Category Archives: Community Outreach

Making an impact through Give Kids A Smile

Six-year-old C.J. had a mouth filled with cavities. At school, he would hide his smile, keeping his mouth closed to avoid bullying. At home, he would only eat soft foods, fearful of the pain eating caused. His school nurse and pediatrician tried to get him to open his mouth, to see the severity of dental disease, but he… Read More »

The rewards of volunteering with Dental Lifeline Network

I began working with Dental Lifeline Network about four years ago. I was introduced into the program by my father who has been a volunteer for many years. One of my Dental Lifeline Network patients was an elderly woman who had been to many other offices without success. She had numerous health challenges and was receiving treatment for… Read More »

How to celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month

If you did not already know, February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, health care providers and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, caregivers, teachers and many others. February may be wrapping up, but you can still do something fun in honor… Read More »

My journey from Mexico to dental school

Gabriel Perez is currently a fourth-year dental student at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston and Hispanic Dental Association trustee. He is originally from a small rural town in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mr. Perez and his family migrated to New Jersey at the age of 11. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology… Read More »

Why I love February: Celebrating Black history, children’s oral health

The month of February is a confluence of so many of the things I love in life: showing love to those in our lives on Valentine’s Day, discount candy and chocolate the day after Valentine’s Day (haha), and the whole month being both Black History and Children’s Oral Health Month. As a Black female, it is exciting to… Read More »

Making strides towards dental health equity

Dental health equity remains a pipe dream for many Americans. Those people who live in poverty, rural areas, and those in certain ethnic/racial minorities and gender typically experience higher barriers to care than most. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 10% of people living in rural America have less access to dental services than… Read More »