The World Always Looks Brighter With a Smile: A Dental Care and Education Program.
Hearts & Homes for Refugees (HHR) proudly announces an innovative new program, “The World Always Looks Brighter With A Smile: A Dental Care & Education Program.” Thanks to an $85,000 2024 IMPACT100 Westchester Transformational grant, HHR will be able to more effectively address one of the major challenges in refugee resettlement: adequate oral care and education.
“In the U.S., dental disease is the #1 epidemic of economically disadvantaged children, and research has shown that refugees have the highest burden of dental issues,” says Kathie O’Callaghan, President and Founder of HHR. "In our eight years of resettlement experience, we’ve seen time and again the impact on refugees of having little to no access to reliable oral health care, adequate preventive dental education, fluoridated water, or proper nutrition.”
Impact100 Westchester is a women’s collective giving organization that engages women in philanthropy. Over $250,000 in grants were awarded by Impact100 Westchester in this cycle of giving. In addition to the Impact100 grant, HHR received an earlier seed grant of $1,000 for this project from Spiral Giving, a philanthropic organization that inspires students to social work services.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Impact100 Westchester and Spiral Giving,” says Kathie O’Callaghan, President and Founder of HHR. “This program will positively and immediately impact the lives of our new neighbors.”
HHR launched the new initiative to address one of the major challenges in refugee resettlement: adequate dental care for refugees.
In HHR’s eight years of resettlement experience, its staff and volunteers have seen time and again that upon arrival, its clients have not had access to reliable health care, adequate preventive dental education, fluoridated water, or proper nutrition.
The result is more than just a nagging toothache. Extensive research shows that dental disease impacts both physical and mental health, creating a significant barrier for refugees seeking to start a new life in the U.S.
In a survey conducted in 2024, HHR found that 93% of its clients had experienced dental pain. Additionally, 45% said they were mentally or emotionally affected by their pain.
(l, r) Melinda Ganeles, Co-President of Impact100 Westchester, Amy Robertson, HHR Program Director, Kathie O’Callaghan, HHR President and Founder, Lisa Kohomban, HHR Program Officer, Nancy Winkelstein, Co-President of Impact100 Westchester.
“They’re also distressed over losing teeth and the cost of replacing them,” says Amy Robertson, Program Director at HHR. “Such issues can result in malnutrition, increased body dissatisfaction, and inhibition of basic actions such as smiling, speaking, and eating.”
Academic research has also highlighted how oral pain can exacerbate already debilitating mental health problems stemming from the refugee journey, such as PTSD and depression.
Though HHR has worked tirelessly to support its clients in receiving dental care, its volunteers have struggled to overcome the immense barriers to access in the U.S. Though refugees are eligible for Medicaid, many essential services, such as root canal treatments, are not covered. Additionally, it is increasingly challenging to find dentists who accept Medicaid and who are also available.
“Navigating treatment and insurance is complicated for anyone, but it is extraordinarily challenging for new neighbors with limited or no English,” says Kathie.
The first goal of HHR’s program is to alleviate pain. HHR will offer case-by-case guidance and monetary support according to needs. HHR will also make sure that interpreters are available at dental appointments.
Through its preventive Education Program, HHR will also contribute to the long-term goal of improved oral health.
“We are going to implement a strong, culturally relevant, oral hygiene and preventive care campaign,” adds O’Callaghan.
As part of this program, HHR is seeking dentists and oral health care professionals in NY that may be interested in supporting this project, potentially in an advisory capacity or with contribution of services. Please contact hello@heartsandhomesforrefugees.org with the subject “Dental Care & Education Program.”
