Student National Dental Association Members from all over the country served in Atlanta, GA July 23, 2016 at Robert Woodruff Park.
This July, nearly 40 Student National Dental Association (SNDA) chapters from all across the country gathered in Atlanta, GA for our annual national convention. As a tradition, a significant part of the convention is dedicated to serving those in need in the communities that we visit. Partnering with the National Dental Association Foundation and the Colgate Foundation, SNDA, hosted a community health fair at the Robert Woodruff park in the heart of downtown Atlanta. Several community agencies were contacted in advance to inform their clients of the upcoming health awareness event. Those clients, in addition to passersby, were greeted to a day full of oral health related activities. The SNDA coordinated 2 hours of face-painting, oral health education sessions, trivia with prizes and much more for the community. On top of receiving oral hygiene kits (toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, and oral hygiene tips) which were donated by students from all over the country, hundreds of community members were able to benefit from the experience of learning in a non-traditional dental setting while having fun. All the remaining oral health care supplies were hand delivered to neighboring community centers by SNDA members. Overall it was a great experience for our guests and but an even greater reward for all of those who volunteered. We learned that not all patient education needs to happen in the dental office. We understand the importance of getting out into to community and reaching the patients that may not be able to reach us. Thank you, Atlanta!
Written by: Alexis Irby (D17)
