The Rutgers School of Dental Medicine welcomes more than 120 local children for its annual Give Kids a Smile Day
Bright decorations, music and costumed volunteers filled the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in Newark as the school celebrated its annual Give Kids a Smile Day on Feb. 6, a part of the nationwide American Dental Association Foundation initiative that provides free dental care to underserved children each February during National Children's Dental Health Month.
"From the decorations to the positive vibes and support of Horizon, this year's Give Kids a Smile Day was just superb," said Madhu Mohan, interim chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. "It was amazing to see our dental students put on such a great performance for the patients."
More than 120 children, ages 3 to 5, arrived from Irvington, N.J., schools, including Agape Academy, Christian Pentecostal Day School and Traveling Tots. For some of them, it was their first dental visit, something which Rutgers staff worked hard to make welcoming and fun.
"We take pride in making a positive impact on our community," said Maria Laboy, clinical services supervisor for the Department of Pediatric Dentistry who oversees the event organization each year. "It is absolutely rewarding to see that the children receive the care that they deserve by creating a fun-filled dental experience in hopes to desensitize their fears for future dental appointments."
To help bring the day together, Laboy worked closely with two student coordinators from the Class of 2027, Gabriella Angrisano and Antoinette Afriyie. They organized a variety of activities ranging from face painting to a lively dental-themed skit, gathering dozens of Rutgers student volunteers to support the event.
Angrisano said the day offered a meaningful way to give back and connect with local children.
"Being a part of such an incredible event was both exciting and rewarding, as it allowed us to give back to our local community by educating the children that attended on the importance of preventive dental care," she said. "I am deeply grateful to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to make the day such a success. I know the dedication from those involved made a meaningful impact and created a memorable experience for all the scholars who joined us."
It is absolutely rewarding to see that the children receive the care that they deserve by creating a fun-filled dental experience in hopes to desensitize their fears for future dental appointments.
Maria Laboy
Clinical Services Supervisor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry
Afriyie has served in multiple roles for Give Kids a Smile Day during her time at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.
This year, the event was "extra special because I had the opportunity to witness all the planning and coordination that goes into making a large event like this both successful and enjoyable for everyone," said Afriyie, who played a "tooth fairy" last year.
She added that seeing children engage enthusiastically with dental activities showed how profound this experience was for everyone involved.
"The mission behind Give Kids a Smile Day is truly inspiring," she said. "In the future, I hope to carry the lessons I've learned from this experience into every community I become part of."
