Halifax Initiative Delivers Adaptive Tools for Kids with Special Needs What began as a research project in dental school has blossomed into an initiative making a tangible impact on the lives of children with disabilities—and their families—across Atlantic Canada. Spearheaded by Dr. Jenna McNutt, a recent dental graduate, and pediatric dentist Dr. Tracy Doyle, the program delivers customized oral health care tools designed specifically for children who face barriers to routine oral care and hygiene. The project emerged while Dr. McNutt was a dental student at Dalhousie University. “We were assigned a research project where we worked with a mentor,” she says, recalling how her interest in helping people with disabilities shaped her project focus. Under the supervision of Dr. Doyle, she began searching for adaptive products that could improve at-home oral health care. “We found some exceptionally helpful tools,” she explained. “And then we successfully obtained funding to actually put these packages together for patients in need, which was incredible.” 20 | 2025 | Issue 5
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTE5MTI=