Students volunteer at Texas Special Olympic Games

Published: June 03, 2024 by Dylan Allen

Students and faculty from UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry participated in the Healthy Athletes program at several Texas Special Olympics events throughout the 2023-24 academic year.

The Texas Special Olympic Games hosted three different events throughout the academic year, including the 2023 Special Olympics Fall Classic in October, the 2024 Special Olympics Winter Games in February, and, most recently, the 2024 Special Olympics East Region Spring Games in April.

The dental component of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program, known as Special Smiles, is one of several medical specialty areas offering free health screenings and education.

“Overseeing student outreach events like the Special Smiles program at the Special Olympics is incredibly rewarding,” said Raha Naderi, RDH, MEd, director of community outreach. “It’s deeply fulfilling to see students develop both professionally and personally as they learn to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“These events not only enhance our students’ education but also highlight the significant impact our profession can have on improving lives.”

Volunteers included dental students and dental hygiene students as well as faculty, with several School of Dentistry representatives participating at all three events.

Before the start of the screenings, faculty and students were taught how to use the Brush and Bite Kit, a toothbrush kit designed for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The kits aim to create an experience that make going to the dentist and brushing at home much easier and positive. Volunteers could then give a demonstration to the athletes and their caregivers.

At the health screening, the students, dentists, and other volunteers collaborated to provide oral health screenings and health education to the Special Olympics athletes.

Specific services provided by the dental team included head and neck exam, oral health exam, oral cancer screen, and oral health education. Volunteers also arranged follow-up dental treatment for athletes who needed it by connecting them with local community resources specializing in care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The dental outreach participation was planned under the auspices of the dental school’s American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry Student Chapter, and the Student National Dental Association by faculty sponsor Esther O. Kuyinu, DDS, MS.

Other School of Dentistry outreach events throughout the past academic year included volunteering at events such as the Hope Therapy Adaptive Water and Land Sports Festival and the Nigerian Cultural Parade and Festival Health Fair.

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