Dental school’s annual Sonríe Clinic brings smiles to Hispanic community
Language barriers highlight the obstacles in the way of human connections — but a smile is universal.
East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine students, residents, faculty, staff, undergraduate student translators and community volunteers gathered in Ross Hall Feb. 15 to care for 47 members of eastern North Carolina’s Hispanic community. The fifth annual Sonríe Clinic — named for the Spanish word for “smile” — was the largest since the event began in 2021.
This year’s event, which began as a desire by members of the school’s chapter of the Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA) to help migrant farmworkers and the Hispanic community as a whole, was sponsored by the North Carolina Dental Society Foundation. More than 75 volunteers were on hand in addition to the record number of patients served.
“It’s an honor to care for this community,” said third-year dental student Krystal Jaimes. “This was my first opportunity to provide direct care to patients. In previous years, I had volunteered as an assistant and interpreter. Transitioning from explaining treatments to actually doing them has been incredibly special and rewarding.”
Jaimes serves as volunteer coordinator for HSDA and oversaw collaboration between the group and Association of Mexicans in North Carolina (AMEXCAN), using their platforms to connect with potential patients and promote the clinic. Jaimes also helped ensure patients had guidance signing up, filling out forms and finding answers to their questions.
Third-year dental student Annette Echevarria, president of HSDA, said this year’s turnout was a long time coming, as well as a jumping off point for future goals in serving the community.
“It highlights that there is a true need in this area,” she said.
An essential perspective
Dentists and dental students possess an inherent precision that lends to their practice — and this day was no different. With a packed waiting room and patients in the operatory bays talking with family members and translators who talked them through each step of their procedure, the clinic was service in action.
Dental student Peyton Piscorik consults with Dr. Scarlett Walston, dental school faculty member and alumna, during the fifth annual Sonríe Clinic.
Students from every class — in green, blue, maroon and teal scrubs — assisted based on their skill sets.
Dr. Alex Gillone, division director of periodontology and a faculty leader of the Sonríe Clinic, said that spirit of service is critical to dental education.
“It’s important for students in every class of the dental school to have the opportunity to volunteer at this clinic because it provides a unique and essential perspective on the broader impact of dental care,” he said. “By engaging with these patients, students gain invaluable experience in treating diverse populations and develop a deeper understanding of cultural competence, which is essential in becoming a well-rounded dental professional.”
Second-year dental student Kaylee Flannigan returned for another year of volunteering during the Sonríe Clinic, an experience she says is so special because of its unique mission and far-reaching impact.
“Being more involved with the delivery of treatment this year, as compared to last year, allowed me to understand the impact on the individuals’ lives,” Flannigan said. “Hearing about the lack of care my patients had and seeing the treatment that was delivered in one day was inspiring.”
Gillone said the event represents not only access to oral health care but a deeper connection to community resources for all patients.
“It’s more than just providing dental care — it’s about addressing the unique needs of the Hispanic community and making dental health accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. The growth of the event this year reflects the increased recognition of the importance of these services and the trust the community has placed in ECU School of Dental Medicine. It demonstrates the power of collaboration, community and service. We’re not only providing care but also educating and empowering individuals to take charge of their health.”
Dr. Acela Martinez Luna, division director of clinical implantology and HSDA faculty leader, said the clinic helps the patient population feel cared for.
“The clinic has grown popular among the Latino community, not just because the services are free, but because the patients feel valued, respected, and well taken care of,” she said.
Meeting patients where they are
Tamara Stephenson remembers the earliest days of the Sonríe Clinic, pre-screening patients beneath a cypress tree on a farm in Hookerton, North Carolina.
Krystal Jaimes, Dr. Acela Martinez Luna, Annette Echevarria and Dr. Alex Gillone helped lead the Feb. 15 Sonríe Clinic in Ross Hall.
Stephenson, public health hygienist and radiology technologist specialist at the dental school, said the clinic began by mirroring the school’s mission to reach out and meet patients where they are — a tenet the dental school has literally achieved through its statewide community service learning centers and its county-based outreach programs.
“It is important for all of us to try to live our mission, to serve the underserved, and improve the oral health of North Carolinians,” Stephenson said. “We saw 10 patients that day, and it filled our hearts with joy.”
Since then, members of HSDA have dug in their heels, finding creative ways to reach potential patients and get the word out about the clinic.
Echevarria said that in addition to using AMEXCAN as recruiting interpreters, the group sent flyers to local churches and current patients.
“We had several patients come because one of my patients posted our flyer in his store in Rocky Mount,” she said. “The flyers had a QR code so patients could register independently. We had to shut down the link and create a waitlist since we only had planned for around 40 patients.”
The correspondence didn’t stop there.
“We reached out to patients ahead of time to confirm their appointments and created a waitlist for others,” Jaimes said. “Many patients brought a spouse, family member or friend to receive care as well, so word of mouth played a key role in the turnout.”
The success of this year’s clinic also came from vital support through sponsorship from the North Carolina Dental Society (NCDS) Foundation.
“These events are done in concert with partners like the NCDS Foundation,” said Jon Jones, assistant dean for advancement and alumni affairs. “Without their support and the commitment from our faculty and students, we couldn’t have the impact on the lives of these individuals in a way that is so transformative.”
Sharon D’costa, fund development and program director for the NCDS Foundation, said ECU plays a major role in making dental care accessible to rural communities.
“The foundation understands that it is through partnerships and grantmaking in support of initiatives such as the Sonríe Clinic that it can stay true to its vision and serve communities across the state,” she said. “Having supported the clinic in the past and witnessing the incredible outcomes, the foundation’s leadership willingly approved ongoing support toward this much needed initiative.”
D’costa said Sonríe and other events supported through the NCDS Foundation help students better understand barriers to care.
“When dental students are exposed to the reality that the access to dental care is currently not equitable and that the need gap can only be met through collective efforts,” she said, “they are more likely to serve their community in the future through participation at Missions of Mercy and Give Kids a Smile events as well as other ways that work best for them, which goes a long way in bridging the oral health access gap.”
‘Inspiring this passion’
ECU undergraduate students like Aaron Mulkey volunteered for the clinic to help translate and lend a hand wherever needed.
Mulkey, a student in ECU’s Honors College and leader of Dental Brigades, volunteers for dental school events as an aspiring dentist.
“One of the greatest strengths of the ECU School of Dental Medicine is the hands-on experience it provides,” he said. “Witnessing the impact of their preparation firsthand highlights the school’s commitment to shaping highly competent and compassionate dentists, which not only benefits individual students but also advances the field of dentistry as a whole.”
Martinez Luna said every volunteer lends to the success of outreach clinics like Sonríe.
“Everyone plays a very important role in this clinic — whether they are greeting patients, assisting, cleaning or treating,” she said. “It comes full circle, as each task contributes to the success of the event and enhances the experience for the patients and the team. For the students, it also reinforces the idea that health care goes beyond just treatment — it’s about building relationships and trust within the community.”
Echevarria said the clinic also represents a common bond between patients and providers — living in eastern North Carolina.
“My understanding of our mission is to embody that spirit by serving our community in our pocket of North Carolina,” she said. “Many patients must sacrifice a significant portion of their workday to receive treatment, an obstacle that is especially burdensome for those who are uninsured. Additionally, language barriers make it difficult to effectively disseminate oral hygiene and general health education. This is why ensuring adequate interpreting services and offering accessible clinic hours are essential steps in bridging gaps in care and fostering a healthier, more connected community.”
Second-year student Brooke Holmes, part of the HSDA executive board, assisted throughout the day and had the opportunity to provide her first cleaning.
“Moments like those at the Sonríe Clinic remind me why I wanted to be a dentist in the first place,” she said, “to make it easier for our underserved communities like the Spanish-speaking population to access dental resources and education.”