The Dental Department of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Belize Center for the Visually Impaired (BCVI), Community Agency for Rehabilitation and Education for Persons with Disability (CARE) and the United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) held a two day workshop on wellness care for Special Needs children on April 26th and 27th at the Stella Maris School in Belize City.

The objective of the workshop was to certify Dental Surgeons to care for Special Needs Children. The workshop increased access of dental care for Special Olympics Athletes as well as children and adults with intellectual disabilities. At the conclusion of the workshop, Dental Surgeons and other professional doctors provided their services to approximately one hundred Special Needs Children at the Belize Elementary Gymnasium. This year, a total of 13 Dental staff of the Ministry of Health participated as a part of Special Smiles.

Special Smiles is a new component of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative. Founded in 1996, this program is designed to help athletes improve their health and fitness to improve their ability to train and compete in Special Olympics. It has also encouraged dental and hygiene students as well as practicing dental professionals to volunteer to do screenings at ‘Special Smiles’ events.

Special Appreciation is extended to all participating organizations and volunteers, Dr, Irvin McKenzie, Jamaica’s Chief Dental Surgeon and Mrs. Elodia Bautista, National Director Special Olympics Belize for organizing the event.