GSDM Volunteers Provide Oral Health Education and Care at Dominican Health Fair

Volunteers at the Dominican Health Fair (l-r): Margi Chan DMD 16, Yanling Liu AS 15, Vanessa Thai DMD 16, Ellen Yang (intern), Ashish Papneja DMD 15, Research Dental Assistant Nikou Noworouzi, Keenan Sandouk (intern), and Alyssa Mazzoli DMD 16
Volunteers at the Dominican Health Fair (l-r): Margi Chan DMD 16, Yanling Liu AS 15, Vanessa Thai DMD 16, Ellen Yang (intern), Ashish Papneja DMD 15, Research Dental Assistant Nikou Noworouzi, Keenan Sandouk (intern), and Alyssa Mazzoli DMD 16

On Friday, August 8, 2014, Dr. Corinna Culler, Director of School-Based Programs within the Division of Community Health Programs along with eight  Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) student and staff volunteers promoted oral health awareness and GSDM’s dental services at the Dominican Festival Health Fair at Mozart Park in Jamaica Plain.

The Dominican Health Fair is an annual outdoor event open to the public, and this year marked the first time GSDM participated in the community event. It turned out to be a great success due to the large number of attendees who took time to visit the many tables staffed by various health related organizations.

On this beautiful summer day, GSDM volunteers manned three tables—one for registration, one for screenings, and another for children’s activities. They provided information on proper brushing, flossing, diet, and prevention (fluoride, mouth guards, sealants, etc.) to better educate families about the importance of oral health. In addition to providing a wide variety of pamphlets on oral health conditions and handing out toothbrushes and paste for both adults and students, the volunteers provided dental screenings as well as fun and interactive age appropriate activities, such as creating tooth necklaces with the children.  

“I had a great experience at the Dominican Festival Health Fair,” said Margi Chan DMD 16. “To be able to engage a child in her very first lesson on flossing and to see the children’s faces light up when they understand something new about teeth is exactly why I find dentistry so rewarding. It’s the incredible connection we as dentists can make with people from all cultures, backgrounds, and walks of life.”

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter said, “I commend the faculty, students, and staff who volunteered their time at the Dominican Festival Health Fair.” He continued, “These individuals truly represent the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine’s culture and mission to educate and provide much needed awareness about the importance of oral health in our local communities.”

The volunteers included: Margi Chan DMD 16, Dr. Corinna Culler, Yanling Liu AS 15, Alyssa Mazzoli DMD 16, Research Dental Assistant Nikou Noworouzi, Ashish Papneja DMD 15, Keenan Sandouk (intern from Sargent College), Vanessa Thai DMD 16, and Ellen Yang (a summer intern with the Academic Internship Council Boston University Summer Study Internship Program).

Share this: