Sharing Smiles Day

A pair of students from the College of Dentistry invites members of the community to join them for Sharing Smiles Day on April 12 – an event dedicated to caring for members of Manitoba’s special needs community.

This first-of-its-kind event in the province will emphasize the importance of oral health care to persons with disabilities while raising awareness of health care issues. The event kicks off with a carnival starting at 10 a.m. at the University’s Brodie Atrium located at 727 McDermot Avenue.

“The carnival morning will be full of fun games and activities led by dental and dental hygiene students,” second-year student Darryll Iwaszkiw said. “We also have a number of prominent guests appearing at noon and the event ends with educational demonstrations on oral hygiene starting at 1 p.m.”

Sharing Smiles Day is produced by the Winnipeg chapter of Oral Health, Total Health (OHTH Winnipeg), a national non-profit organization led by the students and faculty from numerous dental colleges with a mission to advocate, educate and improve the oral health care for persons with special needs.

“We hope this will be a fun-filled day, one that shows that everyone in our community deserves proper oral health care and treatment,” classmate Derek Chung said.

Ms. Janet Forbes of Community Living Winnipeg will also be appearing, along with Dr. Douglas Brothwell, Associate Dean (Academic) at the College of Dentistry and a long-time advocate for public health dentistry in Canada.

“Events such as this underscore the importance of oral health and the impact it has on a person’s quality of life,” Brothwell said. “This applies to all members of our community, especially those who often lack access to proper care. We hope to send a strong message of support for our students and for all of those in need of oral health-care in Manitoba.”

Members of the Manitoba media are invited to attend the event that will include free parking in the E lot located adjacent to the College of Dentistry.

What: Sharing Smiles Day
When: Saturday, April 12, 10 a.m. — 2 p.m.
Where: Brodie Atrium, Banntyne Campus, University of Manitoba, 727 McDermot Avenue

For more information contact Grant Warren, Public Affairs, Faculty of Dentistry, School of Dental Hygiene, at 204-789-3267 (gwarren@ad.umanitoba.ca).