National Dental Hygienists Week April 4-10

Students from the dental hygiene program at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario had fun with Special Olympics athletes promoting oral health messages. CSDH student member, Sophya Sidhu, a dental assisting student and Special Olympics coach, helped organize the event with dental hygiene students to celebrate National Dental Hygienists Week!

Special Olympics Winter Games 2024

CSDH board members Carol Yakiwchuk and Dr. Clive Friedman co-lead the Special Smiles oral health screening program at the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games February 27-March 2. Volunteers included 5 dentists, 25 dental hygienists, and 5 senior dental hygiene students from the University of Alberta. 850 athletes attended the games, with 340 participating in the Special Smiles program.

Student Chapter Event

Over 65 students from Fanshawe College’s Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene programs and Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry attended Cultivating Cultural Competence in Dental Practice, presented by CSDH Member, Dr. Shelly Stack.

Nikki Faghani, Western University Student Chapter President

The event was organized by Professor Lara Timler of Fanshawe College, students Sophya Sidhu (Fanshawe), Nikki Faghani (Western) and Dr. Shelly Stack. As part of the event, those in attendance learned to introduce themselves using American Sign Language.

Dr. Shelly Stack introduces the basics of American Sign Language

Pacific Dental Conference

Over 150 visitors stopped by our booth at the Pacific Dental Conference on March 8 and 9, 2024, where five of our Board members were present to greet them. We engaged visitors in conversation about CSDH, treating people living with disabilities, and shared resources they can use in their practices to facilitate provision of care. We were very pleased to welcome several distinguished guests, including the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health and other government officials working on development of the Canada Dental Care Plan.

Olaf Plotzke, Barbara Rand and Joan Rush “Welcome to the CSDH Booth”

Joan Rush, Olaf Plotzke, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, Carol Yakiwchuk

Joan Rush, Marika Nadeau and Stephanie Claxton, both from Health Canada, Olaf Plotzke

Olaf Plotzke with Maxill reps who generously donated two gift baskets for draw prizes

Draw prize winner, Darleen McDonald (centre) with Joan Rush, Olaf Plotzke, Barbara Rand and Liz Morch.

Special Olympics, Special Smiles Screening Program, Toronto

Headed by Clinical Director Dr. Clive Friedman, Drs. Olaf Plotzke and Paul Romanson, along with a group of oral health care and student volunteers, conducted oral health screenings for a group of Special Olympics athletes.