Global Health Nexus, Fall 2000

Inspiring Greatness: NYU Dentistry Volunteers Give Their All at Special Olympics

Last June, for the seventh consecutive year, scores of NYU College of Dentistry faculty, students, staff, and alumni volunteered their time and talents at the annual New York Special Olympics Metro Tournament, where they provided free oral health services and health promotion information to children and adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. The Metro Tournament 2000, built on the theme “Inspire Greatness,” drew over 1,000 athletes with special needs, who participated in competitions in track and field, aquatics, basketball, gymnastics, power lifting, and volleyball.

“It is extremely gratifying to support New York Special Olympics and the 2000 Metro Tournament,” said Jill Fernandez-Wilson, clinical associate professor of pediatric dentistry, who has been organizing NYU Dentistry’s participation in the event since 1994.