SIU School of Dental Medicine Students Conduct Screenings at Special Olympics
Third year dental students in the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) provided dental screenings, patient education and nutritional counseling to athletes participating in the Special Olympics Area 12 Spring Games held May 2 at SIUE’s Korte Stadium.
The 13 students conducted exams on 85 athletes through the Special Olympics Special Smiles program. SIU SDM has participated in the program for more than a decade.
“The dental students did a wonderful job educating the athletes regarding diet, beverage choices and oral hygiene,” said Dr. Poonam Jain, director of community dentistry in the SIU SDM. “Each screened athlete received appropriate referral, if needed, along with a goodie bag filled with a SpinBrush, toothpaste and other oral hygiene products.”
Special Smiles is a national program designed to provide dental screenings, patient education and nutritional counseling onsite to athletes competing in one or more Special Olympics events. Special Smiles is part of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program.
Photo: (Right) A third year dental student provides patient education.
(Left) Students provide a dental screening to a Special Olympics athlete.
