Special Athletes Virtual Education  Dental (SAVED)

Our main objective was to engage athletes in an exercise of education and self-determination of oral health, utilizing Special Smiles Clinical Directors of the Healthy Athletes Program and a volunteer base of dental professionals and students. We had a virtual oral screening program to address concerns from athletes about sleeping and sleep apnea, trauma, smoking and vaping, hydration, and caries risk assessment; as well as to identify special athletes with urgent dental care needs and set up referral pathways.

We had 23 participants with their caregivers, clinical directors from Universiti Malaya and the Ministry of Health Malaysia, and observers from the local and the Asia Pacific region. After registration, we conducted a poll comprising 30 questions and health education facts with short stretch breaks in between and fun educational videos on toothbrushing and flossing technique. This was followed by 5 breakout rooms which gave participants an opportunity to have personal one-to-one consultations with our Special Smiles Clinical Directors with regards to their oral health. We had a few participants who were interested to come to Universiti Malaya for referral and continuation of care.

The program was concluded by a closing speech from the Dean of Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Prof. Dr. Zamri, and Program Chair of Special Olympics Malaysia, Madam Lam Saw Yin.