The 2022 Special Olympics Invitational Games had long been saved in Faculty of Dental Surgery’s calendar. The 14 to 17 May 2022 have seen Malta proudly host this year’s games and the Faculty of Dental Surgery has had the pleasure of being responsible for running the Healthy Athletes Special Smiles® screening event.
Oral healthcare is one of the biggest unmet healthcare needs for individuals with intellectual disabilities. People with intellectual disability often experience difficulty with oral hygiene due to level of manual dexterity or cognition, have a greater prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease, experience oral trauma and injury more often than the general population and face substantial barriers accessing dental care. Additionally, they often have other chronic medical conditions and comorbidities and may take medications that exacerbate their oral health issues.
The mission of Special Smiles® is to increase access to dental care for Special Olympics athletes, as well as all people with intellectual disabilities. Staff, students and friends of the Faculty of Dental Surgery volunteered in offering free dental screenings for over 1200 athletes from around the globe, as well as individuals with intellectual disabilities attending local support centres. These screenings are used as a means to increase awareness of the importance of oral health for the athletes themselves, as well as their parents and/or caregivers. Data related to oral health is recorded and collected so it can then be analysed both locally and internationally, to determine the dental needs of Special Olympics athletes and how well these needs are being met. The mouth, being a window for all the body, allows the same data collected to serve as an indicator of general health.
Faculty volunteers for Special Smiles® also provided comprehensive oral health care information and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques to athletes, their guardians and carers. Athletes also received a goodie bad with preventative supplies, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash kindly provided by local sponsors.
Dr Gabriella Gatt, Deputy Dean and Head of Department Child Dental Health and Orthodontics within the Faculty of Dental Surgery, in her role as local Clinical Director for Special Smiles, Special Olympics Malta, took care of coordinating the participation of the Faculty in this event. Such participation underscores the Faculty’s sense of duty towards the community and its belief in outreach. Everyone should have the opportunity to be healthy – inclusion and equity in healthcare is a necessity and a right for persons with disabilities and the Faculty of Dental Surgery has demonstrated this by action.
Everybody’s eager participation in the Special Smiles® screening event made it a memorable and moving experience, truly leaving the Faculty’s volunteers with lots to smile about!
