This week, students in the School of Dental Medicine honored Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by performing various acts of service in communities across Connecticut.
Organized by associate dean for students Dr. Sarita Arteaga, the day of service honoring Dr. King’s legacy has become a yearly tradition in the School of Dental Medicine.
“It is always rewarding to serve others in need,” said Arteaga. “It is especially heartwarming to watch students who are training to provide care extend themselves and reach out to engage with elders while listening to their stories or sharing their own stories. All of our students provided a light to drive out darkness during this day of service.”
“The MLK Day of Service is a cardinal tradition we partake in here at UConn, as we aim to honor the legacy of Dr. King,” said second-year student Samuel Majek. “Promoting community and service are integral aspects of becoming a great healthcare provider, and to me, the MLK Day of Service is a reminder that we can be the change we want to see in our community.”
The students participated in service events in all corners of the state. From serving lunch and writing letters to seniors, to handing out supplies to the homeless population—the dental students spent the day making a positive and meaningful impact.
“MLK day of service at UConn is a day where us students can make a positive change in our community to not only respect MLK but his vision of making the world a better place,” said first-year student Kay Kinuthia.
The service activities included:
- Serving lunch at a senior housing facility and playing trivia games with seniors at Bread for Life in Southington
- Sorting and organizing food for distribution at Foodshare in Wallingford
- Cleaning up the church grounds at the Worship Center in Hebron
- Collecting donations for hygiene products and clothes through the Everyone Smiles initiative and delivering the supplies directly to the homeless population
- Writing letters—45 total— to senior citizens through the Love for Our Elders organization
- Judging posters for second-year student presenters completing their Certificate in Social Determinants of Health and Disparities
- Making sandwiches and creating care packages with essential care products to be distributed to individuals facing food insecurity with the JCC and Hands on Hartford
- Volunteering with St. Peter’s Parish in Danbury
- Tutoring fourth grade math students
Madeline Porter, a first- year student said: “Participating in the MLK Day of Service afforded me and my classmates the opportunity to give back to our community, following in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, who paved the way some 60 years ago. This impactful day granted me a fulfilling experience serving an elder population and allowed me to gain valuable insight on a local nonprofit that embodies many of the fundamental beliefs preached by Dr. King.”
For the future dentists, the acts of service served as a reminder of the importance of community health and well-being and the need to provide and ensure access to high-quality, compassionate care for all patient populations regardless of their socioeconomic status.
“As a dental student, embracing MLK Day of Service is an important reminder that our commitment to our community’s health extends beyond the clinic or classroom walls,” said first-year student Christopher Thompson. “Engaging in service on this day honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by embodying his principles of compassion and inclusivity.”
Second-year student Tima Vinca said: “Participating in MLK Service Day allows for the opportunity to directly immerse ourselves within the community and the ability to connect with individuals on a personal level, therefore, gaining an appreciation for our shared differences and unique experiences as human beings. We are able to actively support those who are underserved and also represent patient populations that deserve compassion, kindness, and openness to share their stories due to these individuals often experiencing discrimination and isolation.”
