On June 8th, 2019, the UMA Dental Hygiene students and faculty were invited in partnership with the Maine Dental Hygiene Association and the University of New England College of Dental Medicine to offer dental screenings, dental education, and custom sports dental mouth guards to all athletes at the Maine Special Olympics.
The Special Olympics provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with varied intellectual disabilities. In Maine, the Special Olympics is hosted every June at the University of Maine flagship campus in the Alfond Stadium. They serve over 4,400 athletes and offer 70+ events year-round at the local, state, national and international levels. In addition to the events for athletes, many free services are provided to the athletes.
Among those in attendance were UMA Dental Hygiene students Aspen Cote, Jennifer Cyr, Sarah Donlan, Liz Carrier, Bailey Parent, Rachel St Germain, Dayna Woods, and Ashley Cass accompanied by faculty assistant professor Nancy Foster and adjunct professor Tricia Spearin. The dental hygiene team had a wonderful day volunteering at this event.
UMA offers the only accredited Dental Hygiene program at a public institution in Maine with tuition nearly 75% less than an in-state private school. UMA offers a three year Associate in Science in Dental Hygiene degree with the option to complete one additional year to earn a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.