Students and faculty from the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry recently extended their impact beyond the clinics and classrooms through a variety of outreach events, providing oral health services, education and resources to communities across the state.

San Francisco’s Chinatown Community Health Fair

More than 40 student and faculty volunteers served over 105 community members at the 31st Annual Chinatown Community Health Fair on October 17 at the Chinatown YMCA in San Francisco.

Dugoni School volunteers provided free dental screenings, oral health education, preventive care services and dental health kits containing toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss. Mandarin- and Cantonese-speaking translators were also available to help answer questions and share information about proper dental care.

Faculty members Dr. Bonnie Jue and Professor Christine Miller have overseen the school's collaboration with the annual Chinatown event for 15 years. The fair provides an important opportunity to reach individuals who may lack dental insurance and raise awareness about the importance of regular dental care.

Students participated as part of the school's Student Community Outreach for Public Education (SCOPE) program.

"Serving the local community here in San Francisco through the Chinatown Health Fair has been a goal of mine since starting at Pacific," said SCOPE leader Victor Chen, DDS Class of 2028.

"As an immigrant myself, bridging cultural barriers to connect community members through dental care and oral health education was deeply personal and rewarding for me. Beyond the patient care, it was an absolute privilege to collaborate with such a dedicated team of students, faculty and staff. Their shared passion and hard work made this event possible, and working alongside them made the entire experience truly unforgettable."

"The Chinatown Health Fair was a meaningful opportunity for us to work together, learn from one another and serve the community," added SCOPE leader Winnie Zhang, DDS Class of 2028. "Through peer mentorship, we were able to support each other, share our experiences and grow as leaders. It was especially rewarding to connect with community members, raise awareness about oral health and help them access the care and resources they need."

Yuba City Nagar Kirtan Festival

Students and faculty from the International Dental Studies (IDS) program in Sacramento participated in a day of service, cultural celebration and community engagement at the Yuba City Nagar Kirtan Festival, held October 31–November 1.

The annual festival is the largest gathering of Sikh people in North America and one of the largest gatherings of its kind outside India. Dugoni School volunteers hosted a dental screening camp, shared information about preventive oral health and introduced attendees to the Pacific Health Care Collaborative (PHCC), the school's community dental clinic in Sacramento.

California CareForce Clinic in Eureka

Eighteen students and four faculty members traveled to Eureka November 6–8 to volunteer at a California CareForce free healthcare clinic, serving community members in Humboldt County.

The Dugoni School team and other volunteers provided a range of dental services, including cleanings, fillings, extractions and X-rays. The volunteers helped expand access to essential dental care for individuals who might otherwise face barriers to receiving treatment.

California CareForce is the philanthropic arm of the California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. The organization brings together volunteer healthcare professionals, community leaders and engaged citizens to promote the health and well-being of underserved populations through no-cost healthcare clinics throughout California. Its pop-up clinics provide access to basic and critical dental, vision and medical services.

Veterans Dental Health Events in San Francisco and Sacramento

The Dugoni School continued its community outreach efforts on November 9 with its Give Veterans a Smile events in San Francisco and Sacramento, offering free dental screenings and health services to local veterans.

Held simultaneously at the school's San Francisco Campus and the Pacific Health Care Collaborative in Sacramento, the events provided veterans with access to dental screenings, dental X-rays, blood pressure and glucose checks, oral cancer screenings, health goody bags and more.

Held each November around Veterans Day, the events reflect the school’s ongoing commitment to supporting those who have served our country while helping connect veterans with important oral and overall health resources.