It was a dental screening like no other, one that made a profound impact on the likes of Shawn Yong, 32, and Brian Lim, 27.
The duo joined the Special Olympics Malaysia (SOM) Health Athletes programme last year. It included a dental screening by volunteer doctors from Universiti Malaya and the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
Yong and Lim’s mothers – Belinda How and Rose Thong (respectively) – found the experience of the dental visits, before and after joining the programme, to be pleasantly different for their children. Yong has Down syndrome while Lim is on the autism spectrum.
The athletes, who underwent the dental screening, received colourful visual charts and a timer to help them brush their teeth correctly.
In fact, it has been imprinted in Yong’s mind that he has to brush his teeth after every meal.
“Now the dentist says his teeth are super clean, and there’s no need for follow-ups for another six months,” said How.
“It’s a good way for parents to understand that the children may not know how to take care of their own teeth.
“Not many know how to brush their teeth, and some are afraid to go to the dentist because of the unfamiliar, scary sounds.
How added that the dentists were gentle and knew how to manage children with special needs.
“My son now enjoys visiting the dentist,” she added.
Thong said the programme was a blessing in disguise, as the patients are exempted from paying any fees, and the caring medical professionals are able to manage her special needs son.
Last month, SOM collaborated with UM’s dentistry faculty to organise a health talk, eye checks, and dental screenings for 20 Special Olympics athletes.
The initiative, called ‘Project Grit, Grin, and Gleam’, saw doctors and post-graduate students come out to volunteer their time and effort for the special group.
Each athlete went through seven eye screening tests, and learnt about dental trauma and oral health, before undergoing a dental screening.
The whole time, a parent or caregiver was close by to hold their hands.
Wong Pu Shern, 11, was the youngest participant in the health screening. He was shy initially, but later managed a fist bump (main image) and hugged the medical personnel who attended to him – Dr John Jacob Chirmel Chandy and Prof Dr Nurliza Khaliddin.
The spirit of volunteerism was in full force that day, and SOM is grateful to the medical professionals and volunteers for their patience, and for ensuring that every athlete’s eyes and teeth were cared for.
Click here to find out more about SOM’s Health Athletes programme. To find out how you can participate, email SOM at secretariat@specialolympicsmalaysia.org
