ASDA Earns “Smiling” Scores at Yawkey Club

The Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM) chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) partnered with the BUGSDM Division of Community Health Programs to host their annual interactive dental health fair for children at the Yawkey Club, in Roxbury, Massachusetts on March 4.

The event featured the popular station format, where dental students taught children ranging from elementary through high school ages about oral health issues including hygiene, nutrition, and dental occupations. Children received a sticker on their passports from each station they visited and once they had collected them all, they were given goodie bags containing toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The event was organized by ASDA Community Outreach Chair Courtney Brady DMD 11, with the help of BUGSDM Oral Health Promotion Coordinator Kathy Lituri, former organizer Adrienne Archidiacono DMD 09, and Dee Gulis DMD 12. Approximately 26 BUGSDM dental students volunteered their time as part of the fair and between 100 and 150 children attended the event making for a large turnout in what has become a very successful annual event.

"I was very excited to organize this event," said Brady. "I participated last year and loved it and I really wanted it to continue."

This year ASDA also created exit surveys where children could color in a face ranging from smiling to frowning to match their feelings about the activities, how much they learned, if they plan to try and improve their dental health, and if they would attend the dental health fair again. Survey results will help organizers improve the event for next year.

Photos from the health fair are available on BUGSDM’s flickr account and also on the new BUGSDM Facebook page. You must have full web access to view the flickr account, but do not need a personal Facebook account to view photos on the Facebook page.