Dental care is so important for orphaned youth that just days after the war started, our staff took Yana to the dentist. At 25, Yana was missing several teeth and embarrassed by her smile. “And so we appeared in her life,” wrote Oksana. “Last Bell helped Yana put in new teeth – she is happy!” The treatment came just in time. Soon after, Yana evacuated with her four kids.
Staff member Yulia N. shared the reasons for the dental problems we see: “Lack of hygiene, lack of finances for treatment, and a great fear of doctors. In the institutions, children faced poor treatment and outdated methods, for example without good anesthesia.”
So even in wartime, one of our most important services is dental advocacy.
Left: before treatment; right: a photo shoot soon after
Ira, above, needed 80% of her teeth treated. We started the process with her in mid-February this year. Another student, Tatiana, was able to get her teeth fully treated at the same time. We’re so thankful for our local dentist, who finds a patient and loving approach with our students.
Also in February, we took Stop the Cycle mom Olya (above) to the dentist. Staff member Yuliana S. wrote, “When orphans become mothers, their teeth deteriorate even more. And there’s really no way to treat them when the mom loses her job and only receives state funds for the child, which is now the equivalent of two packages of diapers.
“No one else could help them. Thank you to everyone who makes the smiles of our orphans happier and healthier with your donations!”
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