Blackstone “Dental Students” Learn About the Effects of Junk Food on Teeth

Oreos, Sour Patch Kids, soda, and chips were just some of the things blended into a green paste by volunteers and distributed to third grade students from William Blackstone Elementary School for an experiment during their field trip to Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine (BUGSDM) on June 10. Once distributed, students shook two walnuts, one covered with dental sealant and the other left untreated, in a plastic bag until the paste coated both nuts and then attempted to brush the grime off. The exercise provided students with a look at how sealants protect their teeth from cavity causing foods and beverages, and served as a fun excuse for them to dress up in gowns, masks, and gloves.

This was the eighth annual trip for the Blackstone Elementary School and just like previous years, the third grade students enjoyed the chance to act as "dental students for a day" as they listened to presentations on proper nutrition, tooth structure, and the dental profession; participated in the walnut experiment in the Simulated Learning Center; and celebrated with a pizza lunch on the Talbot Green.

The event, organized by Division of Community Health Programs (CHP) Oral Health Promotion Coordinator Kathy Lituri, was made possible by the large group of faculty, staff, and student volunteers.

"An event like this is a huge undertaking with many layers of details, and it really takes a village to pull it off.  You [the volunteers] are the best village one could ask for," said Lituri.

Photos of the day’s activities are available on BUGSDM’s flickr account. You must have full web access to view these photos.