Energetic GSDM Volunteers Welcome Blackstone Elementary School Students

The 12th Annual Blackstone Elementary School Field trip took place on June 16. Eighty-four third grade students arrived at the Dental School for a day of interactive fun and learning. The large group of energetic children was shepherded through the day’s activities by Captain Cavity Fighter (Sarah Courtney DMD 12) and a host of volunteers including numerous students and faculty and staff from the Division of Community Health Programs.

Courtney did an excellent job getting the kids interested in oral health. She presented a lesson on teeth and gums in the SLC that had the children cheering and rushing to raise their hands to answer questions.

The children also participated in interactive activities in the SLC that taught them about sealants and dental impressions. Courtney had a variety of helpers for these activities including Derek Song DMD 12, Clinical Associate Professor Dr. Mark Ferriero, and field trip organizers CHP Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri and Assistant Director of Extramural Programs Kathy Held—even Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter joined in! Using alginate and stone the children took impressions of their thumbs, which is always a crowd-pleasing activity.

After helping several children pour the stone, Dean Hutter said, “I am a big fan of this new element that Kathy Lituri has recently implemented for local children who visit our Dental School. I think it is something they don’t get to experience elsewhere in their early education and I hope that all of the fun and interactive activities they participate in here at the School stick in their minds and inspire them to consider dental education in the future.”

To end the field trip the children enjoyed the sunny summer weather with a pizza party and fun outdoor games on the Talbot Green.

Photos can be found on facebook and flickr.