Humanities Professor Finds Fit at Dental Home

Could a long time college professor of humanities and social sciences find a meaningful position at KinderSmile Foundation as Deputy Program Coordinator, Community Services Learning Program (CSLP), the student volunteer component of KSF? At first, I wondered if development of a comprehensive student service/education program would satisfy my passion to teach, to mentor, and to keep learning. There were moments when philosopher Immanuel Kant’s mantra, “An ought implies a can,” became a warning not to make a quick return to the academic world which I found compelling and so comfortable, particularly during thoughtful discussion.

Kant says, If an act/motive is coming from the highest good and if that act would be carried out with a moral intention, the ought must be acted upon. It becomes an imperative. Building the CSLP into an outstanding, vital student-focused service program is my imperative.

Buoyed by Kant and my colleagues at KSF, the CSLP developed and the vision of a program where high school through dental students could volunteer both administratively and clinically became an actuality. Currently, ten students from Rutgers University, Montclair State University, Caldwell University, Big Picture Academy of East Side High School, Newark, and Mendham High School, are actively volunteering everywhere that is KSF—clinically, administratively, onsite and offsite visits, including preschool oral health education, dental exams, area health fairs and back to school nights.

Two volunteers are also interns; CSLP hours are a vital part of a college public health course and a high school career exploration course. Future plans call for more interns to take on specific areas of work/study, both to enhance the growth of KSF and to continue their own study.

With the continued growth of the CSLP, it will become a stronger, more active component of service and good—for the students who receive instruction, interaction, information and the company of working in a positive environment and those who benefit from their knowledge and excitement of being part of the KSF community. And the discussion, the mentoring, and the joy that comes from working with students will continue!