The solidarity work took place at the Centre for Temporary Immigrant Housing (CETI) in Melilla. There, the students and Dr Lluís Giner treated 80 vulnerable patients, performed extractions and oral hygiene, while training children between 5 and 12 years in prevention and teeth washing techniques, and giving away brushes donated by the company Dentaid.

Over the three days they were in Melilla, the students had the opportunity to visit two religious convents to give away toothbrushes and toothpaste. At the convents Divina Infantita and Monjas del Monte Maria Cristina, 21 orphaned girls from Morocco and people in vulnerable situations were treated.

Karen Curvando, Anneka Jacobs, Alexa Nader and Judith Roger Queralt are the 5th year students of the Degree in Dentistry who participated in this solidarity project. “This experience has marked a before and after for us – explained the students – it has brought us down to earth and closer to people who are fleeing their country, either because of situations of war or poverty.”

The students expressed their gratitude to be able to put into practice all that they have learned during the course in this project. “We have gone beyond the University, we have been able to teach, encourage and create a very close environment with the people who were there. Being a few metres from the border between Morocco and Melilla has allowed us to have our feet on the ground and be more aware of the reality to be able to look for quick solutions to the oral problems presented by patients”, explain the students.

The participation of the Faculty of Dentistry in this project reflects the social commitment of UIC Barcelona and adds to the various solidarity initiatives in which the Faculty collaborates, such as the Edugascar programme.