Second-Graders Take a Trip to Dental School

On April 12, approximately 60 second grade children from the nearby Orchard Gardens K-8 School spent the morning and early afternoon visiting Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) and became "dental students" for a day. This is the seventh annual field trip organized by Division of Community Health Programs (CHP) Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri who was assisted on this event by Assistant Director of APEX & Extramural Programs Kathy Held and numerous student and staff volunteers.

The goal of the field trip is to inspire young children to pursue higher education and a dental career. The children participate in educational activities—with the highlight being an experiment they conduct in the SLC, while wearing gowns, gloves, and masks.

One second-grader commented on the gowns saying, "I think it’s made of dryer sheets like the Bounce your Mom puts in the dryer."

They also have the opportunity to ask the volunteering dental students any questions they may have about dental school, oral health, or their pursuit of higher education in general. Special guest Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter fielded a few questions from the inquisitive students.

"This event is really a big treat for the children, not only to go on a field trip, but to also meet the dental students and ask them the type of questions they might ask an older brother, sister, cousin, or someone they look up to," said Lituri. "And it was really special for them to meet Dean Hutter. I am confident that many seeds were planted and that many of the children were inspired to not only stay in school and do their best, but to also consider a career in oral health."

Photos from the event are available on GSDM’s flickr account and on the Facebook page.