Five faculty and two students from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry took part in a daylong dental screening for nearly 200 athletes competing in the fall games of Special Olympics Nebraska.
Dubbed Special Smiles, the event is part of a larger Healthy Athlete initiative by the Special Olympics. At the event the athletes were given free dental screenings, comprehensive oral health care information and fitted for mouth guards. The event was held at the Abbott Sports Complex in Lincoln.
“Dental care is one of the most overlooked, yet easily treated health care issues many of our athletes face,” said Alisa Hoffman, director of health and community services with Special Olympics Nebraska.
Hoffman said that over the years the Special Smiles program has revealed that:
- 47 percent of the athletes screened have periodontal conditions;
- 37 percent have untreated tooth decay;
- 14 percent are in need of urgent care; and
- 14 percent have dental pain.
Ellen Hahn, D.D.S., Ph.D., an associate professor in surgical specialties at the College of Dentistry, who was one of the volunteers, said she enjoyed meeting the athletes.
“The athletes and their family members were so appreciative of what we could do for them,” Dr. Hahn said. “It was a great event.”