April 07, 2004

By: Liz Ganger
Website: http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com

Smiles – Help Bring Proective Mouth Guards To Special Athletes

Special Olympics will receive three years of support from the Grottoes of North America to help fund Special Olympics Special Smiles in North America. A dental screening initiative, Special Smiles is designed to provide Special Olympics athletes with oral hygiene education, nutrition education, and free protective mouth guards.

From 2002 to 2004, The Humanitarian Foundation, a Grottoes of North America charitable program, will donate $100,000 each year to Special Smiles, amounting to $300,000 for three years. On 18 April, Special Olympics was presented with the first of three $100,000 checks to begin the three-year sponsorship.

The funds will provide Special Olympics athletes, under the age of 18, with dental screenings and will also develop a directory of mainstream dentists who treat children with special needs. The directory will be available to athletes and their families on the Special Olympics Web site, www.specialolympics.org. In addition to the Humanitarian Foundation, Grottoes of North America’s financial commitment, they also will pay directly for dental care for qualifying athletes.

Special Olympics believes that an athletes’ health and well-being are critical to their success on and off the playing field, said Timothy Shriver, President and CEO of Special Olympics. With the assistance of the Grottoes of North America, Special Olympics Special Smiles will continue to maintain programs and initiatives that support the overall success of our athletes, he added.

Dr. Steven P. Perlman, Global Clinical Director of Special Olympics Special Smiles, said that Special Olympics is grateful to the Humanitarian Foundation, Grottoes of North America for its financial support. This innovative sponsorship will help many athletes access dental care. It will also educate dental professionals about the many oral health problems that children with disabilities face. Ultimately we hope to improve the quality of life for thousands and thousands of children with special needs, said Perlman.

The Humanitarian Foundation, Grottoes of North America are equally thrilled about working with Special Olympics. We are extremely excited about the sponsorship, said David Redmann, Treasurer for the Humanitarian Foundation, Grottoes of North America. It will be beneficial to the Humanitarian Foundation and Special Smiles in that both programs can continue to provide dental care for children with special needs.

Author Notes:

Liz Ganger contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  Everything you need to know to get a whiter, brighter smile!