Texas Mission of Mercy in Corpus Christi: UTDB was there!

UTDB students at the Corpus Christi TMOM got to work with UTDB alumnus and 2008 Texas Dentist of the Year Richard Smith, D.D.S. Pictured with Smith from left are third-year dental students Monica Muller-Delgado, Rachel Barr, and dental hygiene students Morgan Harris and Helen Martinez. Dental Van Director Tracey Godwin, D.D.S., is in front.

The UT Dental Van, staffed with student and faculty volunteers from Dental Branch, traveled to Corpus Christi to participate in the Nov. 14-15 Texas Mission of Mercy (TMOM) sponsored by the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation. They joined other volunteer dental professionals to provide two days of free care to low-income residents of the coastal bend area.

The UTDB group performed approximately 225 extractions, 40 fillings, three alveoloplastys and about 20 prophylactic treatments — procedures with a $50,000 estimated value of care, according to The Smiles Foundation.

Dental Van Director Tracey Godwin, D.D.S., said the 2008 Corpus Christi Texas Mission of Mercy was the best one yet for the crew from UTDB. "The Texas Dental Association staff, dentists and volunteers could not stop complimenting our students on their enthusiasm, professionalism and generosity, not to mention the amount of work they produced," she said. "The camaraderie, tunes, food and fashion were all incredible. Weekends like this remind me why I love being a dentist and why I love teaching at the Dental Branch."

The event sponsor, the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation, is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public and profession about oral health, enhancing the public image of dentistry and improving access to dental care for Texans. Since 2001, more than 12,000 patients have been treated and more than $4.4 million in dental care delivered to Texas families in need through TMOM events. For more information about the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation, visit www.tdasmiles.org.

Hispanic Student Dental Association: UTDB chapter setting the pace

After winning an award at the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, HSDA officers from UTDB paused for a photo. From left are vice president Karla Zapata; Clinical Assistant Professor and HSDA Faculty Advisor Margo Y. Melchor, R.D.H.; and vice president Chriszelda Rojas.

The UT Dental Branch chapter of the Hispanic Student Dental Association won third place in the Orgullo ("Pride") Poster Presentation at the annual Hispanic Dental Association meeting in Scottsdale, Ariz. The award, sponsored by Proctor and Gamble, goes to student chapters for outstanding community service and chapter activities. Of 36 HSDA chapters nationwide, 22 participated this year.

The UTDB chapter also was represented at the 16th annual Hispanic Dental Association meeting in Carefree, Ariz. Nov. 13-15. The student representatives included third-year dental student and vice president Vickie Martinez; senior dental hygiene student and vice president Karla Zapata; and Chriszelda Rojas, a senior dental hygiene student and social chairperson. The faculty advisor, Margo Y. Melchor, R.D.H., also attended. She serves as treasurer on the executive board of the national Hispanic Dental Association.

The meeting provided scientific sessions, networking opportunities and a chance to see vendors' presentations on the latest developments in dentistry. Of particular interest were student sessions that focused on bridging the gap between students and professionals, the social responsibilities that come with being a dental or dental hygiene student, and opportunities for student mission trips.

The UTDB chapter was also featured in the fall 2008 edition of HDA News and Reports in an article with photos describing the chapter's work at three Houston-area community health fairs since August.

"I am so proud of this wonderful group of students; they have been so active in community service and career recruitment throughout our fine city of Houston," Melchor said. "I feel what makes our student chapter extraordinary is the fact that we're an organization comprised of both dental and dental hygiene students — which demonstrates the key component of teamwork in dentistry."

In addition to these activities, the HSDA has started Spanish lessons for their fellow UTDB students, to assist with communication in clinical settings.