Bulletin of Dental Education Article

Around 3,500 athletes and coaches gathered on The Ohio State University’s campus for the Special Olympics Summer Games held on June 28-29. The event included track and field, bocce, bowling, gymnastics, powerlifting, soccer, tennis and volleyball competitions.

For Beth Chartier, RDH, M.P.H., Clinical Assistant Professor in The Ohio State University College of Dentistry Division of Dental Hygiene, the oral health of Special Olympics athletes is a concern she works hard to address. With more than 60 volunteers recruited from the college’s students, staff, faculty and residents, Prof. Chartier’s team provided 352 dental screenings for the athletes whose dental needs are often unmet.

Mark Wenzel, D.D.S., the General Practice Residency (GPR) Director, (far left) with GPR residents at the Special Olympics Summer Games.

“Special Olympics athletes around the U.S. currently present with a number of oral health issues,” said Prof. Chartier. “About 47% have moderate to severe gingival inflammation, 25% have untreated tooth decay, 9% need an urgent dental referral and 12% have mouth pain. This screening event helps to raise awareness of the oral health concerns of people with special needs.”

But creating awareness isn’t the only goal for Prof. Chartier and the volunteers who joined her. Working together, the team provided oral cancer screenings, fluoride varnish applications and oral hygiene instruction for the athletes.

“None of this would have been possible without the volunteers,” said Prof. Chartier. “We had students, staff, faculty and three dentists from the local community who helped make it all happen. And there were residents from the college’s General Practice Residency (GPR) program whose contributions were vital.”

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Mark Wenzel, D.D.S., the GPR Director said, “We have a total of 10 new residents, and this is a great activity to start off their year here at Ohio State. They are energetic, friendly and they have represented the college well.”

Emphasizing the importance of the dental screening event, Prof. Chartier added, “Working through Healthy Athletes Special Smiles, an organization that serves special needs populations, we’re drawing attention to the barriers that prevent access to dental care—and we’re working to make a difference in the oral health of people with special needs. We’re glad to be part of this important work!”

Courtesy of Kathleen Kennedy, Director of Executive Communications, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry

Published on September 11, 2024