STCC’s Community Dental Day delivers relief and smiles

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – More than 100 people in need of dental care walked through the doors of Springfield Technical Community College on May 3, leaving with more than just clean teeth or extracted wisdom teeth.

They left with a sense of relief, gratitude and hope.

The college’s seventh annual Community Dental Day offered free dental care to residents of Western Massachusetts who otherwise might not have been able to afford it. Organized by STCC’s Dental Sciences Department, in partnership with the Massachusetts Dental Society Foundation and the Valley District Dental Society, the event brought together volunteer dentists, dental assistants and students to deliver critical dental services free of charge.

“This is a great program,” said Julie Henriques, clinical manager at McNally Brothers Oral Surgery, who volunteered alongside two oral surgeons and five assistants. “We perform extractions, help people who are in pain. We’ve done quite a few wisdom teeth today. We look forward to this day every year.”

For Megan Quillen of Springfield, the day meant the difference between living in pain and finally getting relief. She recently sought treatment but declined when she was quoted thousands of dollars for the work.

“I’m here for a wisdom tooth extraction,” Quillen said. “I don’t have insurance. When I heard about this, I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll totally do it.’ I’m really excited.”

Another patient, Genesis Velasquez of West Springfield, had learned about Community Dental Day during a visit to STCC’s Dental Hygiene clinic in March for a cleaning.

“The girl who did my cleaning told me to come back for today’s event. I have insurance, but dental work is still expensive. This is awesome,” she said.

While licensed professionals handled fillings and complex procedures like wisdom tooth removal, students from STCC’s dental assisting and hygiene programs were on hand to support the procedures and gain valuable real-world experience.

There’s a huge need for dental care in Western Mass., and it’s important for us to provide this service. Dr. Michael Nardi, Volunteer dentist at Community Dental Day

“Basically, we help with setup, breakdown and assist the dentists,” said Szymon Tylec of Ludlow, a dental hygiene student who is graduating in May 2025. “It really helps people out, especially those without insurance, and it gives us a glimpse into how real-world dentistry works.”

Cherry Torres of Westfield, another graduating dental hygiene student, added, “It’s a good experience not only for us, but the patients are getting something good out of it. We’re helping to fill in those gaps in dental care that people might otherwise miss,” Torres said.

Dr. Michael Nardi, an event organizer with the Valley District Dental Society volunteer dentists, emphasized the importance of the day, not only for patients but also for the community of professionals and students who come together to make it happen.

“Today, STCC’s Dental Science program and the Valley District Dental Society partnered to serve our public health patients who need care,” Dr. Nardi said. “We had about 12 to 15 doctors in the morning and another dozen or so in the afternoon, plus numerous assistants and hygiene students. There’s a huge need for dental care in Western Mass., and it’s important for us to provide this service.”

Valley District Dental Society generously supports scholarships at STCC and provides dental kits.

Christopher Scott, Dean of the School of Health and Patient Simulation at STCC, praised the collaboration and impact of the event. “Community Dental Day is a perfect example of what STCC is all about: students, faculty, and local professionals working together to meet real needs in our community,” Scott said. “We are proud to offer our facilities and our talent to make a difference in people’s lives, while giving our students the chance to learn in a meaningful and hands-on way.”

Services provided during Community Dental Day included patient education, health screenings, diagnosis, X-rays and limited treatments such as fillings, extractions, sealants and assessments of urgent issues – all performed at no cost to the patient.

To learn more about STCC’s Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting programs, visit stcc.edu.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

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