MCC’s Dental Hygiene Program Partners with the International Institute

Middlesex Community College’s Dental Hygiene department partnered with the International Institute of New England (IINE) to provide dental services to 32 children from Afghanistan. The services – including x-rays, cleanings and fluoride treatments by a pediatric dentist – took place on two Fridays, April 15 and April 22.

“Our collaboration with the International Institute provides the MCC dental hygiene students the opportunity to address health disparities, improve oral health outcomes,” said Maureen Strauss, MCC Professor of Dental Hygiene. “The partnership also allows the students to share their knowledge, skill set and perspectives.”

The service is part of the mission of MCC’s dental hygiene program, according to Strauss. She reached out to the International Institute to offer preventative care and education because the department wanted to give back to the community.

"IINE has resettled 228 Afghan evacuees since October 2021, many who are in need of dental support,” said Caroline Rowe, IINE’s Lowell Managing Director. “Dental appointments have been hard to schedule and can get expensive for many of our clients. This event provided much needed dental support and education to recently arrived Afghan evacuee and Syrian refugee children. Not only did they get their teeth cleaned, but they had a lot of fun in the process! MCC Dental Hygiene staff showed each child that going to the dentist is fun and important. The event highlighted MCC and IINE's continued partnership to support refugees in the Lowell community."

Kim Mosher, an MCC Dental Hygiene student from North Andover, got into the field to help others. She is getting valuable experience early on in her career because of her time at MCC, working with patients in the clinic and with “brilliant professors who are always there to support and guide us.”

“This was an excellent opportunity to provide oral healthcare treatment and education for the children from Afghanistan,” Mosher said. “It is incredibly rewarding to be able to deliver access to care for those burdened with unfortunate barriers in our community. Participating in this experience and seeing the smiles on those children’s faces has made my heart full.”

From East Boston and now living in Milford, MCC Dental Hygiene student Jessica Picariello has wanted to work in the field for a long time. The experience and education she is getting from Middlesex – including through this opportunity – is helping her work toward getting licensed and one day becoming a clinic instructor.

“To be able to participate in this experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity that many do not get to be a part of, and I am very honored and grateful that being a student is allowing us to help these children,” Picariello said. “Our class has been very lucky that we have been one of the first classes to use the brand-new clinics with all the state-of-the-art equipment.”

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEW ENGLAND The International Institute of New England creates opportunities for refugees and immigrants to succeed through resettlement, education, career advancement, and pathways to citizenship. Learn more at https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fIINE.org&c=E,1,I3J0Dg5qgxgNRUtBKe7aRsNx4Fn0sHKuS7myKQahsId2ExYhePQ0yNAFB6o-AEW_x-cd5VDoxhMmNzFtsU2CZ8x-_hCRu34f8JMFVFSg6xcYmA,,&typo=1

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!