The St. Louis Dental Center, a partnership of A.T. Still University-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) and Affinia Healthcare, hosted a first-time community-wide event featuring family fun activities and free services on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Multiple healthcare stations were set up to provide oral cancer and dental screenings, vaccines (with no out-of-pocket costs), and WIC and Medicaid enrollment assistance, and fun activities including food, face painting, music, a bounce house, and more.

Staffed by ATSU-MOSDOH faculty, students, and volunteers and Affinia Healthcare team members, as well as knowledgeable representatives from participating organizations, the event was buzzing with activity.

“We are deeply committed to this kind of community outreach, as we aim to increase awareness about the high- quality care available to underserved populations,” said Dwight E. McLeod, DDS, MS, ATSU-MOSDOH dean and professor of periodontics, while interacting with visitors.

“Despite some threatening weather, we were busy helping families who walked or drove a long way to receive these vital services,” added ATSU-MOSDOH’s Patricia A. Pou, MA, associate director, faculty development/continuing education.

One screening involved a 10-year-old boy who had never been seen by a dentist and who attended the community event with his Spanish-speaking parents and two younger brothers. Upon careful examination by a fourth-year ATSU-MOSDOH student, multiple cavities and a potential infection were noted, and it became necessary to convey the information to the child’s parents. A Spanish-speaking Affinia Healthcare representative was quickly identified and asked to inform the parents, as well as explain the need for an appointment to be scheduled for treatment critical to their son’s health.

The need for translation services is not an unusual occurrence at the St. Louis Dental Center. Due to the diverse students, faculty, and staff who speak many different languages, the Center is able to provide comprehensive oral healthcare services to the diverse St. Louis community it serves.

CAPTION #1: Attendees were treated to lunch at the recent It Takes a Village Community Oral Health fair at the St. Louis Dental Center in Lafayette Square neighborhood. The event provided free resources and health screenings to the community. Pictured here are Scott Simmons, Director, Development and University Advancement with A.T. Still University, Mohamed Mohamed, Health Outreach Manager, Affinia Healthcare, and Dr. Dwight McLeod, Dean, ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health.

CAPTION #2:  Families received free information, resources and screenings at the recent Community Oral Health Fair at the St. Louis Dental Center. Courtney Hinton and Grace Jones (at right) are with PreventEd, an organization which promotes substance use disorder prevention and treatment, was one of several organizations that participated.