BUSNDA Helps Bridge the Gap Between Elementary and Middle School

Boston University Chapter of the Student National Dental Association (BUSNDA) along with staff from the Division of Community Health Programs (CHP) volunteered at the "Middle O!" event at Fenway Park on August 27. "Middle O!" is an event designed to prepare sixth-grade students for their entrance into middle school at Boston Public Schools (BPS). Children were given free backpacks and were able to visit a variety of tables to learn about topics including health, math, and science.

At the event GSDM volunteers provided information on dental careers, mouth guards, sealants, junk food, oral piercing, and bad breath to participants. They also passed out complimentary mouth guards, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and dental floss, and provided dental screenings to children.

For the second year in a row BUSNDA took the lead on this outreach effort. "BUSNDA participated in Middle-O last year and enjoyed the experience," explained BUSNDA President Kandis Smith DMD 12. "One of our many goals is to inform young students early about oral health and dental careers so that if they become interested in a health profession they can be prepared before entering college."