GSDM Muslim Student Association Organizes First Healthy Smile, Healthy You Event

On Saturday, October 25, 2014, the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Muslim Student Association (MSA), in collaboration with the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center (ISBCC), organized the first Healthy Smile, Healthy You event for the local community.

Located in Roxbury, Massachusetts and built in 2002, the ISBCC is the largest Islamic center in New England, and the second largest on the East Coast. The 70,000 square foot structure is not just a mosque, but a dynamic cultural center that is designed to serve the entire community.

The aim of the Muslim Student Association at GSDM is to foster a sense of unity among students regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or origin. MSA’s mission is to hold service-oriented, educational, and social events to promote religious and cultural awareness among students, faculty, staff and the greater community of Boston. As future healthcare providers, the members of MSA are dedicated to making a difference within the communities of Boston, while striving to embrace Islamic values and culture.

At the event, 31 GSDM students, faculty, and volunteers provided a wide range of oral health promotion and education, age appropriate activities such as “celebrity smiles” and brushing puppet teeth, as well as screenings and referrals to over 57 attendees.

“The Healthy Smile, Healthy You event at the ISBCC provided a rewarding opportunity to connect Muslim dental students at Boston University with the greater Boston Muslim community,” said Mohamed Bayoumy DMD 16. “By providing oral health education as well as dental screenings, students were able to apply their dental education to directly make a positive impact on a community that has been a constant support system for many of us throughout the years.”

Volunteers included: Emad Abdallah DMD 17, Passant Abdel Megeed AS 15, Layla Abuljadayel DPH 17, Ahmed Al Najjar DMD 16, Mishali Alsharief DPH 17, Fahad Alkhtani PROS 16, Amr Aly DMD 17, Wajiha Amer AS 16, Rizwan Baig AS 16, Mohamed Bayoumy DMD 16, Yousef Behbehani DMD 16, Clinical Instructor in the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research Dr. Lina Bensilmane, Director of Advanced Specialty Education Program in Endodontics Dr. Sami Chogle, Sara Elashaal DMD 17, Mona Hatami AEGD 15, Hasan Husaini AS 16, Faryal Hussain DMD 17, Mina Jassam DMD 18, Ahmed Jawad DMD 16, Salman Khanani DMD 16, Courtney Knapik DMD 16, Oral Health Promotion Director Ms. Kathy Lituri, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Global & Population Health Dr. Mohammad Mourad, Sana Munshi DMD 17, Mona Najafi DMD 16, Sara Najafi DMD 17, Nora Nakshabendi DMD 16, Marium Qureshi AS 15, Lemma Salem (Pre-Dental), Yousef Sidki DMD 17, and Laila Uddin DMD 17.

“The Healthy Smiles, Healthy You event was a success at multiple levels, giving the students and faculty a chance to volunteer in the community and form new bonds.,” said Director of the Advanced Specialty Education Program in Endodontics Dr. Sami Chogle. He continued, “The event was extremely well received by the ISBCC and commendations were made on the dedication and organization of the dental team that visited the center. As a result, the ISBCC has given GSDM an open invitation to revisit the center and provide screenings on a larger scale. I believe this could be the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between ISBCC and BU.”

Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter, said, “Thank you to all of the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine volunteers who participated in this important event.” He continued, “I also want to express my appreciation for GSDM’s Muslim Student Association members for initiating the first Healthy Smile, Healthy You event for the local community.”

Photos of the Healthy Smile, Healthy You event can be found on Facebook and Flickr.

Photos are also available on ISBCC’s Facebook page.