Dental Students Promote Oral Health at Chicago Cancer Awareness Event
CDMI students join LUCERO and University of Chicago Cancer Center to educate families on oral hygiene and cancer prevention
CDMI students and Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA) faculty advisor, Dr. Melisa Alabsy, D.D.S., M.H.A. (third from left), before the start of the event.
On Saturday, March 22, dental students from the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI) attended the third Annual Health and Resource Fair at Richards Academy in Chicago. The event, held in recognition of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, was organized as part of an outreach program supported by LUCERO (Latinos United for Cancer Education, Research, and Outreach) in collaboration with the University of Chicago Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Empowering Latino Community through Oral Cancer Education and Prevention
The fair focused on educating the Latino community about various health issues, including oral cancer prevention and the importance of maintaining good dental hygiene. CDMI students and faculty participated in discussions aimed at reducing cancer disparities within the Latino population, sharing valuable resources on proper dental care and the connection between oral health and cancer prevention.
Dental Students Offer Resources at Richards Academy
Luis Tapia, a third-year dental medicine student at CDMI, shared his reflections on the event. 鈥淎ttending the event on oral cancer was an eye-opening and inspiring experience. The discussions were insightful and brought together dental students who shared information about the school鈥檚 services and discussed risk factors. Events like this truly highlight the power of education and collaboration in making a real difference in healthcare.鈥
Marina Curiel, a fourth-year dental medicine student at CDMI, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to engage with the community. 鈥淭his event provided a valuable opportunity for CDMI to engage with the community by distributing oral hygiene kits and essential educational resources, particularly on oral cancer prevention. Raising awareness about oral cancer in minority communities is critical, as it is often under-recognized and not prioritized in public health education,鈥 she said. 鈥淏y offering both preventive resources and informative presentations, these events help address these gaps and promote better health outcomes in underserved communities. We are honored to have been participants in such an impactful event and look forward to more in the future.鈥
The outreach event, which was well-attended by local residents, served as a reminder of the importance of early detection and preventive care in reducing health disparities in the Latino community. Participants received oral hygiene kits, educational materials, and valuable information on how to reduce the risk of oral cancer.
CDMI is committed to supporting community health initiatives and providing education to underserved populations.
