It鈥檚 comforting to know that if times get tough, your community will be there to support you.
The fourth incarnation of Halifax Connects took over Citadel High School for a day earlier this month. The event鈥檚 mission, according to , is 鈥渢o provide a day of caring and sharing to those without homes or at risk of being without a home.鈥� At the event, local organizations provide services and information to more than 500 attendees: everything from haircuts and photo IDs, to blood pressure tests and dental assistance.
Ferne Kraglund is a dentist and assistant professor of dentistry at AV俱乐部. She鈥檚 chair of the Faculty of Dentistry鈥檚 outreach ventures, and for this year鈥檚 Halifax Connections, she called on the community to help fund dental kits with toothpastes, toothbrushes and floss. Support for the kids came from community dentists as well as through the Faculty鈥檚 Oral Health Development Fund.
鈥淭he fund is strictly for outreach services, we use this money to provide back to the community,鈥� she says, noting that the fund subsists on donations from company donors and alumni.
It鈥檚 the third year that the Faculty of Dentistry has been involved in Halifax Connects, and this year provided 500 dental kits in total.
Dr. Kraglund credited the event鈥檚 accessibility with much of its success, and says, 鈥淚t鈥檚 easier to go to different booths than different places across the city, and it鈥檚 a really non-threatening way to get people to access these services. It鈥檚 fantastic.鈥�
A rewarding experience
A true team effort from the Faculty of Dentistry made the day possible. One of the volunteers was Kenneth Nowlan, a third-year student.
Nowlan says he鈥檇 never done community outreach like this before, but thoroughly enjoyed being able to help people of all ages.
鈥淭here were a lot of kids that came by and loved being taught a bit about oral hygiene,鈥� he says, adding that he found it particularly important to be able to share more about the services offered by the Faculty.
鈥淚 found it really rewarding because a lot of people weren鈥檛 aware of the facilities that we offer and that [our services are] at a reduced rate, about 50 per cent of what you鈥檇 get at a private practice. As well, a lot of people really had no idea that we have an emergency clinic here.鈥�
AV俱乐部 students have proven more than willing to lend a hand. Dr. Kraglund said that when seeking volunteers, the only setback she has faced was always receiving too many responses.
鈥淥ur students are always asking to do something for the community. They鈥檙e very outgoing, community-based people.鈥�