GSDM volunteers at the Notre Dame Educational Center
On Thursday, Feb 26, 2015, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) students volunteered at the Notre Dame Educational Center (NDEC) Dental Health Fair. Co-chairs of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) Ingy Alhelawe DMD 15 and Lana Le DMD 16 organized the event in collaboration with Oral Health Promotion Director Ms. Kathy Lituri and the School’s Office of Global and Population Health (GPH).
At an educational table with posters promoting oral health, GSDM students provided information and answers to NDEC students’ questions. They also gave one-on-one oral health instructions, demonstrated flossing, and had visitors practice on a model.
“My colleagues and I were also able to use knowledge learned from the classroom and skills acquired from our GSDM Patient Treatment Centers to perform oral cancer screening at NDEC,” said Le. “It was a fulfilling experience, and we all had a great time.” In total, the students completed 26 screenings.
Since NDEC students are also eligible to enroll in the Boston University GSDM student dental health plan, the benefits were explained. Five NDEC students, who had been screened, sat with a GSDM student and signed up online for the plan.
“It is always a pleasure to attend the NDEC,” said Lituri. “The staff is so nice and they care so much for the students who are all very appreciative and easy to engage. We always leave there with such a nice warm feeling.”
Since 1849, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namu have provided educational services to those in need in the South Boston community. In 1992, they founded the Notre Dame Educational Center—an adult basic education center that provides students the opportunity to learn English, obtain their High School diploma or HiSET certificate, and/or receive their U.S. citizenship. They also help students learn the necessary skills to attain a better or new job, or enter post-secondary education.
“As a first generation American, I feel a special connection to the students at the NDEC and am extremely humbled by the opportunity to provide free oral screenings and hygiene education to these students,” said Treasurer of ASDA Monica Schmidt DMD 17. “Volunteering at events such as this, challenged by the presence of language barriers, reminds us of the comfort conveyed through a friendly smile and the desire to improve the wellbeing of others.”
Volunteers were: Ingy Alhelawe DMD 15, Amrit Basi DMD 16, McAllister Castelaz DMD 17, Joe Deschene DMD 16, Anna Komnatnaya DMD 16, Lana Le DMD 16, Hyunah Lee DMD 16, Oral Health Promotion Director Ms. Kathy Lituri, Alyssa Mazzoli DMD 16, Nikkita Muwanguzi DMD 17, Mike Navy DMD 16, Monica Schmidt DMD 17, Neha Singh DMD 17, and Ian Teng DMD 16.