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Special Smiles provides comprehensive oral health care information, including free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques to Special Olympics athletes and people with intellectual disabilities.  The program is designed to help athletes improve their health and their ability to train and compete in Special Olympics as well as life.  Special Smiles also aims to expose oral healthcare professionals to work with people with intellectual disabilities with the hope that the barriers this population faces to obtaining healthcare are diminished and more oral healthcare professionals are willing to treat this population.
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ORAL EXAM
(CHECK FOR TOOTH DECAY, ORAL TISSUE, HEALTH ISSUES)

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HYGIENE STATION
(TOOTH BRUSHING INSTRUCTION)

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MOUTH GUARD FITTING

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FREE GOODIE BAG WITH TOOTH BRUSH & TOOTH PASTE

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SCREENING TAKES 15-20 MINUTES

Want to volunteer at a Healthy Athletes event? Professionals and students in the following or related fields are eligible to assist with Special Smiles screenings: Dentistry, Dental Hygiene, and Dental Assisting. Contact Us!
Additional Resources
SPECIAL SMILES CLINICAL DIRECTORS
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ALISON SIGAL | Dr. Alison Sigal graduated from McMaster University with an Honours degree in Kinesiology before attending the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery and Masters of Science Degree with Specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry. Between programs, she completed a hospital-based residency at Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto).
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DON YOUNG | Don has been a Special Smiles Clinical Director since 2017 and is a Dentist in Thunder Bay.
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MAHEEN CASSIM | Maheen is a member of numerous professional organizations, including Canadian Dental Hygienist Association(CDHA), Past-President of Ontario Dental Hygienist Association(ODHA), and Past-President of Thunder Bay Dental Hygienists' Society(TBDHS). Within the community she regularly attends the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce after business meetings, and Thunder Bay Business Women Network.
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HAMID JOHN |
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ANITA MOOSANI | Anita has been a Special Smiles Clinical Director since 2021 and is a Paediatric Dentist in Toronto.
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CLIVE FREEMAN |
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MAUREEN ADAMS |
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TANYA ESCOFFERY |Tanya Escoffery, BSc, RDH S a clinical and orthodontic Dental Hygienist that has been working with craniofacial, cleft lip and palate, complex medical and neurodivergnet clients since 2002 and oversees the supervision of Dental Hygiene students from George Brown College.  She is a member of Canadian Dental Hygienist Association, Ontario Dental Hygienist Association, Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health.

OPENING EYES

The mission of Special Olympics – Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes® is to improve the quality of life for the millions of individuals diagnosed with intellectual disabilities by optimizing their vision, eye health and visual skills through quality eye care.

Learn More → STRONG MINDS

Strong Minds aims to teach athletes mental exercises and provide resources to increase relaxation and stress management skills.

Learn More → SPECIAL SMILES

Providing solutions to chronic dental problems, or providing an athlete with a mouth guard, can enhance the athlete’s performance.

Learn More → HEALTHY HEARING

The Healthy Hearing program serves as a global audiological screening, care, and referral program for our athletes.

Learn More → FIT FEET

Many Special Olympics athletes suffer from foot and ankle pain, or deformities that impair their performance. Athletes are not always fitted with the best shoes and socks for their particular sport.

Learn More → FUNFITNESS

FUNfitness is the comprehensive physical therapy component of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® initiative.

Learn More → MEDFEST

Special Olympics MedFest is a free health screening that facilitates the acquisition of the standard sports physical is required under the General Rules of Special Olympics, Inc.

Learn More → HEALTH PROMOTION

Health Promotion is a free screening that offers health information and advice in the areas of nutrition, sun safety, bone density, tobacco cessation, and physical fitness.

Learn More →