Field Trip to GSDM – Round Two!

On June 15, 2016, a group of 101 third graders from Blackstone School in the South End learned about oral health and oral healthcare by student, faculty, and staff volunteers during the second of two annual field trips to GSDM.

Coordinated by GSDM’s chapter of the Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA) and the Office of Global and Population Health—and staffed by 33 faculty, student and staff volunteers—the GSDM field trip allowed students to learn about oral health education through interactive games and activities and hands on learning in GSDM’s Simulation Learning Center (SLC).

This was the second field trip to GSDM in two weeks. On June 3, 2016, second grade students from Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School in Roxbury also came to GSDM.

“This second field trip was just as successful as the first,” said Ms. Kathy Lituri, Oral Health Promotion Director. “The third graders were able to learn about dentistry and good oral health habits.”

She continued, “I would also like to thank all of our volunteers and especially the volunteers with GSDM’s HSDA, who were so helpful in the planning of this event.”

The field trip started at 9:15 a.m. at 670 Albany Street. Dean Hutter greeted and welcomed the students, shared with them that he is the ‘principal’ of the Dental School, inquired as to the interest of the students in becoming dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants, answered a few questions, and wished everyone a very enjoyable day.

“The HSDA from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine was very happy to have welcomed the 3rd graders from Blackstone public school. We discussed oral health education and student life of dentists. We look forward to continuing to help over the next year,” said Dr. Ana Keohane AS 16.

At 670 Albany Street, the students played a game with the GSDM volunteers. The children and the volunteers were assigned to one of five groups named after teeth: the central incisors, the lateral incisors, the cuspids, the bicuspids, and the molars.

The presenters—Jamie Waller, DMD 18 and Ms. Paula Pina, School Based Program Coordinator—talked about different types of teeth and their functions, and about the importance of healthy teeth for eating, talking, and smiling.

Ana DeFeria, DMD 18 and Luis Perez, DMD 18 dressed up as the Tooth Fairy and Captain Cavity Fighter, respectively.

The presentation focused on healthy eating for healthy teeth and bodies. The children also played the Go, Slow, Whoa nutrition game.  Before leaving for the SLC, they were given a healthy snack of low-fat, low-sugar Greek yogurt, a banana, and water.

Next, the students headed to the Simulation Learning Center (SLC) to take part in more activities and to learn more about keeping teeth clean as well as what it is like to be a dental student.

The presenters were Ana Keohane AS 16, Emilia Smith DMD 18, Monique Alves DMD 18, Rafaella Sampaio DMD 18, and Ana DeFeria DMD 18

After learning about the SLC and how it is useful for dental students, the students took part in several activities while at their seats in the SLC:

1. A child from each group put their hand in a different color of glitter (germs) and then shook their hands to see how, even after shaking, germs can linger.
2. The children simulated washing their hands for two minutes while singing a handwashing song to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat.
3. They learned about dental materials and made an impression of their thumb, then stone was mixed and poured into the thumb impression to make a model of their thumb.
4. Each elementary student learned how to prevent cavities and brush and floss properly, as well as what healthy foods they can eat to prevent cavities.
5. Finally, to learn how sealants work, each child was given a sealed walnut and a non-sealed walnut, and they put each one into a bag of junk food (chips and soda mixed). They then removed the walnuts and used a toothbrush to remove the food, finding that the food slides right off of the sealed walnut.

After a group photo on the steps of 100 East Newton Street, the elementary students headed to the Talbot Green for a pizza lunch. After the lunch, the students played with beach balls before departing back to their school.  Each child left with a goody bag that included a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, a timer, a pencil, stickers, and handouts related to the day’s activities and a model of their thumb.

“I am so pleased to hear that the two field trips to GSDM went exceptionally well,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “It was a true privilege to be able to speak with some of these young people and talk to them about the importance of good oral health throughout their life.”

Photos can be found on Facebook and Flickr.