GSDM Hosts Elementary School Field Trips

On June 17 and 19, three groups of second and third grade students visited the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) for a fun-filled day of dental education and activities led by students, faculty, and staff at GSDM.

The second and third grade students came from three area schools: Orchard Gardens in Roxbury, William Blackstone Elementary in the South End, and Tynan Elementary School in South Boston.

The three field trips took place during two days at GSDM. On June 17, second grade students from Orchard Gardens arrived at GSDM at 9 a.m. ready to learn about being a dentist  from  dental students, faculty and staff.

After a brief welcome and healthy eating presentation, the students took a trip to the Simulation Learning Center (SLC) to learn more about oral health care and its associated professions. In a game of “dress-up,” the children were helped into protective gowns, masks, and (later) gloves. The educational activities included a hand-washing exercise performed by muddying two colors of glitter in a handshake; creating a thumb impression; and a demonstration in which the children brushed soda-soaked potato chips first from a plain walnut and then a sealant-coated walnut, comparing the results.

Several GSDM students even dressed up as wacky characters such as: Captain Cavity Fighter, Lieutenant Fluoride, and the Tooth Fairy.

After the activities in the SLC wrapped up, the Orchard Gardens students had lunch on the Talbot Green and headed back to school equipped with new and exciting knowledge about dental health.

Two days later, on June 19, third grade students from both William Blackstone Elementary and Tynan Elementary School arrived at GSDM ready to participate in the same fun-filled day of dental activities, and to see the GSDM students dressed up as the entertaining dental health characters.

After a similar welcome and healthy eating presentation, the students traveled to the SLC to participate in the same interactive and educational activities. After a lunch on the Talbot Green, the students from William Blackstone Elementary and Tynan Elementary School departed with a deeper knowledge of dentistry and oral health.

“The second and third grade students who visited GSDM received a fantastic education in basic dental hygiene and oral health,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “I would like to thank the members of the GSDM community who volunteered to help provide these children with a very memorable and educational experience.”

The GSDM student participants were:

Assal Abdossalehi DMD 16; Jose Abrahantes DMD 17; William Alvarez AS 16; Monique Alves DMD 17; McAlister Castelaz DMD 17; Shelby Curtis DMD 16; Ana De La Feria DMD 18; Joe Deschene DMD 16; Debbie Desravines DMD 17; Jobren Dingle DMD 17; Michael Farag AS 16; Zhan Huang AS 16; Sally Jacob DMD 17; Delaney Jorgensen DMD 18; Ana Keohane AS 16; Pardis Koleni DMD 18; Mahzad Koochaki DMD 18; Izzy Korobkin DMD 16; Naomi La DMD 16; Andrea Lam DMD 16; Andre Lugo Other 16; Matt Mara DMD 16; Alyssa Mazzoli DMD 16; Nikkita Muwanguzi DMD 17; Nora Nakshabendi DMD 16; Ifeanyichukwu Okoye AS 16; Oren Sudai DMd 16; Pam Terlizzi Other; Vanessa Thai DMD 16; Jamie Waller DMD 18