Give Kids A Smile Event – Brooklyn, NY (March 2024)
This event was kindly sponsored by Colgate. The event was held from 9am to 3pm for children ranging from ages 5 to12. We were able to get additional pediatric experience and showcase our skills through this event. We provided services such as extraoral and intraoral examinations, dental charting for primary and mixed dentitions, scalings (as needed), and engine-polishing and flossing. Additional services such as pits and fissures sealant placements and 5% fluoride varnish applications were done as needed and accompanied by parental consent.
Aside from the dental care aspect, these children were also able to get vision and hearing care. The Colgate team also set up an area for photos and oral hygiene education for children using props such as stuffed animals, typodonts and large toothbrushes.
Community Service Learning Project – N.E.S.T Food Pantry: Brooklyn, NY (February, 2024)
My classmates and I visited the N.E.S.T food pantry to promote healthy eating and oral health. Many students visit the pantry daily to obtain groceries provided through the school. Our goal was to raise awareness on how certain foods affect our oral health. We shared options on food alternatives that are better for their dental health as well as systemic health. We also provided oral hygiene instructions to help combat xerostomia, an acidic pH after food consumption and caries prevention.
All of us created colorful posters to provide visual aids. It was important for us to make this an interactive experience for the students so we directly interviewed them on their diets, eating schedules and oral hygiene routines.
