ECU dental school’s Sonríe Clinic creates smiles

ECU dental school's Sonríe Clinic creates smiles

The sixth annual Sonríe Clinic in Ross Hall breathed new life into a special event created through a labor of love.

The student-led event, headed up by the school's chapter of the Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA) and its president, Brooke Holmes, provided care in February for 80 patients - adding up to $35,000 worth of care.

The Sonríe Clinic, which was created by dental students in 2021, provides oral health care at no cost to members of the Hispanic community who have been screened in advance. This year's event was also sponsored by the North Carolina Dental Society Foundation.

A testament to their commitment to service, 91 volunteers - 42 dental students, 25 pre-dental students who served as translators, 12 staff members and 12 faculty members - teamed up to ensure the day ran efficiently.

"I wanted to expand to treat every patient that signed up," Holmes said. "We had 85 sign up and only five were unable to come, which is a testament to the Hispanic community's gratitude and willingness to come and receive oral care."

Holmes said the teamwork was key to accommodating the patient schedule.

"Everything came together seamlessly because of everyone's support," she said. "My amazing executive board was a huge help in crossing things off of my to-do list leading up to the clinic day. Managing such a huge event also meant that during the clinic I flexibly made patient accommodations with the help of Daniela and Katelyn at the front desk."

The event not only provides dental care for patients; it is an opportunity for students to gain experience running a dental office, managing schedules and unexpected challenges and delegating responsibilities to classmates and faculty volunteers.

"It was a surreal experience to give assignments to the faculty that has been teaching me everything that I know over the last three years, but it was the most respectful collaboration that I could have imagined," Holmes said. "Because service is in the hearts of all of us at the ECU School of Dental Medicine, it was easy to be a leader on this day and the planning of it, thanks to everyone's selfless support."

HSDA Vice President Xailyn Batista said Sonríe Clinic is a chance to get to the heart of the school's spirit of service.

"Being part of this clinic meant so much to me, especially as a Latina," she said. "It was more than providing dental care. It was leadership, patient education, and community service all in one. In many Hispanic households, dental care is not always prioritized like other medical needs, often due to cultural norms, financial barriers or limited access. Being able to educate patients on prevention while creating a space where they felt seen and comfortable was incredibly meaningful. This experience reminded me that dentistry is not just about procedures. It is about building trust, serving my community and growing into the kind of leader I aspire to be."

Batista said the event also gives dental students exposure to special populations and patients facing health disparities.

"It is important for ECU dental students to take active roles in events focused on special populations because these communities are often overlooked," she said. "Many Hispanic patients face language barriers, financial challenges and mistrust of the health care system. As future providers, we must learn to serve with cultural awareness and compassion. Experiences like this help us grow not only clinically, but also as leaders and advocates committed to improving access to care."

Faculty members Dr. Acela Martinez and Dr. Alex Gillone have helped lead the Sonríe Clinic since its creation.

"The Sonríe Clinic is one of the most meaningful initiatives I have the privilege to be part of each year," Martinez said. "It is incredibly rewarding to see our students come together with such dedication and compassion to provide care for Hispanic patients who often face barriers to accessing dental services. Beyond delivering treatment, the clinic creates a welcoming environment where patients feel understood and supported. I am deeply proud of the ECU HSDA students and all the volunteers whose commitment makes this event possible and truly impactful for our community."

Gillone said the professionalism and efficiency the student leaders showed this year was a pathway for more patients to receive care.

"The dedication and professionalism demonstrated by the ECU HSDA chapter were truly impressive, and we are especially grateful for ECU's support in making the event possible," he said. "It was inspiring to see such strong engagement from both our dental and pre-dental students. It's incredibly rewarding to see this event growing each year and making a meaningful difference by supporting the Hispanic community with their dental care needs."

Holmes said the involvement of undergraduate students who are interested in dentistry is also a key element of improving oral health care across North Carolina.

"It was an honor to be able to introduce the pre-dental students to our school in this light," she said. "The overwhelming response from the Hispanic community and those that volunteered their time confirms my love for all that comes with being a dentist, especially the positive response to community outreach and engagement that goes a long way."

Dental student Yushan Xie looks forward to volunteering her time and skills to the Sonríe Clinic each year. Xie is currently an ECU Health Schweitzer Fellow, working on a project that streamlines access to oral health care for cancer patients. Xie said a quote from physician and humanitarian Albert Schweitzer sums up her Sonríe Clinic experience.

"'The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.'"

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