DENTISTRY

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. 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 with a smile.

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 for the Education of Young Children.

Students Enthused

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.

Outdoor Team Building Exercises

After lunch, boarding a bus, and traveling to the U-M Recreation Area, Dental Scholars participated in several 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 an imaginary river, hemmed in by electric fences, using only two crates, two boards, and a small pole.

However, their final outdoor activity challenged all of them.

One by one, the Scholars stepped onto a long plank that represented a boat. Beneath the plank 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, all of them had to get off the plank, 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 was done using hand signals. After several false starts and subsequent collaboration the Scholars succeeded in reaching their goal.

A Transformation

The work of Dental Scholars impressed Perry Nursery School administrators, including family services director, Mary Fabirkiewicz. The photos above show a room before bookcases were moved from the center of a room to walls so children could move about freely. The results of their work are evident in the photo on the right. "Wow! What a transformation!" Fabirkiewicz exclaimed as she walked into the room. "I can't believe we have so much space again. It's wonderful!"

Dental Scholars also found ways to have some fun. After cleaning one classroom, some found sunglasses and posed for this photo. Pictured left to right are: Robert Wiesen, Darlene Occimio, Sara Arnold, Keith Dobracki, Julia Latham, Eric Skulsky, Megan Dubois, Lindsay Rayburn, and Karen Janusz.

Dental Scholars: Overview

Launched in 2006, the Scholars Program in Dental Leadership, as it's formally known, brings together a select number of exceptional students with diverse backgrounds to help them develop a leadership mindset and the skills they can use to promote change in dentistry, dental hygiene, education research, or academia. More information is on the School of Dentistry Web site: www.dent.umich.edu/prospective/spdl.

New Dental Scholars

Stephanie Nuñez (D1)

Meghan Dubois (D1)

Julia Latham (D1)

Lindsay Rayburn (D1)

Javana Cosner (D1)

Victoria Lucas-Perry (D1)

Elizabeth Caplis (D1)

Stephanie Munz (D1)

Karen Janusz (D1)

Michael Barber (D2)

Sara Arnold (D2)

Robert Wiesen (D2)

Malije Onwueme (D3)

Maria Alspaugh (DH3)