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First year dentistry and dental hygiene students participate in Random Acts of Kindness

It started off as an Orientation Week ice-breaker, a way of introducing first-year dentistry and dental hygiene students to each other and to their new Halifax community. But it turned into something more heart-warming and more satisfying than anyone could have anticipated.

The idea was simple: all first-year students were gathered together on August 24, their first day at the Faculty of Dentistry, for an orientation briefing. They were divided into small mixed groups of dental hygiene and dentistry students – 11 teams in all – and asked to plan and execute Random Acts of Kindness in Halifax. The rules were: be creative, and don’t spend any of your own money.

One week later, they reconvened to report on what they had achieved. On a day of torrential rain, one group grabbed some umbrellas and headed to a nearby grocery store, offering to keep shoppers dry en route to their cars. Although some refused, many smiles and friendly words were exchanged. “Some people tried to give us tips or Tim Hortons cards,” said Alexis McLean, a first-year dentistry student from Prince Edward Island. “I said no, but I take high fives!”

One group trawled through their kitchen cupboards for non-perishable food items, which they donated to Hope Cottage. Members of another group looked through their closets for clothes they weren’t wearing and donated them to Phoenix Youth Programs. Other projects ranged from picking up garbage in Victoria Park, giving out homemade cookies and muffins, helping the elderly with their shopping, and even leaving Post-It notes with positive and funny messages for their classmates, instructors, and children at the IWK Health Centre.

Kindness is contageous

Regardless of their random act, what the students all had in common was the conversations, surprise, and pure pleasure they experienced from carrying out their good deeds. What started as a project ended with the realisation that very simple acts of kindness could result in so much happiness for others – and themselves. “We felt appreciated and that what we were doing was contagious,” said one participant. “One act of kindness led to others.”

Director of the School of Dental Hygiene Nancy Neish, who coordinated the initiative, told the students she was delighted to see them working so well together. “We work as teams in dental practice, as people helping people. That is what the health professions are about.”

“I think that this is an experience you will remember and I hope it will encourage you to get involved with your communities in the future,” said Dr. Tom Boran, dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. “Through these simple acts, each and every one of you has demonstrated tremendous compassion, care, and consideration for your community. Well done!”