Giving Back is a Part of EIOH Learning
Dr. Linda Rasubala shared one of her favorite quotes at a luncheon reception after a morning of serving the community.
“Life is a gift; it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more,” she said, quoting life coach Anthony Robbins. “The importance of good oral habits at a young age is critical,” added Dr. Rasubala, a dentist and faculty member with Eastman Dental, part of UR Medicine’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health.
That’s why each year she takes the time to coordinate an educational event for both the EIOH residents and school age children. Oral B sponsored the event and generously donated goodie bags with oral health products for the children and electric toothbrushes for the school’s teachers and the dental residents who participated in the event.
“I was extremely impressed with the professionalism of the dentists, and the way in which they related to the children with ease,” said Mary Szlosek, principal for Seton Catholic School. “Some sat on the floor with the children and talked! Two dressed as a toothbrush and toothpaste for a 1st grade class. That was awesome!”
Dr. Rasubala and several dentists who are getting advanced training at EIOH, put together various age-appropriate and interactive presentations for nearly 200 students in kindergarten through third grade. Residents went into each classroom to deliver them and answer questions. The children were able to practice good brushing skills on a plastic tooth model, and share their new knowledge.
“Not only is oral health part of the health curriculum, but it's important for children in order to help them maintain their health,” said Ms. Szlosek, “The dentists were able to answer children's questions with ease, and provide detailed information and rationale. Children love having guests in their classroom and are instantly engaged in what the topic of discussion and learning is!”
“Education and access are key to changing the landscape of dental decay among children and adults,” said Eli Eliav, DMD, PhD, EIOH director. He thanked the residents for taking time to provide this and other types of community service, a longstanding, yet little -known priority for Eastman Dental. “Never forget to give to others.”
“This event is an excellent example that shows how much we care and at the same time introduces community service to our residents,” added Dr. Malmstrom, director of the AEGD program and chair of the General Dentistry Department. “It is our hope that serving the community becomes a part of our residents’ practices in the future.”
“I’m so thankful to Oral B for their generous support and to all the residents who enthusiastically embrace the opportunity to educate our next generation,” said Dr. Rasubala.
The Eastman Institute for Oral Health trainees who participated in this community service event were Michelle Chan, Sam Dirawi, Ahmed Farag, Diana Heckler, Mitra Heidari, Michelle Li, Jennifer Zhang, Girija Naidu, Zev Vladimir Orentlikher, Ashley Ta, Sergio Varela Kellesarian, Virginia Yanez Fontenla, Zhongyan Zhang, Yulia Tonakanyan, Alfonso Merola, Hamid Tofighi, and Pakhshan Ghaderi.