BUSNDA Sends in Superheroes to Promote Dental Health

On Tuesday, March 11, Boston University’s Student National Dental Association (BUSNDA) orchestrated an interactive oral hygiene presentation for first and second grade students at Henry L. Higginson Elementary School in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The community service event’s participants included BUSNDA President Joseph Ayitey-Adjin DMD 09, Vice President Kimberly Haynes DMD 09, Secretary Shaun White DMD 09, Treasurer Shirley Austin DMD 09 and Faculty Advisor Dr. Anuradha Deshmukh.

The program used invented characters such as Captain Cavity Fighter, Evil Suga-Bug Mouth, and Lovely Pearl McClean to illustrate the importance of good oral hygiene. The superheroes, along with a floss instructor, taught the children how to floss and brush properly using dental models and yarn. They also talked about nutrition and how it relates to dental cavities and overall health.

At the end of the presentation, the children received gift bags with toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and other oral heath related items such as pencils with oral hygiene pictures on them, erasers in the shape of floss and writing pads in the shape of a healthy tooth.

“The look on kids faces when Captain Cavity Fighter entered the room was priceless," said Haynes, "We intend to implement this program every semester as a BUSNDA community service event to educate children on proper oral hygiene.”

Added Dean ad interim Dr. Jeffrey Hutter, "BUGSDM is very fortunate to have such dedicated and motivated students as Joseph, Kimberly, Shaun and Shirley along with faculty members Drs. Deshmukh and Stoute to provide this outstanding service to our community.”