I do?
If you are interested in the selective, set up a meeting with Dr. Dan Romo to discuss your situation.
Can I go on more than one rotation?
It may be possible, but depends on rotation availability.
How many community clinics are part of the selective?
There are currently four Community Clinic and Federally Qualified Health Center clinic partners, and six clinic sites.
What kind of procedures do students perform and does it count toward graduation?
Procedures that count toward graduation credit include:
  • Pedo credit for all qualifying procedures (pedo-exams, prophies, fluoride, extractions, pulp/SSCs, direct restorations, etc)
  • EU credit for direct restorations
  • Other EU qualifying procedures

Ready to Make an Impact?

Join the next cohort of Ostrow students gaining real-world clinical experience while serving communities across Southern California.