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Help the AAE give back by making a donation to support Smile Unto Him during your AAE24 registration.
In 2021, the percentage of people without a dental insurance was about 29% overall and 62% for seniors according to the Center for Disease control and prevention. Roughly 9 million veterans are enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care and just 15% are eligible for dental benefits. VA places the veterans into a benefit class-based on the military service history, current health condition and living situation. In 2023, an estimated 68.5 million adults in the United States do not have dental insurance according to Care the Quest Institute for Oral health. The importance of oral health has been emphasized for decades. For example, porphyromonas gingivalis, a component of oral microorganisms, is known as the main pathogen that causes periodontitis. There is a significant amount of research relating to the role of porphyromonas gingivalis in atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, respiratory diseases, depression, liver disease, and cancer. By restoring the oral health of patients, Smile Unto Him is helping patients’ good general health and quality of life.
Smile Unto Him was founded by Sue Suh, an endodontist, Rick Muchow, a worship pastor, Susan Trihus-Gyi, non-practicing lawyer, Myrna Chen, a certified public accountant, and Jane Lee, a college student in 2015 to provide much needed dental care to the veterans and seniors. Many people and corporations believed in Smile Unto Him’s vision.
In 2018, the only brick and mortal free dental clinic in Riverside County opened its doors to the community. Since then, over 3,000 appointments, and over $2, 250,000 cumulative productions value of treatments were provided to the low-income (at or less than 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines) seniors, veterans, and adults in Riverside County, CA. The dental treatments provided include comprehensive oral evaluation, radiographs, restorations, fixed prosthesis, removable prosthesis, extractions, and root canal treatments. Smile Unto Him Free Dental Clinic is a dental home for its patients. Once the treatment plan is completed, the patients return for routine oral hygiene appointments.
The operation of the clinic is possible thanks to hand full of private donors and corporate sponsors. The treatments were done by volunteer providers and students. In 2023, the clinic’s lease was renewed resulting in a 230% increase of rent. The monthly rent might not be a significant amount for a regular dental clinic. However, for Smile Unto Him free dental clinic, the increase of rent is a huge impact because of the unique operation of the clinic. Relocation of the clinic’s space is the biggest project of the clinic since the grand opening. We hope to relocate the clinic where we do not need to worry about paying monthly rent, parking, and renewing the lease.
Smile Unto Him continues to recruit volunteers and seeks financial stability. 5 peoples’ dream came to life thanks to those who believed in us. The rest is history. We dream of having many Smile Unto Him satellite clinics in California. We appreciate the opportunity to fundraise and share our story within American Association of Endodontics’ Community.
For more information, please visit smileuntohim.org.