BUSDM Volunteers Bring Smiles to Special Olympians

Olympic silver medallist Nancy Kerrigan joined more than 100 BUSDM volunteers at MIT Saturday, June 17, to screen athletes for oral health issues at Massachusetts’ annual Special Olympics.

Special Smiles dental screenings are an integral part of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative, created to focus on the health issues facing Special Olympics athletes. Screenings introduce people with disabilities to dentists, demystify dental care for patients, and encourage dentists and dental students to provide care for this underserved population.

BUSDM has been a strong supporter of Special Smiles since 1993, when the program was pioneered by the school and Stephen Perlman PEDO 76, clinical associate professor.

Data collected from the screenings are compiled for analysis with data from similar screenings around the world. This information yields important insights into deficiencies in dental care.

Stacey McNamee, alumni officer, again coordinated the school’s volunteers.