On Saturday, March 10, 2018, the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine participated in its first Global Days of Service event at the Consulate General of Colombia in Boston. The event, titled, “Healthy Smiles, Healthy Families, Sonrisas Saludables, Familias Saludables,” drew six volunteers from GSDM.
Boston University’s Global Days of Service is an approximately one-month-long annual event that allows alumni, students, residents, faculty, staff, and friends from all areas of the Boston University network to give back to their local, national, and international communities. At GSDM, Global & Population Health and Alumni Relations coordinate many volunteer opportunities designed specifically for our GSDM family.
The “Healthy Smiles, Healthy Families,” was aimed at promoting proper oral health and practices in the local Colombian community. GSDM volunteers used a bilingual approach to discuss the impacts of diabetes, tobacco use, diet and nutrition on oral health.
GSDM volunteers also handed out brochures and pamphlets in English and Spanish that provided information on MassHealth dental benefits; information on Rhode Island and New Hampshire Medicaid dental visits; and information on school-based dental programs in Boston, Chelsea, Framingham and Lawrence. The volunteers also had hands-on and interactive stations for the younger attendees, and over 100 toothbrushes and toothpaste to give away.
The GSDM volunteers at the Colombian Consulate were: Jesus Mendez MED 18, Ana de Feria DMD 18, Emilia Smith DMD 18, Laura Daza DMD 20, Dr. Ana Zea, Director of Community-Based Education in the Office of Global & Population Health, and Nicholas Canal (guest).