Shining a light on oral health in specialist schools
Our team recently led an engaging, hands-on specialist schools workshop for students with additional needs.
How does Smile Squad deliver the best individual care for students with additional needs? 
Last month, 22 participants from 12 community dental agencies joined Smile Squad Oral Health Advisor Sophie McKenna and dental assistant Amy Banks for our third hands-on specialist schools workshop at Oral Health Victoria.
The full-day session followed a student’s Smile Squad journey — before, during and after their visit — with one guiding principle: every student deserves to be seen and treated as an individual.
A highlight of the day was the panel discussion, where a parent of children with additional needs joined school nurses Helen Hedger (from Croydon Special Developmental School) and Megan Christophers (from the Victorian College for the Deaf) to share what inclusive care looks like in practice.
Workshops like this show why Smile Squad is more than a dental program, it’s a team effort to break down barriers, build confidence, and make oral health care truly inclusive for every student.
