Future dentist learning through serving others

Caroline Burrows’ volunteer work is two-fold: her commitment to helping others through outreach is also preparing her for a career in dentistry.

“Being an out-of-state student, I recognize that I am a guest in Auburn and the state of Alabama,” said Burrows, a sophomore in Auburn’s Public and One Health (PAOH) program. “Giving back to the surrounding community has really allowed me to understand the people who live in it, and I feel like I am a part of the community, instead of just a student passing through for a degree. Being a competent dentist requires listening and building patient-provider relationships, and I have been able to grow this skill throughout my work.”

Burrows, who is originally from New Hope, Pennsylvania, is currently enrolled in “Observing Needs in Public Health,” a required course in which PAOH majors complete 45 hours of volunteer work with community organizations that support public health, animal population health or environmental health. Students work on issues ranging from literacy and food insecurity to caregiver support and increasing access to medical care.

“This class and these volunteer experiences are so valuable to our students, because for many or most of them, it’s the first time they get out of the classroom and into the community,” said Kelley Steury, PAOH program co-director. “On the first day of class, I describe the course as engaging the students' head, hands and heart: the head through critical thinking in the classroom, the hands through meaningful service in the community and the heart through genuine connection to the causes that inspire them.”

And with plans to attend dental school, the cause that inspires Burrows is distributing oral health kits containing supplies like toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss to residents of rural Chambers County, Alabama.

“A cornerstone of public health is prevention over treatment,” Burrows said. “Many residents in underserved communities do not have access to affordable health care, so if they are faced with an oral health problem, they may not have the resources or access to a dentist to treat it. If we’re able to give residents supplies and information to help prevent oral health problems, it helps reduce the need for treatment.”

Burrows distributes kits at Zek’s 37, a local restaurant that hosts a free dinner open to all community members on Sunday nights. And with help from Auburn Outreach’s Rural Health Initiative, she has established an oral health supplies closet at the Chambers County Community Health and Wellness Center, where she volunteers each week assisting community members in using the OnMed telehealth station.

Outside of her work for class, Burrows is also a member of Rural Health Connect, a campus organization that matches students with community members in Chambers County. They visit in person once a month and stay in touch weekly by phone or email.   

“During visits, we talk, color and play games with our partners, providing companionship and comfort, and we are also provided resources for their health care needs,” Burrows said. “Being a health partner has taught me that what might seem like a small gesture in my life can make a big difference in others.”

Professor Linda Gibson-Young of Auburn’s College of Nursing, who serves as Burrows’ site mentor, said she is truly having a positive impact on the community.

“I am proud to see Caroline’s outstanding work in Chambers County highlighted through her leadership in Rural Health Connect and her commitment to expanding oral health access for rural residents,” Gibson-Young said. “She is a terrific student.”

Both her volunteer work for her class and her outreach activities are giving Burrows plenty of experience in community care, which she believes is preparing her for a career in dentistry. She said while the PAOH program, which is housed in the College of Veterinary Medicine, has helped her develop the hard sciences background required for admission to dental school, it’s also given her a more holistic understanding of health care and barriers to access. She recommends all pre-health majors volunteer in the community for both the experience and the real-world education.

“I think in order to be a competent health care provider, direct patient care is only half of it; there are many other interacting factors that affect health,” she said. “Not only has my major prepared me to professionally interact with patients, but it will allow me to become a more equitable and socially conscious provider, understanding that health care access isn’t easy for everyone.”

Burrows has also found her outreach work to be an excellent way to develop leadership skills, given that she’s currently approaching local organizations for support and actively applying for grants to build up her supplies.

“I’m hopeful I’ll receive more funding, which will allow me to continue to serve Chambers County and maybe even areas beyond it,” she said. “With additional funding, I hope to coordinate with local dental offices to set up free dental screenings at the Chambers County clinic. This work has taught me that if there’s something I want to achieve, I need to just go for it.”

If you would like to support Burrows in her work, email her at cgb0116@auburn.edu.