South Middlesex Times

On her left wrist, Hannah Ciullo carries a daily reminder of courage. The ocean-blue bracelet she wears was made by a little girl she treated on the school’s annual mission trip to the Dominican Republic.

“Sometimes I get feelings like, ‘I can't do this. This is too hard for me. This is too complex,’” she said. “I look at this bracelet, and I just remember, I can do it.”

Ciullo went to La Romana, Dominican Republic, as part of a program run by Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in collaboration with World of Smiles.

Surrounded by sugarcane fields, villagers of La Romana have sugar-heavy diets with limited oral health care.

“There are poor areas in the United States, but you don't see the level of poverty you see there,” said Herminio Perez, assistant dean of student affairs, diversity and inclusion, and the trip’s organizer.

He recounted how people often live in dirt-floor houses and wear soleless shoes. “Even though they need things, they are grateful that you are there and share with you the little that they have,” Perez said.

Like that bracelet.

The dental clinic is in a local school, Fundación Mir, and operates year-round with volunteer doctors from various dental schools. While they mostly treat children, parents and school staff frequent the clinic too. Perez organized Rutgers School of Dental Medicine’s first trip in 2017 with four students and a few attendings. That year, the group treated 86 patients in four days. Seven years later, the number of students doubled, and so did the number of patients. The team performed 346 dental procedures ranging from extractions to restorations to cleanings in four days in the clinic.

Over the years, the program’s impact began to manifest itself visually. “Seven years ago, we saw rampant [dental] decay all over the place,” said Perez. With the implementation of preventative measures such as silver diamine fluoride treatment to reduce cavities,“the difference is huge.”

Perez’s career began with caring for people in the South Bronx who experience barriers to access. This led him to devote his skills to increasing access.

“I found my mission as a clinician,” he said. He brings this calling to RSDM through the annual trip. Besides making a positive change in the community, he said the mission emphasizes the humanistic aspect of dentistry that can sometimes be forgotten during day-to-day work and transforms participants.

Sonika Shah, a three-time attendee of the program, can attest to that. Shah always had an affinity for outreach work because her mother grew up in India and went to a free dental clinic for most of her childhood.

“That’s always kind of been ingrained in me,” said Shah, who calls the trip "the most gratifying work I'm able to do.”

The first time Shah went on the mission trip was its inaugural year as a student when she was contemplating going into pediatric dentistry.

“I remember coming back from the trip thinking like I want to do it,” Shah said.

It also helped her expand her skills and connect with other dentists. After becoming a pediatric dentist, she returned twice as an attending. One of her patients from last year came up and hugged her this year.

“Last year he cried and screamed; this time he came in as happy as a clam,” said Shah, adding that the patient's mother expressed her gratitude.“It’s really heartwarming.I like going back to keep consistency for kids because a big part of pediatrics is not just doing work but building relationships.”

Similarly,Jalen Bonitto of Class 2025 found his calling as a pediatric dentist through this experience.Bonitto heard about mission during his interview

“It’s been on my mind since then,” he said

Going Dominican Republic,Bonnito partly excited partly anxious because volume patients they’d treat.During trip,would see up 10 patients day versus seeing about two patients day at school’s student clinic

“My biggest fear as dental student I'll be really slow with my time,but program gave me lot confidence myself abilities,"he said

Bonitto discovered knack treating kids.Because none cried during treatments earned nickname “child whisperer”

“It’s really rewarding get child open up,willing comfortable receive dental treatment without fear”he said.This,and other volunteer opportunities at school he said reminds why set out do dentistry:helping people

Being able serve community also what inspired Hannah Ciullo become dentist.She heard about mission trip while Rutgers School Dental Medicine Gateway Dentistry program college students

The team volunteers including trip's organizer Herminio Perez (middle row,last right),Hannah Ciullo '25 (front row,last right),Sonika Shah '18 (middle row first left)and Jalen Bonitto '25(back row second left).Courtesy Herminio Perez She awaited email third year

“It was career-changing"said Ciullo who had opportunity learn from attendings supported students during clinic taught them new techniques debriefed after each day

“I learned lot about own skills dentistry"said Ciullo who applying general practice residency programs"It taught give myself little bit more grace because I'm critical about myself,my work,my timing"

A student doctor,Ciullo felt could give back community.The attendings however gave back community,to student doctors also their profession

“As professionals,we ethically obligated share our knowledge resources skills others"she said."Leaving that trip,I just couldn't wait go back one day do same"