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BCD volunteers turn out for Special Olympics Special Smiles
 Special Olympics Special Smiles was a rousing success
for athletes and volunteers alike. Baylor College of Dentistry sponsored the event for the fourth year in a row on May 3 at Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas. Dr. Silvia King,
assistant professor of pediatric dentistry, served as coordinator of the event.
"We value the opportunity our participation in Special Olympics Special Smiles has given our dental and dental hygiene students," said Dr. N. Sue Seale (BCD '70,
'72, '79), Regents professor and chair of pediatric dentistry. "They interact with the athletes and become more aware of the oral health needs of this special patient population."
 BCD volunteers included 41 students, 33 staff
members, eight faculty members and 23 others from participating organizations. The event drew 328 Special Olympics athletes who were given dental screenings by student teams of two (one to screen
and one to record the findings). The information collected will be sent to the University of Maryland to be included in a national study of special needs patients.
Staff volunteers registered the athletes, escorted them through the event, and gave them a T-shirt and an assortment of gifts including hats, toothbrushes and
coloring books. An education table staffed by dental hygiene students gave the athletes a chance to practice their skill with a toothbrush using puppets and oversized toothbrushes.
T-shirts were provided by donations from Delta Dental (which also provided toothbrushes and coloring books), Dentsply, Baylor Oral Health Foundation, Crest, JB
Dental Supply Company, BCD Alumni Association, Oral B and The Grottoes of North America Humanitarian Foundation. The Grottoes organization, a major national
sponsor of Special Smiles events, provides dental care for children with special needs. Alan Betker, a trustee of the Grotto Foundation, attended the BCD event, and local
Grotto members also served as volunteers. Members of Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity provided balloons and helium. Gracie Perez, administrative assistant
in clinical services, and Hagerty Advertising provided Jarito soft drinks for the volunteers and many of the athletes.
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