The Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center has been hosting trainings for Arizona dentists to learn best practices for assisting patients who have autism, thanks to a grant from the Delta Dental Foundation.
SARRC's hard work is already paying off. Recently, Dr. Rebecca Schaffer, a dentist and assistant professor from A.T. Still University, had the opportunity to apply what she learned in SARRC's statewide trainings while working in Guatemala on behalf of another nonprofit, Open Wide Foundation.
Schaffer provided a webinar training to staff at the Guatemalan clinic and included training information from SARRC’s dental trainings. Then, children with autism spectrum disorder were invited in to the Guatemalan clinic to become familiar with the environment and learn what they could expect during a checkup.
“All in all, the week was hugely successful, thanks in no small part to Delta's continuing support of our efforts,” Schaffer told Sheri Dollin, from SARRC’s education and training program.
Schaffer plans to return to Guatemala and promises she will continue to utilize the training materials she received through SARRC.
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