In addition to conducting dental screenings for Special Olympics athletes, this oral health initiative is designed to raise awareness among the public and the dental community of the oral health problems faced by many with special needs.

Employees from the Patterson Technology Center (Effingham, Ill.) assist in dental screenings, education programs and staffing Special Olympics games. As a Special Smiles Partner, Patterson Dental donates clinical supplies for oral health screenings, as well as products for the "goody bags" (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss) given to each participating athlete.

Steven P. Perlman, DDS, M.Sc.D., D.H.L.(Hon), Senior Global Clinical Advisor and Founder of Special Olympics Special Smiles, said: "Patterson’s commitment to Special Olympics Special Smiles has been immeasurable in helping the program grow and flourish. This support has enabled tens of thousands of children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities to access the health care system and emerge from being an invisible population. In addition to providing product, the enthusiastic volunteerism on the part of Patterson employees has demonstrated to everyone that this Company really cares and gives back to the community."