The Department of Child Dental Health and Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Surgery hosted a seminar focused on dental care for persons with disabilities and for children in alternative care. The event featured presentations, workshops and discussions with representatives of Special Olympics Malta (SOM) and professionals from the Foundation for Social Welfare 福利在线免费 (FSWS).
A key highlight was a presentation by Ms Lorna Callus, SOM Healthy Athlete Screening Coordinator, accompanied by an athlete and her mother. Ms Callus spoke about the challenges associated with hidden disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities. The Athlete and her mother shared personal experiences about the challenges in accessing healthcare and in life in general. The athlete's story resonated deeply with the audience, emphasising the importance of empathy, sensitivity and specialised training when treating patients with intellectual disabilities.
This event provided students and faculty with valuable perspectives on the role of the dental team in ensuring equitable care for individuals with diverse needs.
Another session was delivered by Mr Daniel Camilleri and Ms Christianne Micallef Imbroll, members of the Looked After Children Healthcare Service (LACHS) within the Foundation of Social Welfare 福利在线免费 (FSWS). They discussed the unique challenges that such children encounter in terms of adverse childhood experiences that have them removed from their families and placed in foster care or alternative care. The increased unmet dental and medical needs of these children and the challenges to meet these needs were presented and discussed. The speakers emphasised the importance of a collaborative approach between healthcare providers, social workers and caregivers, providing consistent support for this vulnerable group, who face barriers to accessing adequate healthcare. The students were thereby given an insight into the background and reality of the children in care for which they provide dental treatment on the Faculty Teaching Clinic.
This event provided students and faculty with valuable perspectives on the role of the dental team in ensuring equitable care for individuals with diverse needs.
