Dental students reflect on rewarding experience
Among the groups of volunteers who have made such an impact in the MOM-n-PA mission are the dental students who take an
active part in helping the underserved.
Following are two accounts of dental student volunteers from the 2017 mission in Erie.
Volunteering at the Mission of Mercy event
in Erie was an incredible opportunity for
us students, not only because it gave us a
chance to serve our community, but also
because we were able to work side by side
with experienced doctors and learn from
each procedure. I had the chance to assist
dentists in the oral surgery, restorative
and pediatric department. It was helpful
learning techniques in oral surgery and
discussing the value of limitations in this
field. The general dentists explained when
and why it was important to know when
to refer something out; they went through
each case with us so that we could better
understand which type of extractions
should be sent directly to the oral
surgeons. While assisting in the restorative
department, I saw how each doctor
has his or her own methods, and there
isn’t a single “right way” of doing things,
helping explain why in dental school we
always have a variety of opinions from
our preceptors. As much as I would like to
think that as a fourth-year dental student
I can treat all patients, it is clear after
watching dentists who’ve practiced many
years that I still have so much to learn.
The most important takeaway I had
from this experience was feeling the
camaraderie in the dental community.
Specialists and general dentists worked
together to administer comprehensive
treatment plans during the weekend
and demonstrated the importance of
interdisciplinary teamwork in dentistry. It
is easy for us as students to get caught up
in the stress of dental school, and study
each procedure and try to master it while
often becoming disconnected from our
patients. It’s also hard to ignore various
challenges of this career, including mental
and physical exhaustion and the stress of
practice management. Events like this one
remind us as students that we are entering
a profession that can help people. It was
inspiring watching dentists from all over
the state come to one place and work
together to better our community. It was
an honor to realize that one day I will be
able to return to events such as this one
as a practicing doctor, and be able to treat
patients on my own.
– Stephanie Flaksman, LECOM School
of Dental Medicine, Class of 2018
MOM-N-PA, Mission of Mercy in
Pennsylvania, is a two-day free dental
clinic that travels to a different region
of Pennsylvania each year. Its purpose
is to serve those in need of dental care,
either financially or due to lack of access
to care. This year in Erie, PA, MOM-N-PA
donated over $600,000 worth of free
dental services, including but not limited
to hygiene appointments, extractions,
dentures, root canals, and fillings. All of this
is made possible by generous donations
and dedicated volunteers.
As a rising third year dental student at
Temple University’s Kornberg School of
Dentistry (TUKSoD), volunteering at MOM-
N-PA was a great way to see dentistry in
a new setting and without the stress of
school. Not only was it an opportunity to
learn from current dentists and prepare
for life in the clinic, but it also put my skills
to the test and gave me a new sense of
appreciation and awe for how far I have
come since the start of dental school.
This was my second year volunteering
at MOM-N-PA, but each experience has
been uniquely life changing. Patients’
immeasurable gratitude for the work done
and time contributed to this event, and
helping to improve their oral health and
possibly overall quality of life, serves as a
reminder of why I chose dentistry as my
profession. It was through my interactions
and conversations with the patients that I
was humbled and able to walk away with
a renewed determination to return to
TUKSoD and learn as much as possible.
MOM-N-PA is an amazing organization
that I hope continues to grow and that I
hope to be a part of for many more years.
– Veronica Brandley, Temple University
Kornberg School of Dentistry,
Class of 2019
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