On October 14th, ASDA students came together to volunteer at Hale House in Boston. Hale House is an assisted living facility and the students were able to promote oral health care to the residents.
Micheline Moini (D18) reflects: “This event was a great experience. It was the first event of the 2017 academic year. It all started with the idea of there being a need in assisted living homes for the promotion of oral health care due to one student having her grandfather living in assisted living. That one student, went out in search for an assisted living facility close enough to Tufts Dental that was within walking distance to motivate students to participate in community service to this population. The Hale House had been a work in progress since this past February. At our first event ever, we had brought a students therapy dog to the home. Many of the residents were happy and excited to see a friendly, little, four legged furry friend! This event was a little different in that we wanted to promote oral health care. We went over some basic dental questions with a beach ball that had questions on it as we rolled the ball around. Residents were welcome to ask questions and we did our best to answer and keep the conversation flowing! Next we handed our toothbrushes and toothpaste to the residents who came and went over OHI. The students also went over brochures to educate patients about flossing and how to become a patient at the dental school if they needed a provider. One of our d19’s was able to get a patient and exchanged business cards! It is a great way to get patients and experience something outside of school. We hope to have our next event in November and will send out another email for volunteer opportunities!”
