Commitment to service was undaunted by rain last weekend, as dozens of dental students and faculty provided care to adults and children alike at two separate events.
More than 100 UCSF dental students spent Oct. 15 and 16 in Stockton, taking part in CDA Cares — a regional event providing free dental care to nearly 2,100 patients. Students helped out as dental assistants, translators, greeters and handling supplies to help move the patients through as efficiently as possible.
Drs. Ralph Raya, Tony Ragadio and Sheila Brear, and program administrator Roger Mraz accompanied the students. A number of School of Dentistry alumni were on hand as well.
"It was my privilege to band together with UCSF dental students, staff and faculty" to provide dental care and advice, said Dr. Brear, associate dean for academic affairs, who helped organize the trip. "The strong showing of students indicates their commitment not only to dentistry, but also to the community at large."
Closer to campus, on Oct. 15, 11 first- and second-year dental students and five residents from the Hispanic Student Dental Association and the Student Society of Pediatric Dentistry spent a damp Saturday performing screenings for children at San Francisco's Potrero Hill Festival. Drs. Ling Zhan, John Harrington and Joshua Connolly supervised and helped share dental advice with fair goers.