A project committed to improving the oral health of toddlers

Because it is essential that oral health begin at the same time as a child’s very first smiles, four third-year students in the Faculty of Dentistry at McGill University decided to set up a project aimed at providing young parents and all other caregivers with information about the various problems related to the oral health of toddlers. Alarmed by the shockingly high statistic that early childhood cavities affect 42% of Québec children by the time they start kindergarten, the four students wanted to immediately do something to remedy the situation despite their very hectic schedules. Their Bright Smiles initiative became a collaborative project that has led to the publication of an informational pamphlet and a “how to” video on oral health for toddlers.

A student committed to heightening the appeal of his region so as to stem the exodus of young professionals and see them return

For Simon-Pierre Murdock, a student at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, there is no doubt whatsoever that action needs to be taken to promote the contribution of young people and help lure them back to more rural areas. He therefore took advantage of his biology studies to set up his own company: Morille Québec, an enterprise specializing in the commercialization of forest mushrooms. The initiative, which he launched with a friend, aimed to provide a way of diversifying the economy in the Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean region, which was severely hit by the forestry crisis. He also sits on the board of directors for the Jeune chambre de commerce de Chicoutimi and helps organize events that facilitate networking between young entrepreneurs in the region. Simon-Pierre is involved in the J’entreprends program, which aims to raise awareness among elementary school students of the importance of setting up projects. He also participates in group discussion activities with high school students as a means of arousing their interest in entrepreneurship.