‘Grins galore’ at annual Day for Special Smiles event
Posted: November 10, 2014
There were no shortage of smiles on Friday, Nov. 9, where more than 50 individuals with special needs received free dental care at A.T. Still University’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH). The fourth annual Day for Special Smiles event, which is an ATSU-ASDOH community initiative, serves people with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities.
ATSU-ASDOH students and alumni, community volunteer dentists, Grand Canyon University nursing students, and students from ATSU’s Athletic Training and Audiology programs came together to provide care and a variety of services to patients. Unique community events like Day for Special Smiles are especially important for this population as dentistry is not a covered service. As a result, these individuals suffer from untreated oral diseases.
Patients received services ranging from X-rays, dental exams, dental cleanings, fluoride treatment, fillings, extractions, and oral hygiene education. A total of $23,500 in treatment and services were provided in just four hours.
