Attleboro, MA Students Help At Free Dental Clinics In Providence

ATTLEBORO, MA — Students at Attleboro High School participated in Rhode Island Mission of Mercy's annual free dental clinic in Providence earlier this month.

On Oct. 5 and 6, the students helped with the free dental clinics at Providence Community Health Centers. Licensed dental professional volunteers provided care to the uninsured, underinsured and anyone who could not access dental care.

Patients underwent health and dental screening before being treated on a first-come, first-served basis. Services included cleanings, fillings, X-rays, tooth extractions, root canal treatment on front teeth only and oral health instructions. The clinic was staffed with over 250 dental and medical volunteers and over 200 community volunteers to provide free dental services. Attleboro students participated in several ways.

"Our students participated in escorting patients to their operatories; cleaning and disinfection of treatment rooms between patients; sterilization; and assisting the doctors with procedures ranging from fillings to oral surgery," Attleboro High School dental assisting instructor Amy Klegraefe Santo said. "These student volunteers implemented all aspects of our PRIDE 5 — Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Determination and Equity — and their professionalism was exponential! They did a great service to the community and learned so many life lessons during this opportunity."

The Dental Assisting program is one of the newest and most popular career and technical education programs at Attleboro High School. The school plans to participate in next year’s clinic and find additional volunteer events to supplement its schedule.

"This opportunity to volunteer solidified my dream of wanting to be a dentist," junior Louisa Heri said. "It was amazing to be surrounded by like-minded people."

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