U-M School of Dentistry Dental Scholars made a major difference at an Ann Arbor School this summer.

Their community service - painting classrooms, cleaning facilities, and scrubbing cots - helped the Perry Nursery School save about $1,800. "We can now use those funds for our program to purchase educational supplies and for instructional purposes," said Heavenly Jackson, the school's development director.

Established in 1934 to help children from impoverished families, Perry provides affordable high quality schooling, on a sliding fee scale, to approximately 100 children throughout Washtenaw County ranging in age from 30 months to four years. The state-licensed school is one of only seven percent nationwide to be accredited by the National Association of the Education of Young Children.

James Skousen (left), Thao Le, and Hannah Budzinski paint a hallway outside a classroom at the Perry Nursery School. Photo by Jerry Mastey

Program Begins Second Year

In late August, a second class of 14 Dental Scholars joined their colleagues from last summer's inaugural class with a Friday evening dinner followed by the Saturday morning work at Perry.

The experience was one dental students and faculty members and Perry administrators will always remember.

"This is great, I really enjoyed being here and doing this," said Eric Skulsky a second-year dental student and member of the first class of Dental Scholars.

Ben Anderson, another second-year Dental Scholar agreed. "This was cool," he said. "I really enjoyed being able to help."

Dr. Robert Eber, who was one of several School of Dentistry faculty members who helped, was surprised with how much was accomplished in three hours. "It's amazing how much you can do when so many people are working together at one time," he said.

Dental hygiene students Maria Alspaugh (left) and Audrey Stratz cleaned dozens of sleeping cots. In the background is Anne Gwozdek, adjunct dental hygiene clinical lecturer and a Dental Scholars mentor. Photo by Jerry Mastey.

Jackson said she and others at Perry "feel fortunate to have such caring partners. We're deeply thankful the dental students were here. Their generosity and enthusiasm was something to behold. We'd love to have them back again," she said.

Outdoor Team Building Exercises

After lunch, boarding a bus, and traveling to the U-M Recreation Area, Dental Scholars participated in outdoor activities that challenged them to reach a goal through communication, collaboration, adapting to change, and leadership.

Most of the time, students participated in groups of eight or nine. In one activity they were challenged to cross a river, hemmed in by electric fences, using only two crates, two boards, and a small pole.

New Dental Scholar Julie Latham balances herself on one board as she begins placing a second board in an attempt to cross a "river" during Dental Scholars challenge activities. Mansi Goyal (left) and Sarah Miller (right), with the U-M Challenge Program, are ready to help Latham if she fell. Photo by Dr. Russell Taichman.

However, their final outdoor activity challenged all of them as a group.

One by one, the Scholars stepped onto a long platform that represented a boat. Beneath it in the center, was a board that made the "boat" teeter when it was unbalanced. At each of the four corners were small, air-filled balls that would squeak when that occurred. When the Dental Scholars heard a squeak that was their signal all had to get off the platform, reassess their strategy, and then reboard. They had just 30 minutes to develop a successful plan.

Even more challenging was that they were not allowed to speak as they approached the plank or once they were on it. Communicating all repositioning was done using hand signals. After several false starts and subsequent collaboration the Scholars did succeed in reaching their goal.

James Skousen (left) and Jason Schrotenboer use hand signals to communicate with Dental Scholars on how to position themselves so the plank, representing a "boat" they were on, did not tilt. Photo by Jerry Mastey.

Following a morning of community service at Ann Arbor's Perry Nursery School, University of Michigan School of Dentistry Dental Scholars and several faculty members, along with officials from the Perry Nursery School, posed for this picture. Photo by Dr. Russell Taichman.

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

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