DDS, Outreach, Students

UNC Student National Dental Association Receives Award

In May 2004, the Student National Dental Association received the Student Award for excellence in and commitment to the area of dentistry for persons with disabilities, sponsored by Special Care Dentistry and the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities. This recognition was for their participation in the Special Olympics Special Smiles® program at the Special Olympics 2003 Summer Games in Raleigh, NC. Martha Taylor, serves as Coordinator for Special Smiles. Rhonda Kearney, SNDA immediate past president served as the SNDA facilitator of the event. Special Olympics Special Smiles® is one of the core components of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative, created to focus attention on the overall health issues facing Special Olympics athletes. The mission of Special Smiles is to increase access to dental care for Special Olympics athletes, as well as all people with intellectual disabilities. Participation in Special Smiles is an excellent way to increase exposure in patient management, instruction and treatment of individuals with disabilities. SNDA also volunteered with Special Smiles for a second straight year on June 5, 2004.