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Veterans Smile Day - A Pilot Program

Give Kids a Smile In Action
RCBC Students and Volunteers Sharing Their Time 2.7.2025

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for volunteering for this incredible event. We are honored to continue the 20-year legacy of hosting Give Kids a Smile Day at our dental hygiene program. Many people said that this year flowed very well, and the only thing we can contribute to is the dedication and amount of volunteers we had this year. You should be very proud.

And.......

We surpassed the goal of treating 100 patients; our final count of patients treated was 109!
Here are the 2025 GKAS day statistics:
109 exams
20 ortho evals
103 prophys
326 radiographs99 fluoride varnish treatments, 75 fillings, 4 SSCs, 5 pulpotomies, 18 extractions, and 11 SDF-treated teeth. An estimated $85,000 in dental treatment was provided in just one day!

RCBC Hosts First-Ever Veterans Smile Day, Bringing Free Dental Care to Local Veterans

On October 25, 2024, Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) proudly hosted its inaugural Veterans Smile Day, a special event dedicated to providing free, essential dental care to local veterans. Thanks to generous funding from the Mars Wrigley Community Service Grant, this first-time event served 22 veterans, delivering nearly $30,000 in complimentary dental treatments, including cleanings, scaling and root planing, fillings, and extractions.

The RCBC Dental Hygiene Clinic was filled with activity and compassion as 22 dental hygiene students teamed up with 30 experienced dental professionals and faculty members to offer high-quality care to those who have served our country. The event not only provided an invaluable learning experience for RCBC students, who had the chance to work alongside seasoned professionals, but it also allowed community volunteers to connect with veterans on a personal level.

One of the volunteer dental assistants expressed the significance of the event for her: “When I saw this come across my email, I knew I had to do this. My father was an Army veteran; he passed away about a year and a half ago. He was sick, and during his illness, the VA gave him so much to help with his quality of life. I knew when I saw this that I had to do this for the veterans. I wanted you to know this touched me to be able to give back to the community.”

To ensure continuity of care, veterans needing additional treatment were scheduled for follow-up appointments and provided with a list of local dental clinics to assist with any unmet needs after the event.

The Mars Wrigley Community Service Grant was instrumental in launching this initiative, enabling RCBC to reach veterans in need while fulfilling its mission to support community wellness. Veterans Smile Day is now a meaningful addition to RCBC’s community outreach efforts, and we look forward to expanding this event in the years to come.

A Grateful Acknowledgment:

Our heartfelt thanks go out to the Mars Wrigley Foundation, as well as the RCBC students, faculty, and volunteers who helped bring this event to life. Your dedication and generosity have made a powerful difference, ensuring that local veterans receive the care and recognition they deserve.

Congratulations to the 2024 Dr. Suzanne Land Scholarship Recipients!!!

Dr. Suzanne Land presented three dental hygiene students with a $500 scholarship to use to further their education and careers.

From left to right--Jasman Kaur (DHY class of 2024), Dr. Suzanne Land (dentist and supporter of the DHY clinic, practicing in Moorestown, NJ, Grace Ann Bartley-Anglin (DHY class of 2024), Veronika Mendez (DHY class of 2025).

Rowan College at Burlington County
900 College Circle
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Website: www.rcbc.edu/dental

Program Director:
Amy Shah RDH, MDH
ashah@rcbc.edu
(856)242-5234

Student Advisor:

Faith Zimnes RDH

fzimnes@rcbc.edu

Congratulations to Caitlin Phillips!

Caitlyn is the 2024 NJDHA Gurenlian Leadership Award winner from Rowan College at Burlington County.

Congratulations to Amy Shah, RDH, MDH

Join us in congratulating Amy Shah, RDH, MDH (Southern), the winner of the 2024 Mary Jane Kellogg Dutton Faculty Award winner. The Award will be presented during 10.19.24 Annual Conference Opening Session.