The Special Olympics,Inc. Healthy Athletes program is designed to help athletes improve their health and fitness. It is believed that this will lead to an enhanced sports experience and improved wellbeing. Currently, services are being provided in vision care, nutrition, physical therapy, hearing and oral health. The oral health program, which began in 1993, is called Special Olympics Special Smiles(SOSS). This program offers oral health screening, education, information and guidance toward follow-up care. A collaborative effort among Special Olympics,Inc., Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and the Centers for Disease Control has resulted in the collection of data on oral health status of athletes at a number of SOSS events. Evaluation instruments and a standardized examination methodology have been developed through this collaboration. A report of findings from the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games has been released by Special Olympics,Inc. with support from Oral Health America, the North Carolina Health Department and the CDC. In 2000, prevalence data were collected from a convenience sample (N=9455) which included athletes who attended 36 SOSS events throughout the U.S.A. and 765 athletes from games in the Netherlands and Israel. Prevalence data are presented regarding oral health practices, oral pain, treatment urgency, untreated caries, restorative care, sealants, fluorosis, gingivitis, and edentulism. Data are reported as overall, US, and site specific.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Oral Health Needs, Special Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.