Special Smiles Volunteers at Josiah Quincy Elementary School

During the 2024-2025 school year, members of Special Smiles volunteered at Josiah Quincy Elementary School (JQES), working with students who have special healthcare needs and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). These interactive sessions introduced students to oral health, healthy eating habits, and dental office tools like gloves, bibs, glasses, electric toothbrushes, and suction straws. By familiarizing students with these items, the volunteers helped them feel more comfortable in a dental setting. Fun, engaging activities such as Jeopardy posters, “Tell, Show, Do” with Rex the Dinosaur, and “Happy/Sad Tooth” exercises made it easy for students to learn important oral health concepts.

The partnership between Special Smiles and JQES is always a rewarding experience. Together, volunteers and students explored basic tooth-brushing techniques and became familiar with various dental supplies. The students especially enjoyed the nutrition lesson, where they had the opportunity to try different fruits and vegetables! Special Smiles is deeply grateful to Josiah Quincy Elementary School for their continued support in making these monthly educational sessions on oral health possible.

If you’re interested in joining Special Smiles and making a positive impact by volunteering at Josiah Quincy Elementary School, please reach out to Tatiana Ozone (President) or Meghan Wright (Vice President) at Tatiana.ozone@tufts.edu and Meghan.wright@tufts.edu