The Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival took place on Saturday, September 16, 2017 in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and was yet another example of exemplary community service by the students and faculty of the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM). Seven predoctoral students, faculty, and a predental student spent their Saturday promoting oral health and representing the mission of GSDM. This volunteer opportunity was organized by the GSDM chapter of the Asian Dental Student Organization (ADSO).
The day began at 3:00 p.m. and lasted until the early evening. The group from GSDM provided a wide range of oral health promotion, education, and age appropriate activities to the families that attended the event. It was an excellent way to share their expertise with children, adults, and elders while serving as a role model to the community, all free of charge.
The volunteers from GSDM were: Shahil Amin DMD 20; Iris Chan (predental), Christine Chiao DMD 19; Hilury Ha DMD 20; Danny Nguyen DMD 19; Khanti Tjiang DMD 18; and Dr. Wanpeng Zu, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Periodontology.
The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is organized by the Vietnamese American Community of Massachusetts and the Vietnamese-American Community Network at Thang Long (VACN). This was the Sixth Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, a holiday celebrated in Vietnam and in Vietnamese communities across the nation. Also known as the Children’s Festival, all children in Dorchester and their families were invited to join in the festivities and learn about this special holiday. Family-friendly games, face painting, lantern-making and music were highlights for the attendees. Local food vendors were also on hand to showcase their favorite treats.