DCG celebrates one year with Project Refresh

As a winter storm loomed over Augusta, Augusta University’s Dental College of Georgia chose service over shelter, showing up for its community when it mattered most.

On Friday, Jan. 30 before the snowstorm that impacted much of the CSRA, DCG volunteered at Project Refresh, a monthly outreach event held at May Park and hosted by the Augusta-Richmond County Health Department. Alongside warm showers, meals, clean clothing and essential hygiene supplies, DCG provided free dental screenings for Augusta’s most vulnerable neighbors.

For DCG Director of Community Outreach Programs Ketarya Hunt-Bass, the partnership began years earlier with a simple moment of awareness.

“A few years ago, I watched a local news report highlighting Project Refresh,” Hunt-Bass said. “Seeing the mission to help restore self-esteem and hope through such basic but meaningful services really stayed with me. It reminded me of our responsibility to help and the power of news media to connect people to needs in our own community.”

DCG Community Outreach Programs is led by a small team of two public health professionals dedicated to promoting quality healthcare and expanding access to oral health education. With funding support from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the team set a goal to increase oral health awareness by participating in local outreach events and providing oral health essentials kits. Project Refresh quickly became a priority.

“We committed to showing up monthly for as long as we can,” Hunt-Bass said. “Consistency matters, especially for the people we serve.”

That consistency is made possible in part by Community Outreach Coordinator Steve Huston, whose behind-the-scenes organization includes assembling kits, coordinating logistics and recruiting volunteers for each event.

“I’ve seen a change in the number of attendees,” Huston said. “Last year, there were around 500 people, but now that number has at least tripled. News about Project Refresh and the services offered has spread quickly, and transportation plays a big role. Augusta Transit shuttles people to May Park from designated locations each month, which removes a major barrier to access.”

In addition to distributing oral health supplies, DCG recruits dental faculty to volunteer alongside students and provide dental screenings, creating a more comprehensive outreach experience.

Huston said the event’s impact goes beyond healthcare.

“Personally, I’ve enjoyed connecting with people, both attendees and vendors,” he said. “It brings people together and helps connect individuals with resources they may not know exist or may not otherwise have access to.”

According to Greg Griffin, DMD, associate dean for Student Affairs at DCG, the partnership has had a lasting impact on both students and the community.

“This partnership has been incredibly valuable,” Griffin said. “Our students get the chance to serve right here in the DCG and CSRA community, and for those who’ve gone multiple times, you start to recognize familiar faces, both patients and volunteers from partner organizations.”

DCG students and employees serve as part of a cross-functional team that includes learners and professionals from AU’s Medical College of Georgia, public health programs and community organizations. Each month, the group delivers counseling, medical care and dental services to support Augusta’s homeless population.

“For me, personally, seeing familiar patients has been especially meaningful,” Griffin said. “I’ve screened some individuals more than once and remembered their names and stories. It’s a powerful reminder of how many people struggle to access care and how important it is that we keep showing up.”

Huston echoed that sentiment, noting the strong response from DCG students.

“The student response has been wonderful. Both DMD and dental hygiene students are eager to give back. Their passion for service really stands out.”

Huston also shared that community members frequently stop by the DCG table to talk about their experiences receiving care through the college.

“One person told me she came to DCG a few years ago to have her dentures done,” Huston said. “She is still wearing them today and loves her smile. She said no one can tell the difference because the work was done so well.”

DCG formally partnered with Project Refresh in February 2025, marking one year of expanding access to oral health education and basic preventive care for hundreds of attendees. The collaboration also provides students with valuable exposure to community-based care while increasing awareness of DCG’s clinical services.

Project Refresh, Inc. is grounded in the belief that access to a refreshing shower is a basic human right. By partnering with organizations that serve Augusta’s homeless population, the nonprofit connects individuals with resources that support physical health, mental well-being and pathways out of homelessness.

According to Griffin, the relationship continues to grow.

“It’s been a great way to build relationships, network with groups doing similar work and explore future collaboration,” he said. “Project Refresh continues to build a bridge that needs to be maintained and strengthened.”

The Dental College of Georgia is proud to continue participating in these monthly outreach events, with shower days held on the last working day of each month, rain or shine … or snow.