Sharing Smiles Day serves as a vital bridge

In the photo: From left to right, here are the names and roles: Emma Kucharski (junior Sharing Smiles Day co-chair (DH)), Madison McDougall (junior Sharing Smiles Day co-chair (DDS)), Elias Jirgees (Sharing Smiles Day co-chair (DH)), Adnan Black (Sharing Smiles Day external)

At the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry, the vision for oral health goes far beyond clinical requirements and "ticking boxes" for graduation. It is brought to life through the leadership of students like Emma Kucharski, Madison McDougall, Elias Jirgees, Adnan Black, and Hazal Ates, who came together to lead the 2026 Sharing Smiles Day event. This student-led initiative serves as a vital bridge, transforming a potentially intimidating clinical environment into a safe, joyful space for individuals across the neurodiversity spectrum.

For many individuals with disabilities, especially those within the autism community, a visit to the dentist can be a source of significant anxiety. The core mission of Sharing Smiles Day is to dismantle that fear by creating a safe space for discovery. The students achieved this through 14 carefully designed stations that introduced dental concepts through play rather than treatment.

One of the most impactful areas was the A-dec station, a dedicated "dental chair" experience. Here, participants were invited to sit in the chair, move it up and down, and explore common dental tools like disposable mirrors, gloves, and masks. By removing the pressure of actual dental treatment, the students allowed participants to get used to the sights, sounds, and textures of an office on their own terms.

The students emphasized educational engagement by transforming fear into fun and respecting the unique needs of their 60 participants. Activities included:

• "Brush the sugar bugs": A creative demo using whiteboards and marker marks to represent bacteria, teaching effective brushing and flossing techniques.
• Food education: A station where participants matched "healthy" and "not healthy" foods to learn their effects on teeth.
• Sensory-friendly tools: Volunteers introduced practical tips, such as using hourglass timers or three-sided toothbrushes to make daily hygiene more accessible.
• Creative outlets: Stations for dental-themed bingo and tooth-shaped cookie decorating provided a festive atmosphere.

Elias Jirgees, fourth-year dental hygiene student and organizer, said that the highlight of the day was the end-of-day play, featuring costumes of "Toothy," "Toothpaste," and "Toothbrush". In this playful performance, participants joined the characters in fighting off the "sugar bugs"—representing plaque and bacteria.

“This anticipated experience allowed everyone to gather and associate oral health with a friendly, fun personality, " said Jirgees. “We really felt that the event closed on a cheerful note, and that the participants left feeling excited to come back next year and thinking that ‘maybe the dentist is this fun after all.'"

As the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry looks toward March 2027, the success of this year’s event proves that student-led advocacy is the key to creating a more inclusive and less fearful future for oral healthcare. Through "Sharing Smiles," these future providers are proving that the most important procedure they can perform is building trust within their community. If you have any questions about Sharing Smiles, contact sharingsmilesalberta@gmail.com.