Oral health Status of special Olympics athletes in the UAE: findings from annual dental screenings

Objective To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), addressing a data gap in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in accordance with STROBE guidelines, using data from 817 Special Olympics athletes across 10 events in the UAE between September 2022 and July 2025. After excluding 161 incomplete records, 656 forms were analyzed. Data were collected using the standardized Special Olympics Healthy Athletes System (HAS) form. Trained and calibrated dentists performed visual oral examinations to assess oral hygiene habits, signs of gingival disease, presence of untreated decay, oral pain, and treatment urgency. Descriptive statistics with 95% confidence intervals and chi-square tests were used to assess gender-based stratification. Results The cohort of 656 athletes had a median age of 20 years, with 68% being male. Over one-third (36%) reported not brushing daily. Clinical examination revealed high rates of oral disease: 67% presented with signs of gingivitis (95% CI: 63.4%–70.6%) and 64% had untreated dental decay (95% CI: 60.3%–67.7%). Furthermore, 20% reported oral pain (95% CI: 17.0%–23.2%). A substantial majority (72.1%) required dental care. Conclusion Special Olympics athletes in the UAE exhibit a significant burden of untreated dental decay and gingivitis, reflecting substantial unmet treatment needs. These findings, the first comprehensive data from this population in the UAE, highlight a critical need for targeted prevention programs and enhanced access to specialized dental care.