AAWD and CHP Return to Rosie’s Place

The Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine Division of Community Health Programs (CHP) and BU Chapter of the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) returned to Rosie’s Place on Tuesday, August 14, 2012, to participate in the Childworks Program.

Rosie’s Place is a sanctuary for poor and homeless women located in Boston’s South End. GSDM has a longstanding volunteer relationship with Rosie’s Place. Childworks is a volunteer-run program that aims to provide activities, learning opportunities and recreation for the children of Rosie’s Place.

On this day, 15 children (along with their mothers) participated in the Passport to Dental Health. Under the direction of Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri, GSDM volunteers set up six stations for children and their caregivers to visit and earn their “passport” to dental health. Each station features interactive and age appropriate activities for the children that accompany their mothers/caregivers to Rosie’s Place. The 6 stations are: (1) Brushing/flossing/plaque; (2) Just Say No! (Tobacco and other harmful habits); (3) Tooth protectors (sealants, mouth guards, fluoride, xylitol); (4) So you want to be a dentist?; (5) The importance of teeth; and (6) Healthy food for healthy teeth. There is also an arts and crafts table for young children.

Both female and male students were encouraged to volunteer. The event is a chance to learn about some of the issues faced by women and children that seek the services of Rosie’s Place, interact with them, and share expertise.

Volunteers included: Yasmin Alayyoubi DMD 14, Nadia Daljeet DMD 13, Navid Kabiri AS 13, Rachel Lukas DMD 13, Manu Sharma DMD 13, Europa Yang DMD 13, and pre-dent volunteers Clare Kim, Lillian Lwanga, and Asia Yip.