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Dental students provide free dentistry, learn life lesson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Photos from the event
Preview of the event on Channel 12
FALL RIVER, MA – October 10, 2014 – Smiles are a bit brighter on the South Coast today, thanks to a local free dentistry program called “Dentistry from the Heart.” Diman’s Dental Assisting program is thrilled to be a part of the program, put on by Southcoast Smiles and spearheaded by Dr. David Ahearn.
The annual program was held on October 4, 2014, provided over $75,000 worth of free dental care to 157 patients from as far away as New Hampshire. Now in its seventh year, students and teachers from Diman have volunteered over the last five years.
Free dentistry is a huge draw, as almost half of Americans lack dental insurance. Diman’s crew of 11 students and 3 instructors saw patients straight through from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As junior Abby Medeiros put it, “It felt nice knowing we helped so many people who don’t have dental insurance.”
“It’s a long day. It’s an exhausting day, but you feel good,” said Dental Assisting Department Head Maria Torres. “People are so appreciative and get so much out of it.”
“It was a great experience … even the employees were so thankful to have us there and help them out. The patients were so thankful,” added junior Evangelina Marques. “It felt edifying. People are so thankful for what you do.”
The joy that comes from helping others was felt by all. “The satisfaction that people got … they were just so thankful for everything. It felt great to volunteer,” said junior Kimberly Imbriglio.
People came from all over to attend the event. “I had someone who left their house at 4 a.m. to walk to Seekonk because they didn’t have a car,” marveled Torres. “An older woman walked all the way from Providence to Seekonk to attend.”
The rewards were obvious for the patients, but they were also significant for those who volunteered their time.
Smiles etched the faces of the students as they spoke about the event, and beyond that, there were more spiritual benefits. Explained Torres, “No matter how bad you think you have it, someone has it worse, and its events like this that make you see that.”
Diman’s volunteers included instructors Maria Torres, Jeannine Carreiro, and Karen Cirillo, as well as students Rebekah Costa, Katelyn Dias, Brianna Gouveia, Kimberly Imbriglio, Evangelina Marques, Abigail Medeiros, Kayla Melo, Alexis Moniz, Cheyenne Pavao, Lacey Perry, and Makenna Springer.
Contact:
Nathan Byrnes, Media Services Coordinator
nbyrnes@dimanregional.org
Photos from the event
Preview of the event on Channel 12
The annual program was held on October 4, 2014, provided over $75,000 worth of free dental care to 157 patients from as far away as New Hampshire. Now in its seventh year, students and teachers from Diman have volunteered over the last five years.
Free dentistry is a huge draw, as almost half of Americans lack dental insurance. Diman’s crew of 11 students and 3 instructors saw patients straight through from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. As junior Abby Medeiros put it, “It felt nice knowing we helped so many people who don’t have dental insurance.”
“It’s a long day. It’s an exhausting day, but you feel good,” said Dental Assisting Department Head Maria Torres. “People are so appreciative and get so much out of it.”
“It was a great experience … even the employees were so thankful to have us there and help them out. The patients were so thankful,” added junior Evangelina Marques. “It felt edifying. People are so thankful for what you do.”
The joy that comes from helping others was felt by all. “The satisfaction that people got … they were just so thankful for everything. It felt great to volunteer,” said junior Kimberly Imbriglio.
People came from all over to attend the event. “I had someone who left their house at 4 a.m. to walk to Seekonk because they didn’t have a car,” marveled Torres. “An older woman walked all the way from Providence to Seekonk to attend.”
The rewards were obvious for the patients, but they were also significant for those who volunteered their time.
Smiles etched the faces of the students as they spoke about the event, and beyond that, there were more spiritual benefits. Explained Torres, “No matter how bad you think you have it, someone has it worse, and its events like this that make you see that.”
Diman’s volunteers included instructors Maria Torres, Jeannine Carreiro, and Karen Cirillo, as well as students Rebekah Costa, Katelyn Dias, Brianna Gouveia, Kimberly Imbriglio, Evangelina Marques, Abigail Medeiros, Kayla Melo, Alexis Moniz, Cheyenne Pavao, Lacey Perry, and Makenna Springer.
Contact:
Nathan Byrnes, Media Services Coordinator
nbyrnes@dimanregional.org