HSDA Offers Oral Health Promotion at Inter-Professional Wellness Fair

Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine’s (GSDM) Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA) chapter collaborated with the Boston University School of Medicine to participate in the Inter-Professional Wellness Fair on Saturday, Oct 12, 2013.

Faculty sponsor and Director of Community-Based Education Dr. Ana Zea and eight students attended the Fair at the Julia Martin House in Jamaica Plain. The Fair’s primary goal was to provide access to and information about dental and medical services to the elderly residents of the House.

GSDM provided oral screenings to more than 30 people, as well as information on oral health topics relevant to seniors, such as good hygiene practices, dry mouth, denture care, smoking cessation, and oral cancer prevention.

Volunteers included: Jose Abrahantes DMD 17; William Alvarez, pre-dental student; Michelle DaRocha DMD 15; Ana De Feria DMD 17; Farhan Khan AS 15; Antonio Maceda-Johnson DMD 15; Maidelys Oliva DMD 14; and Diana Torres AS 15.

HSDA Vice President Antonio Maceda-Johnson found the Fair both educational and humbling. “After all the reading and studying, it was so gratifying to treat patients and use that knowledge to gain real hands-on experience,” said Maceda-Johnson. He continued, “A lot of them don’t regularly see a dentist so they were grateful that we were there. It made us realize how crucial it is to give back to our local communities to help improve these people’s health, and to let them know that we care.”

“I’m so pleased that several GSDM students participated in the Inter-Professional Wellness Fair,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “The Fair was a significant learning experience for them as students, and as future dentists who can and should give back to their local communities.”