GSDM Volunteers at First Ever Get Engaged with Your Dental Health Program
Three volunteers from the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) volunteered at the pilot “Get Engaged with Your Dental Health Program” on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. The event 
was organized by the Engagement Center Pilot through the City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC).
Delaney Jorgensen DMD 18, Iris Chan (Sargent pre-dental), and Ms. Kathy Lituri, Oral Health Promotion Director represented GSDM and our chapter of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD), which also helped organize the volunteer effort.
During the event, the volunteers instructed attendees in the principles of proper oral health, and performed routine dental screenings on nine individuals. There will be potential future volunteer opportunities at the Engagement Center on February 7th, March 7th, April 4th, May 2nd, and June 6th2018.
The Engagement Center pilot is a welcoming environment for individuals in need of a space to spend time during the day. In addition to providing a shaded, air-conditioned indoor space off the streets and sidewalks, the Engagement Center also serves as a space for participants to get connected to the many housing and recovery services offered by the City of Boston and partners in the Newmarket Square area.
The Engagement Center also offers a range of basic amenities and comfort items, such as clean bathroom facilities, water, coffee, and light snacks. Amenities including quiet space and workstations are also available to participants. Staff from the BPHC and partner organizations routinely rotate through the engagement center. These staff offer services and support for substance use recovery, permanent and supportive housing, mental and behavioral health conditions, and more.