School of Dentistry (SOD)
The International Brain Bee hosted by the UMB School of Dentistry
High School International Brain Bee: Founded by Norbert Myslinski, PhD, member of the SOD's Department of Neural Pain Sciences, the International Brain Bee motivates young men and women to learn about the human brain and inspire them to consider careers in clinical and basic neuroscience. Students are tested on their knowledge of the brain including intelligence, emotions, consciousness, vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch, pain, movement, sleep and memory; brain dysfunction including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, addiction, Parkinson's disease, depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy; and brain research including neuroimaging, neurogenetics, neuropharmacology, and neuroanatomy.
The SOD Patient Care Clinics offer patients a full range of high-quality general, specialty, and emergency dental care. Specialty clinics include the Ryan White PLUS Clinic and dental service for individuals with special needs.
Special Olympics Special Smiles: Part of the Special Olympics’ Healthy Athletes Program, the Special Smiles clinic allows SOD faculty and dental student volunteers the opportunity to engage and serve a population that often suffers from medical conditions, obstacles to oral care, and limited access to dental professionals trained to care for such a population. During the annual Special Olympics Maryland games, athletes receive oral checkups, fluoride varnish applications, and athletic mouth protectors.
Healthy Smiles for Baltimore Kids: HSBK is a student group focused on a holistic approach to educating inner-city Baltimore youth about health topics with the goal of improving their overall health and preventing poor lifestyle choices. Healthy Smiles volunteers at local elementary schools and Boys & Girls Clubs with a seven-week curriculum that includes lessons on oral hygiene, physical activity, nutrition, teamwork, community, and careers. HSBK also participates in local health fairs, providing games, oral health information, and oral screenings to the community. Email address: umbhealthysmiles@gmail.com
Charm of a Million Hearts Health Fair and Sealant Saturday: SOD students, faculty, and staff volunteers provide free oral health screenings yearly at this outreach event. In 2017, the fair was held at Lexington Market in Baltimore and the SOD Clinic was held in Perryville, Md. SOD student representatives from the American Student Dental Association and the Student National Dental Association provide comprehensive oral care information, dental screenings, and tips on correct brushing and flossing techniques. The Charm of a Million Hearts Health Fair also includes screenings and information on family primary care, heart health, diabetes, and cancer prevention offered by caregivers from the schools of pharmacy, medicine, and social work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.