Students Draw Inspiration from Annual Meeting
11/21/2011
GSDM HSDA President Fransheska Ovalles DMD 13 and Vice President Marian Ibarra DMD 13 attended the 19th
Annual Hispanic Dental Association Meeting, November 3-5 in San Diego, California. The annual meeting allowed
dental students and dentists from all over the country to discuss improvements in awareness and education of oral
health in the Hispanic population in the US.
“We were able to attend lectures that examined the efficacy and allocation of oral care such as, ‘Policy, Advocacy,
and Legislative Action for Improving Access to Care,’ and ‘Early Intervention in Community Programs’, “said Ovalles.
“We not only learned a great deal from the dental professionals and their lectures but we were also inspired by our
fellow students from the HSDA chapters from dental schools all around the US.” She continued, “Each chapter
presented posters of the many community service events they had planned throughout the academic year. All of the
chapters are heavily involved in international mission trips and community service events, and it was exciting to hear
and learn about their experiences and achievements.”
Ovalles and Ibarra also had the opportunity to meet and celebrate with alum Aidee Nieto-Herman DMD 90, MSD 84,
PERIO 86. Dr. Nieto-Herman received a HDA Women’s Leadership Award for her dedication to service, education,
and leadership in the Hispanic community. The duo was inspired by her community efforts including the organization
of a mentoring program with Boston Public Schools, countless international mission trips, and her implementation of
the ‘Give Kids a Smile’ program.
Ovalles said, “Dr. Nieto-Herman’s work is really an indication of her dedication to the improvement of the oral health
of Hispanic children around the world.”
She also added, “Being surrounded by an environment of genuine passion for community service and the desire to
improve the oral health of the Hispanic community has inspired us to continue with those same efforts at our School
and we know that the same enthusiasm will be shared by the entire HSDA Chapter and the GSDM community as
well.”