UT Health San Antonio joins community back to school event hosted by San Antonio Spurs and Frost Bank

Offering free dental screenings, strategies to help children combat anxiety and numerous other health and wellness resources, multiple schools and programs of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio participated in the third annual Spurs x Frost Back to School Bash held Aug. 8 at Frost Bank Center.

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio participated in the third annual Spurs x Frost Back to School Bash held Aug. 8 at Frost Bank Center

Event organizers estimated more than 5,000 school children, parents, caregivers and teachers attended the free community event, which offered backpack and school supply giveaways, vaccinations, haircuts, dental screenings, and other resources from community organizations and vendors. The event was sponsored by San Antonio Spurs Sports & Entertainment and Frost Bank.

Dental screenings, asthma and self-calming information

The School of Dentistry attended the event for a second year, with more than 30 student and faculty volunteers from the Doctor of Dental Surgery and Dental Hygiene programs demonstrating the school's commitment to community health and well-being.

The School of Dentistry attended the event for a second year, with more than 30 student and faculty volunteers from the Doctor of Dental Surgery and Dental Hygiene programs demonstrating the school's commitment to community health and well-being. Dental students and faculty conducted over 160 dental screenings for both children and adults, providing early detection and care. Dental Hygiene students engaged the younger attendees, providing more than 450 interactive oral hygiene demonstrations. More than 1,000 dental care packets were distributed, each containing toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss along, with information on UT Dentistry's options for dental care.

Attendees who stopped by the Department of Occupational Therapy station had the chance to engage in a sensory activity and received information on self-calming strategies for children experiencing anxiety at school and how to ensure backpacks aren't too heavy.

Two programs from the School of Health Professions participated in the event, also for the second year. Attendees who stopped by the Department of Occupational Therapy station had the chance to engage in a sensory activity and received information on self-calming strategies for children experiencing anxiety at school and how to ensure backpacks aren't too heavy. Students and faculty of the Department of Respiratory Care drew a steady stream of curious children and adults with hands-on demonstrations of pig lungs inflated with mechanical and manual ventilation and a vest designed to provide airway clearance therapy by vibrating. They also provided information on asthma inhalers and spacer devices.

"I loved it," said Justin Garcia, a respiratory care master's student, of the chance to engage with the public. "All their faces lit up when they realized they could touch it," he said of the pig lung demonstration.

The University of Texas School of Public Health San Antonio, which welcomes its first cohort of students this fall, handed out more than 2,000 crayons, coloring books, rulers, pencils and cups.

The University of Texas School of Public Health San Antonio, which welcomes its first cohort of students this fall, handed out more than 2,000 crayons, coloring books, rulers, pencils and cups.

Resources for youth and teens

UT Teen Health showcased resources tailored for youth and teens, such as the Teen Clinic, which provides sports physicals and medical care in a teen-friendly environment, and Project YES, an evidence-based online module designed to help teens feeling sad or anxious build positive mental health skills. UT Teen Health also shared valuable parent resources, including materials for fostering positive relationships with youth, strategies for empowering youth voices and free online modules on trauma-informed care.

UT Health Physicians shared information about its sports medicine program, which offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation services to keep athletes and all South Texans moving.

UT Health Physicians shared information about its sports medicine program, which offers expert diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation services to keep athletes and all South Texans moving. UT Health Physicians received 190 entries for a drawing held at the event for free UT Health San Antonio swag and Spurs merchandise. UT Health San Antonio is the official sports medicine partner of the San Antonio Spurs.

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