On Saturday, March 16, a group from VCU School of Dentistry and Dental Care partnered with Peter B. Ramsey Dental Society/Old Dominion Dental Society members to provide dental screenings at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Richmond, Va.

Volunteers included members of the school's Student National Dental Association (SNDA) chapter, faculty aligned with the National Dental Association, pediatric dentistry residents and VCU Dental Care staff.

This is the second year that The Links, Incorporated hosted their nationwide Black Family Wellness Expo (BFWE). The Links, Incorporated is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other people of African ancestry.

The purpose of the expo is “to share information to help everyone, from seniors to infants, to live healthier, happier lives,” and more than 175 chapters of The Links, Incorporated in the U.S. and Commonwealth of Bahamas hosted events in their communities. 

The BFWE event at MLK Jr. Middle School was sponsored by the three Richmond-area chapters of The Links, Incorporated: Richmond (VA), James River Valley (VA) and Commonwealth (VA). U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-4) stopped by to bring greetings.

VCU School of Dentistry students and pediatric dentistry residents performed dental screenings and head and neck exams on both adults and children while faculty members supervised. They also provided oral health education information and inspired the youngest participants. In addition, several VCU Dental Care staff members were also present to provide assistance with the screenings as well as scheduling future screening appointments with dental students and in the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic.

Participants included:

VCU SOD Faculty: Dr. Christina Byerson, Dr. Paula Coates (BFWE Co-Chair), Dr. Barry Griffin and Dr. Carlos Smith

Peter B. Ramsey/Old Dominion Dental Society Members: Dr. Jill Bussey-Harris, Dr. Jacqueline Curl, Dr. Audra Jones (Affiliate Faculty)

VCU Pediatric Dentistry Residents: Dr. Hanan Naser, Dr. Liara Vinson

• VCU SNDA Student Members: Jaycee Cureton (D4), Alexus Harris (D3), Anh Hoang (D3), Jerry Jarrett (D3), Eunie Jung (D3), Yaphet Elaias (D2), Daphne Essimi-Menye (D2), Chase Naran (D2), Jemia Bellamy (D1), Thara Desrosiers (D1), Jaquan Jennings (D1), Deshon Simon (D1), Nalani Starcher (D1) and Maia Tatum (D1) 

VCU Dental Care Staff Members: Kamara Horton, Tolu Ojomo and Carla Tinsley