UB dental students celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

The 37-year-old man had a troublesome crown replaced on Sept. 28 by students and faculty members from the School of Dental Medicine. He didn’t have to come to campus for the service or pay a fee. Expenses were covered and the service was provided in the comfort of a brand-new mobile dental unit (MDU) parked off of Virginia Street on Buffalo’s West Side.

“I couldn’t find a dentist who could help me until today,” said the man, who lives in Tonawanda but regularly visits the neighborhood. “They put the crown on right away. I’m so grateful.”

He was one of almost 75 individuals who received complimentary oral care during the week of Sept. 25 by members of the UB student chapter of the Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) and dental students who are part of the Public Health Interest Group club. They planned the event as one way to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month.

After parking the state-of-the-art MDU next to the nonprofit Hispanics United, the students provided at least six hours of free oral care each day, under the supervision of seven faculty members. Services included cleanings, cavity fillings and tooth extractions.

Funded by the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the MDU features two dental chairs, a panoramic X-ray unit, digital radiography, a sterilization center, wheelchair lift and electronic health record system. 

“I am passionate about giving care to Hispanics and others in the community who need help,” said Ramses Tamayo, president of the HDA UB student chapter and a fourth-year dental student who is originally from Cuba. “Today, I extracted an infected tooth from a woman who was very anxious. She said it was such a good experience she wants to come back. That is very satisfying.”

Organized nationally by the Hispanic Alliance, Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of individuals and communities whose ancestry traces back to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. For the past 50 years, it has been celebrated nationally from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. This is the fourth year that the HDA student chapter has celebrated it at UB.

The group is hosting many campus events over the month, culminating with a party from 5-8:30 p.m. Oct. 13 in 403 Hayes Hall. The HHM celebration is free and open to the dental school community and includes food from a local Puerto Rican restaurant, live music and dancing.

“We primarily emphasize academic and community service during the monthlong celebration,” said Yoly Gonzalez, associate professor and chair of the Department of Oral Diagnostic Sciences, who founded the student chapter in 2006 and serves as its adviser. “But the HDA students, like many others in the dental school, provide outreach throughout the academic year, too.”

Dental school faculty and students have taken the MDU to Batavia to provide oral care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and to rural areas to treat low-income children. They’ve also sponsored food and clothing drives on the West Side of Buffalo. Eleven students are currently active members of HDA.

On the afternoon of Sept. 30, they offered free oral cancer screenings from the mobile clinic parked outside Alumni Arena during the women’s volleyball game. Advertised as a joint effort between UB Athletics and the School of Dental Medicine to “spike” oral cancer, the event provided four hours of complimentary screenings for anyone who was interested.

“Checking for oral cancer is a standard of care that dentists regularly provide. If people aren’t seeing a dentist, they don’t get the screening,” Gonzalez said. “It’s very important, and I’m happy we were able to provide this service.”

Other events that the HDA organized to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month included free weekly Spanish lessons geared toward dental students, “lunch-and-learn” talks about cultural competencies, a movie night and salsa lessons. A local dance teacher led the lessons on Sept. 22 in Harriman Hall; approximately 60 people from a variety of backgrounds participated.

“This was open to everyone at UB, and it was beautiful,” Gonzalez said. “Along with having fun, our students had a chance to share a piece of their culture.”

She hopes participants will put those lessons to use during HDA’s party on Oct. 13. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP online ahead of time.

“In recent years, the students in our chapter have encouraged me to add some social events to attract a wide range of students,” Gonzalez said. “And I think this year it has been evident that these social events are reflective of who we are.”

However, the MDU and its outreach to those who cannot access or afford dental care is closest to Gonzalez’s heart.

“The mobile clinic provides an immeasurable value to the community,” she said. “And our students have a meaningful opportunity to put their learning into practice.”