Year 1 DMD Students Promote Health and Community Connection
Thirteen year 1 dental students volunteered their time and expertise, setting up an interactive booth that focused on oral health education for students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 8 and their families.
By Duane KripOn November 15, 2024, the St. Mary’s Wellness & Education Centre in Saskatoon came alive with vibrant energy and collaboration during the Better Together Wellness Event. This annual health promotion initiative, spearheaded by fourth-year Nursing students from the University of Saskatchewan, is part of their clinical placement demonstrating their dedication to improving community health. This year they invited the College of Dentistry to participate alongside with them.
Nestled in the Pleasant Hill neighborhood, St. Mary’s serves a population that often faces financial barriers to optimal health. With a holistic approach rooted in the Medicine Wheel's four domains—physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional—the event aimed to foster a supportive environment for youth and families while strengthening community bonds.
This year, the event saw an exciting partnership with the College of Dentistry. Thirteen year 1 dental students volunteered their time and expertise, setting up an interactive booth that focused on oral health education for students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 8 and their families. The booth, with its engaging activities and valuable oral hygiene tips, attracted over 100 visitors and stood out as a highlight of the event.
“The dental students did a fantastic job by creating an engaging, interactive display for the College of Dentistry, which quickly became one of the most popular tables," said Dr. Randy Brilz, an instructor with the College of Dentistry who helped supervise and support the students during the event. "Their support extended beyond just the dental booth—they willingly helped wherever needed and demonstrated excellent teamwork, particularly in their collaboration with the Nursing students.”
The dental students who participated in the event were:
Nadia Ahmadi, Natalie Hamm, Beth Kimpinski, Hannah Rutherford, Anikit Raju, Het Sisodiya, Verena Morcos, Luce Ozbek, Daniel Tylutki, Roham Nabizadeh, Bradley Skorski and Jacob Dwosh.
The Better Together Wellness Event is more than just a day of health promotion—it's a celebration of collaboration, learning, and community spirit. By engaging with children and families and addressing health holistically, this initiative showcases the profound impact of teamwork among disciplines like Nursing and Dentistry. Events like these not only enhance health literacy but also build lasting relationships that strengthen the Pleasant Hill community for years to come.