Many Bostonians Reached at Free Health and Fitness Expo

Volunteers representing Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) and Boston University Dental Health Center offered dental and oral cancer screenings at the Channel 7 CW 56 Boston Medical Center Health and Fitness Expo June 22–23, 2013. GSDM screened a total of 153 adults at the event.

In addition to free screenings, our School promoted oral health and distributed information about becoming a patient at the School, the BUMP UP program, oral cancer, and the HPV vaccine. Volunteers gave toothbrushes and toothpaste to those they screened.

“The Health and Fitness Expo provides an excellent opportunity to connect with many Boston residents who are in need of dental care and oral health information,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “We at GSDM are so proud of the students, staff, and faculty who volunteer at this important event each year.”

GSDM students and faculty also volunteered at the Boston Collaborative Group booth. The Boston Collaborative Group is an initiative sponsored by the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, and the Metropolitan District Dental Society. Clinical Instructor Lina Benslimane, Clinical Assistant Professor David Dano, and Clinical Assistant Professor Kady Rawal supervised the students.

The annual Health and Fitness Expo at the Hynes Convention Center provides free public health services and information to tens of thousands of people from the Greater Boston area. Other services  available included: health screenings; body mass index; free fitness exercises including yoga, Zumba, and a jump rope clinic; cooking demonstrations; talks by Boston Medical Center doctors; and celebrity appearances by New England Patriots Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork, channel 7 on-air personalities, and Biggest Loser winners.

Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri wrote in an email to volunteers:

Without your commitment and dedication, participation in events such as this would be impossible. I truly appreciated the time each of you took from your busy schedules and precious weekend time. You were all very professional and poised. I know that each of you made a positive impact on the people you encountered.

Volunteers included: Abdul Addas AS 14; Kaveh Baharvand Ahmadi AS 14; Clinical Instructor Dr. Benslimane; Entela Cika DMD 14; John Costello DMD 16; Kayla Cuddy DMD 16; Michelle DaRocha DMD 15; Dr. Dano; Hamid Fakhri AS 14; Ben Irzyk DMD 14; Homan Javaheri AS 14; Ramandeep Jhandi AS 14; Research Dental Assistant Chelsea Johnston; Alan Jue DMD 14; Sukjhinder Kaur AS 14; Clinical Instructor Dr. Ana Keohane; Luri Lee DMD 16; Ms. Lituri; Marissa Kobewka DMD 15; Matt Mara DMD 16; Keely Matheson DMD 15; Mike Mayr DMD 16; Casual Outreach Worker Laura Millan; Champaka Nagaraju AS  14; Zara Nensey DMD 14; Abishek Patel AS 14; Hetal Rana DMD 14; Dr. Rawal; Amrita Sandhu DMD 15; Fernando San Juan DMD 14; Sara Saremi DMD 15; Cara Seidel DMD 15; Hajra Sheikh AS 14; Ahram Shin MED 09, DMD 14; Suzanne Siu DMD 14; pre-dental student Albert Song; Vanessa Thai DMD 16; and Alanna Yip DMD 14.

Photos are available on Facebook and Flickr.