On February 1, volunteers for the UF College of Dentistry’s 10th Annual Super Sealant Saturday treated a record 225 patients with free, preventative care as well as oral health education about flossing, brushing and other habits to help ensure overall health. The children seen ranged in age from 10 months to 17 years of age. Children receive oral dental exams, dental sealants as needed and a fluoride varnish application to help keep teeth strong. Those with urgent needs were referred for additional care.
A student-led event held at the UF College of Dentistry, Super Sealant Saturday is a fun, child-friendly setting that offers face painting, a photo booth, visits with the tooth fairy and oral health goodie bags for children. This annual event was launched in 2015 under the leadership of Stephen Obeng, D.M.D., who was a junior dental student at UF at the time. Obeng attended the 2025 event and was honored for his contributions to creating this ongoing event that opens the dental school to children and their parents/guardians throughout the Gainesville and Alachua County community. Since its inception, more than 1,000 children have attended.
Obeng, a member of the DMD class of 2016, says he always had a passion for community service and during all four years in dental school, Obeng served as the community service chair. During his junior year, his classmate, Patrick Fitzgerald, DMD, pitched the idea for organizing a philanthropic dental day. Obeng and Fitzgerald worked with faculty and staff in the UF Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Science to bring the idea to life. Super Sealant Saturday was born. Ten years later, it continues.
“It’s an incredibly humbling feeling to see this event is still happening today. More importantly, it brings me great pride to see that so many students, faculty, staff, and volunteers are passionate about Super Sealant Saturday. My dream is to see this event continue to grow and to reach as many children as possible in the community,” Obeng said.
Every year the dental students organizing the event and this year’s theme, Frozen, was reflected in decorations, face painting, shirts, and costumed characters who arrived to spread oral health cheer.
Romina Homayoun, a member of the UF DMD Class of 2026, has been the president of Super Sealant Saturday 2023, 2024 and 2025. She said that the organizers already have the 2026 theme selected but that, for now, it remains a “big secret.”
She says that next year will be her last so she already is looking at it with “many emotions, yet we are already excited to do it again and we never tire of it. As we hand the torch off to future generations of dental students at UFCD, I am so confident in the continued legacy, growth and beauty of this event. The passion from all volunteers is palpable.”
Obeng was honored to attend the 2025 event and said, “I give immense credit to Romina and her team for planning and executing such an amazing day.”
“It is truly inspiring to see the UFCD community come together for this event,” said Olga Ensz, D.M.D., M.P.H., faculty advisor for Super Sealant Saturday. “The dedication and enthusiasm of our volunteers creates a positive impact on the dental health of so many children. Super Sealant Saturday exemplifies the spirit of service and collaboration that defines our college.”