An act of kindness by students at a Moncton college aims to put smiles on the faces of Syrian refugees.
Gift from the Heart is a national event, pairing dental hygiene professionals with those who need the help, but can't always afford it.
“This is an event where we're going to be helping a whole gamut of people,” says community health instructor Anne Caissie.
Alison MacDonald, with the New Brunswick Dental Hygiene Association, is looking forward to helping those who fled their homes for a safer place to raise their families.
“There will be translators here to help us as well and we'll be doing lots of teeth cleaning and of course we'll be doing lots of education for them,” says MacDonald.
Gift from the Heart started seven years ago, but Moncton is participating for the first time this year.
Oulton College's School of Dental Hygiene is hosting the event and students will have the opportunity to assist registered professionals.
“We're doing oral hygiene so there will be cleanings…and we will be referring if people need fillings and we'll do oral health instruction, so we'll be teaching them how to brush, floss and everything we've learned,” says student Sydney Nelson.
This Saturday there could be a couple hundred Syrian refugees seeking the free service. Caissie says the day-long event will also provide invaluable experience for the students.
“It makes them care about what dental hygiene is all about,” she says. “It’s promoting dental care and by promoting dental and by promoting dental care you promote a well-being of the whole person.”
More than 20 dental hygienists have volunteered to come in for the day.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis
