UConn Health

October 17, 2024 | Courtney Chandler - UConn Health

Dental Students Honor Hispanic Heritage

A month of community service and celebrating Hispanic culture

Third-year students Stephen Ogarekpe, Ekene Nnadika, and Princess Stark, and second-year students Lorens Carrasquillo and Bryson Christian perform head and neck screenings at the Healthy Living Fair in Norwich in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Students in the UConn Chapter of the Student National Dental Association/Hispanic Student Dental Association (SNDA/HSDA) have been celebrating the vibrant culture and significant contributions of the Hispanic community during Hispanic Heritage Month.

“I believe recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month is essential to celebrating the rich cultural contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities,” said co-president and third-year student Jaelon Blandburg. “It’s a time to honor the diverse traditions that have shaped our society and to promote greater understanding and inclusion. By acknowledging this heritage, we not only recognize past achievements but also inspire future generations to continue making an impact in fields like health care and education.”

Princess Stark prepares empanadas for the empanada sale.

Hispanic Heritage Month is from Sept.15 through Oct.15 annually. This year, students packed the month with several cultural activities, such as a salsa dance night, a “Wear Your Colors” day, and an empanada sale in the dental student lounge. The students also hosted educational workshops on medical Spanish and alebrijes, which are colorful Mexican folk art sculptures.

Co-president and third-year student Princess Stark said, “I was really happy with how both our Empanada Sale and Salsa Night turned out! They were great ways to celebrate Hispanic culture and bring people together. Whether people were enjoying the food or learning new dance moves, it was all about appreciating the traditions that make our campus more inclusive.”

To honor Hispanic Heritage Month, the students also got involved in the community with several service opportunities. In Windsor, the students partnered with the Hispanic Dental Association and local hygienists for Colgate’s Bright Smiles Bright Future education program to deliver oral health screenings and education.

Volunteering at Bright Smiles, Bright Futures in Windsor.

“As an SNDA/HSDA member, I had the opportunity to work alongside Colgate to screen, educate and interact with young children about the benefits of maintaining good oral health hygiene practices. By actively volunteering in the community we can increase the awareness and prevention of oral health diseases,” said first-year student Ted Pasquette.

In Norwich, the students performed head and neck cancer screenings at the Healthy Living Festival.

“SNDA/HSDA provides wonderful opportunities to use the knowledge and skills that we cultivate at the School of Dental Medicine to benefit the community,” said Bryson Christian, a second-year student. “At the Healthy Living Festival, I got the chance to provide head, neck, and oral screenings. We caught some suspicious skin changes and many oral health concerns and were able to point these patients to resources to address their issues before they develop more dangerous complications.”

Dr. Sarita Arteaga, associate dean for students, reflected on the importance of students participating in Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Hispanic Heritage Month is vital for dental and medical students because it highlights the cultural richness and diversity that shape patient care,” said Arteaga. “By celebrating this heritage, future health care professionals gain deeper insight into the unique challenges and strengths within Hispanic communities, empowering them to provide more compassionate, culturally competent care. Through all of these various events over the month, we have been able to continue learning outside of the classroom.”