Dr. Doyle is also deeply involved in the CSDH, an allied organization of CDA. “CSDH does tremendous work advocating for equitable oral care for people with disabilities,” Dr. Doyle explains. “We encourage dental professionals and caregivers to join forces. We offer webinars, collaborate with international partners, and do policy advocacy to ensure that vulnerable populations are not overlooked.” At Dalhousie, that advocacy also extends to students. The university’s CSDH student chapter—of which Dr. McNutt was an early member—has built a strong reputation for engagement. “We’ve continued outreach with facilities like Prescott House and hold a Healthy Athletes event every October, at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Dentistry” says Dr. Doyle. “This year, we even included women’s health support. It’s a first for Special Olympics programming.” As Dr. McNutt begins her dental career in New Brunswick, the impact of her school project continues to resonate. “I was looking for a way to help people and it’s incredible to see how far this has gone,” she says. For Dr. Doyle, the work is far from over. “We’re compiling a list of interested families, working on outreach, and trying to make sure these kits get to those who need them,” she says. “Because when we empower parents with the right tools and knowledge, we empower children to thrive and live healthier lives.” Responding to Overwhelming Demand After an article about the kits was published by CBC, demand has grown dramatically. “The day my interview aired on the CBC, the calls started flooding in,” says Dr. Doyle. “We heard from people all over Nova Scotia and beyond.” Though they’ve had to limit distribution due to funding constraints, the team is working to secure more sustainable support so the initiative can continue. Currently, the kits are distributed to IWK patients and through Autism Nova Scotia, which received half of the funded kits. The team has also seen interest from other demographics. “A friend of mine saw the CBC interview and ordered surround toothbrushes for her father, who has dementia,” Dr. Doyle says. “It’s a reminder that these tools have applications far beyond pediatrics.” Dr. McNutt echoed this broader applicability. “Our focus was on kids with developmental and intellectual disabilities, but many of these products would be useful for elderly patients or anyone with dexterity challenges,” she says. Advocacy, Inclusion and Community Outreach The project dovetails with Dr. Doyle’s broader advocacy efforts. As clinical director for the Special Smiles program through Special Olympics Canada, she’s working to bring adaptive oral health tools to athletes with disabilities. “We’re aiming to have some of these products at the upcoming provincial games,” she says. A colourful brochure has instructions for positioning, frequency and general diet and hygiene advice for children with special needs. Learn more about the Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health at: csdh.ca Access CDA’s tools and resources for providing dental care for persons with special needs at: bit.ly/4kukehy Dr. Jenna McNutt graduated from Dalhousie University’s faculty of dentistry in 2024. She was president of the school’s chapter of the Canadian Society for Disability & Oral Health. Dr. Tracy Doyle is an assistant professor and head of pediatric dentistry at Dalhousie University faculty of dentistry. She received CDA’s Oral Health Promotion Award in 2019. 22 | 2025 | Issue 5 Issues and People
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