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With schools closed due to COVID-19, thousands of students cut off from dental care

When schools across Massachusetts closed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of students lost access to dental care. The ForsythKids program responded by hosting pop-up clinics at community centers across the state.

Our efforts were featured in the Boston Globe today:

On Tuesday, ForsythKids ― a mobile, school-based oral health program that provides preventive care in Lynn, Randolph, Boston, and Cape Cod ― set up a pop-up clinic inside the Boys and Girls Club in Lynn for about three hours, offering cleanings, fluoride treatment, and a visit with the dentist. It was their second visit at the site, and four children ― ages 2 to 11 ― were seen, said Mandy Sadri, one of the program’s managers.

ForsythKids business manager Mandy Sadri took the temperature of 2-year-old Emma Alvarez while her mom, Grace Duran, comforted her from behind.ERIN CLARK/GLOBE STAFF

The team aims to get the word out and serve more children. But it’s been tough getting community spaces because of the pandemic.

“Our mission is to provide care for these children,” Sadri said. “The message for these families is that we are still here for them.”

Grace Duran held her 2-year-old daughter, Emma Alvarez, while ForsythKids dental hygienist Roquel Norris took a look at her teeth with the help of dental assistant Linda Joyce (left) and dentist Helen Nguyen. ERIN CLARK/GLOBE STAFF

Read the full article here.

Do you want ForsythKids to visit your community? Contact us: Call/Text – 617-453-8540, Email – forsythkids@forsyth.org.

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