Marshall Adzima, D.D.S., and Quinnie Phan, D.D.S., are familiar faces at the Fauquier Free Clinic, where they can be found laughing with other volunteers and treating patients in need.

“They bring a positive energy to the clinic. Everyone really feeds off that energy,” said Rob Marino, director of the Fauquier Free Clinic.

Phan and Adzima both completed their D.D.S. degree at VCU School of Dentistry in 2023. After graduation, they moved to Warrenton, Virginia together, where they started work in private practice. After completing their private practice commitments, they often volunteer at Fauquier Free Clinic where they treat patients and serve on the Dental Advisory Committee. 

For Phan and Adzima, it is the culmination of a lifelong dedication to helping others. And the best part is that they get to do it side-by-side.

This couple’s story starts before dental school. Both Phan and Adzima attended VCU for their undergraduate studies. They started out as friends with similar interests and an end goal of going to dental school. Phan recalls spending hours together studying for the Dental Admission Test (DAT) entrance exam. They supported each other through the application process and later through the entirety of dental school, ultimately becoming a couple during their third year of dental school.

“It was a really great connection that came from a shared passion,” Phan said.

Adzima first volunteered with Missions of Mercy as an undergraduate. He hoped to continue volunteering once he started dental school, but COVID-19 unfortunately shut down MOM operations for his first two years of school. As soon as the volunteer initiative restarted, Adzima and Phan were eager to join.

“I jumped in as soon as I could,” Adzima said. “Helping people get the oral healthcare they need is why I wanted to be a dentist. Missions of Mercy felt like the perfect way to do that. I’m really proud of it.”

For Adzima, it was also sentimental. The first MOM project he was able to participate in as a dental student was in his hometown, Warrenton.

“It was a full circle moment,” Adzima said. “I was so fortunate to be able to give back to the community that I grew up in.”

Michelle McGregor, R.D.H., B.S., M.Ed., director of community and collaborative partnerships and associate professor, serves as faculty overseer of the MOM projects. She noted Phan and Adzima’s strong work ethic.

“They were both very passionate about giving back and you can see that when they work,” McGregor said.

McGregor emphasized the benefits of volunteering and getting involved in the community as a dental student. She hopes that they will continue to help others and advocate for other people’s health post graduation as well.

“I’m really proud to see our students working so hard to help others,” McGregor said. “Between MOM projects, external rotations and service learning courses, our students are able to put themselves in other people’s shoes and become advocates for them.”

In April 2023, Phan and Adzima participated in a mission trip to Belize. There, they provided oral healthcare to a local village. Carol Caudill, D.D.S., assistant professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, served as the faculty overseer. 

“It was an eye-opening, immersive experience,” Phan said. “We worked mostly as pediatric dentists, which really solidified my comfort level with children.”

“We had a guide from the village named Pedro, who helped translate and show us around the village,” Adzima said. “I stay in touch with him to this day. Our mission really meant a lot to them and they definitely feel the absence.”

Volunteering opened up another opportunity for Phan and Adzima. While working at a MOM project, they met Marino, the director of Fauquier Free Clinic. After graduation, they reconnected with him and began volunteering at the free clinic.

“What is so remarkable is that they come here after a long day of work to help treat even more patients, this time for free. It’s a show of their character and their passion for helping others,” Marino said.

The free clinic provides dental care to low-income, uninsured patients in need, in addition to medical and mental health services. Marino, who has been a part of the clinic for 20 years, described the immense growth he has seen in the clinic’s practices. They now serve over 2,000 patients per year.

“The patient population is very grateful. They’re so appreciative of the care they’re receiving,” Adzima said. 

“I love that it’s not just dentistry. All those clinics work together, so it’s truly comprehensive care. It’s so special to be a part of that,” Phan said.

Phan and Adzima work at the clinic around four days per month in addition to serving on the Dental Advisory Committee. As members of the committee, they advise the clinic’s leadership on how to improve and expand dental care at the clinic.

“We’re able to show them that things like root canals and implants are possible in this capacity,” Phan said. “Our goal is to continue to open more doors here and give people the help they need.”

They have also further introduced digital dentistry to the clinic. Adzima and Phan credit their mentors, particularly Gustavo Mendonca, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D.,and Sorin Uram-Tuculescu, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D.,for teaching them about digital dentistry so that they could incorporate it into the clinic’s practice. Adzima also cites Terence Imbery, D.D.S., for instilling confidence in him as a clinician.

“I was able to become a confident clinician because of all my mentors,” Adzima said. “And it’s partly because of their guidance and mentorship that I’m able to do this at the free clinic.”

On the other hand, Phan cites Michael Healy, D.D.S., as a crucial mentor. He served as faculty advisor while Phan was the president of the American Student Dental Association at VCU.

“Dr. Healy gave me so much confidence in my leadership and problem-solving abilities,” Phan said. “I was president of ASDA during COVID, which was obviously unprecedented. Dr. Healy showed me that I can navigate any challenge and come out on the other side.”

Both emphasized the importance of acquiring mentorships and experiences during dental school.

“Take advantage of all the amazing faculty and their experience, once you’re out of school you’re more limited in your access to mentors,” Phan said.

They hope to become mentors and sources of inspiration to the next group of dental students. The duo hosted a group of dental students from VCU and Howard University at the free clinic, where they educated them on the clinic’s operations and gave them an opportunity to ask questions and socialize with other dental professionals.

“Marshall and Quinnie are exemplary leaders in the dental community,” Marino said. “It’s really great to have them in our corner and continue to elevate the clinic in new ways. I feel confident in this next generation.”

Their advice to current dental students?

“Stay in touch, keep learning and stay involved,” Adzima said.

“In school you have access to specialties, mentors and advisors, so take full advantage of that,” Phan said. “Try to continue to find that out in the community and seek out support networks and community within dentistry. Take every opportunity to keep growing.”