GSDM ADSO Volunteers at Vietnamese New Year Festival

On Sunday, January 31, 2016, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) students volunteered at the 2016 Tet in Boston event, an annual Vietnamese New Year festival organized by the Vietnamese-American Community of Massachusetts and New England Intercollegiate Vietnamese Student Association.

GSDM’s Asian Dental Student Organization (ADSO) has participated in Tet in Boston for more than a decade. “Tet” is short for “Tet Nguyen Dan” which means “Feast of the First Morning of the First Day.” It marks the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar and the beginning of spring.

The Tet in Boston event took place at Lombardo’s in Randolph, Massachusetts. The event drew more than 8,000 people of all ages who enjoyed family-friendly activities, delicious food, and a concert.

At the dental table at the 2016 event, volunteers promoted oral health with kid-friendly activities such as the “Celebrity Smiles” game and the decorating of tooth necklaces. Using visuals, they also provided instructions on how to brush and floss teeth, and provided other dental care information. In addition, toothbrushes and toothpaste were handed out.

“The 2016 Tet in Boston event was certainly a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain firsthand experience promoting oral health in the community, while also participating in a wonderful annual cultural celebration,” said Ms. Kathy Litrui, Clinical Instructor in the Department of Health Policy & Health Services Research and Oral Health Promotion Director.

GSDM Student Volunteers:

Jonathan Kuang DMD 17; Jae Kwak DMD 16; Jimmy Li DMD 17; Alex Nguyen DMD 17; Danny Nguyen DMD 19; Jeremy Nguyen DMD 18; Wenyu Qu DMD 17; Joanna Song DMD 17; Will Wang DMD 17; Lee Wu DMD 17; Tiphannie Yin DMD 17.

Photos from the Tet in Boston event can be found on Facebook and Flickr.