Students at Western Maricopa Education Center (West-MEC) – a public career technical education district – volunteered at the 8th annual Arizona Mission of Mercy (AZMOM). The organization provides free dental care to those in need.
On December 12th, over one hundred students from West-MEC’s Northwest and Southwest campuses went to the Arizona State Fairgrounds to transform the Veterans Memorial Coliseum into a dental clinic.
The clinic provides a range of free services, including extractions, fillings, and cleanings. All the dental care is provided by volunteer dentists and hygienists, along with donations to cover equipment and supplies.
Dental stations at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum floor. Photo courtesy of West-MEC
“Our students sped up the setup process by a great deal. I’ve volunteered for AZMOM for 8 years, and this is the first time we weren’t still setting up late into the night,” said Julie Ehrman, Dental Assisting Instructor at the Southwest Campus.
Senior students in the dental assisting program returned on December 13th and 14th to assist in providing care to patients, helping pass tools, polish teeth, and sterilize equipment.
Throughout the event, students networked with dental professionals and experienced different dental issues that they wouldn’t see until they are further into their education.
Students prepare to start signing in patients. Photo courtesy of West-MEC
“Participating in this type of community event allowed them to think outside of themselves and about how their skills could help others that don’t have access to the dental care they need. I think these types of events not only help them with professional skills but more importantly, it helps them to develop compassion for others and grows their desire to help others more often,” said America Segura, Career Services Coach at the Northwest Campus.
About West-MEC:
West-MEC is a public career technical education school district that focuses solely on innovative career and technical education (CTE) programs that prepare students to enter the workforce and pursue continuing education.
West-MEC CTE programs provide students opportunities to earn college credit and industry credentials. West-MEC serves more than 38,000 students from 48 high schools, across 3,600 square miles in the northern and western cities of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. West-MEC now also offers adult education programs.
Visit www.west-mec.edu for more information about West-MEC’s career-driven education opportunities or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
