I send out my thanks

Bellflower, Calif.鈥擜t age 26, Dustin Plunkett has overcome personal adversity as a longtime Special Olympics athlete, a coach and now an international global messenger.

And thanks to a Special Olympics Healthy Athletes volunteer dentist’s sharp eye, Mr. Plunkett continues to inspire others following successful treatment for oral cancer.

“I went to a Healthy Athletes screening during a local competition,” said Mr. Plunkett, “and the dentist who screened me [at the Special Smiles screening] told me I had some serious dental problems and I should see a dentist.

“The dentist took X-rays and said, ‘Mr. Plunkett, I’ve got some bad news for you. But don’t worry. I know how to fix it.”

The diagnosis was oral cancer in the upper left side of his mouth.

“I was frightened at first,” said Mr. Plunkett, “But he sent me to an oral surgeon a couple doors down and he removed the cancer about a week later. So far I’ve stayed cancer free.”

As an international global messenger for Special Olympics, Mr. Plunkett speaks to community groups and big corporations from 30 to 45 times a year. He addressed a crowd of more than 100,000 at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai last October.

“My speeches are mainly based on my personal story鈥攕haring that, and giving the audience information on the benefits of Special Olympics.”

But he also makes it a priority to share his personal message鈥攁bout the importance of health screenings鈥攚hen he speaks with Special Olympics athletes and their families and caregivers.

“Whenever I have a chance to talk to athletes, I tell them what happened. I say, ‘You never know; it might save your life.’ “

The Healthy Athletes program now conducts dental, vision, foot and other screenings at many Special Olympics events worldwide. The Healthy Athletes component began 13 years ago as a pilot in Massachusetts thanks to the dedication of Dr. Steven Perlman, who initiated the Special Smiles screening program, using volunteer dentists to help screen and refer special needs patients who were in need of dental care. Healthy Athletes became an official Special Olympics program in 1997.

“My proudest moments in these 13 years are watching dentists interact with the athletes,” said Dr. Perlman. “The smiles, the hugs, the looks in their eyes. We’re working toward changing attitudes. It’s important for Special Olympics athletes to know there is someone who cares about them and their health and well-being.”

Since Special Smiles began, more than 5,000 U.S. dentists have volunteered to screen athletes and athletes currently receive dental screenings at more than 90 programs throughout the U.S. In the past decade, the Healthy Athletes program has engaged more than 50,000 health professional volunteers to screen some 500,000 athletes.

“I really appreciate all the dentists giving their time to a program that helps people with disabilities and giving checkups we all need for a healthy life,” said Mr. Plunkett. “If it wasn’t for the volunteer dentists coming out, I wouldn’t be here today. I send out my thanks to all the volunteers that come out.”

Special Smiles screening events in 2008 are being planned for locations nationwide. For more information about programs in your area or to volunteer, contact Shantae Polk, manager, Health Programs, Special Smiles and FUNfitness, Special Olympics Inc., 1133 19th St. NW, 11th floor, Washington, D.C. 20036; phone: 1-202-824-0239; e-mail: spolk@specialolympics.org.