Students, faculty volunteer at back-to-school events

Throughout August, UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry representatives participated in several back-to-school health and wellness fairs to help children and adults prepare for the new school year.

The School of Dentistry team provided valuable, free-of-charge services, including dental screenings, fluoride varnish applications, oral hygiene instructions, and nutritional counseling to participants. These efforts reflect the ongoing commitment to improving the community’s oral and overall health through accessible and effective outreach.

Students and faculty made appearances and interacted with individuals from the surrounding community in four different events throughout the month:

• CHRISTUS Foundation Back to School Health Fair, Aug. 3
• Harris Health Back to School Health and Wellness Fair, Aug. 8
• 27^th Annual Back to School Giveaway sponsored by the Morales Memorial Foundation, Aug. 10
• 14^th Annual Christopher Pichon II Foundation Health Fair, Aug. 24

“It’s truly rewarding for all of us to be part of these community events,” said Director for Community Outreach Raha Naderi, RDH, MEd. “Providing dental screenings and preventative care is just one way we contribute, but it’s the connections we build with the families and seeing their smiles that remind us why we’re here.”

Volunteers provided oral health screenings to a total of 279 individuals throughout the various health and wellness fairs, giving parents and students the basic care necessary for prioritizing their health.

“It’s important for children to have a medical and dental check-up before the school year starts,” Naderi said. “This helps catch any issues early, so they can stay healthy, focused, and ready to learn without any distractions.”

Naderi says that participating in these events both establishes the school as a trusted dental provider and gives students and faculty an outlet to give back to the local population.

“It’s about being an active part of our community and helping ensure everyone has the chance to start the school year healthy and happy,” she said.