Our mission is to provide dental care to women who are overcoming their trauma, whether it be sexual abuse, drug addiction, homelessness or other types of major adversity. We are here to help when they have no other place to turn to.
We are a community based non-profit organization dedicated to restoring smiles and confidence, giving individuals the physical and emotional healing they deserve.
Watch our patient testimonials by clicking on the testimonial tab!
How it works.
3 easy steps:
A community leader refers a patient to us. We send the patient an application to fill out and evaluate our ability to help.
Patients who are successfully matched with a participating dentist are arranged a time to start treatment. They pay only what they can afford. No care is denied due to financial constraints.
After successful treatment, patients are asked for their consent to share their testimony in order to help others. This may include social media and fundraising.
Organizations We Work With
Wings
Peer Services
Sarah’s Circle
Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault
My Smile Within Club at Glenbrook South High School
Letter to our patient, River
After watching the videos of River’s testimony at a club meeting, the club wrote letters of encouragement to her. They praised her for her courage in sharing her story and the source of inspiration she has been for us all.
Fall Bake Sale 2022
My Smile Within club hosted multiple bake sales throughout fall and winter of 2022 to raise funds to complete River’s dental treatment. Thank you to all the students who supported the bake sale! River’s Before and After video comparison is posted on our youtube channel.
Poster for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
The club made this poster in April of 2022 to spread awareness of sexual assault and act as a resource to the school community.
“What makes you Smile?” Display
The club created a display asking students what makes them smile to address how so many women are denied the ability to smile due to having suffered sexual assault. We offered information on the services My Smile Within provides and the goals of the organization.
Poster for Homelessness Awareness Month
In November 2022, My Smile Within created a poster for the school to create awareness for the effects of homelessness. We shared it with the Glenbrook South Community and it helped bring awareness to many of the struggles that our patients face.
Donation Drive for Wings Organization
In the month of December, My Smile Within partnered with Wings Organization, a program fighting against domestic abuse, with an “In-kind” donation drive for the most requested necessities. We donated housing essentials such as cleaning supplies, toiletries, and school supplies.
Mirror Tile Display
My Smile Within members decorated a collaborative mural with individual mirror tiles featuring creative designs and positive messages. The purpose of this display was to spread words of encouragement to the Glenbrook South students. This project is displayed in Glenbrook South’s Student Activity Center!
Appreciation Cards to Dental Workers
My Smile Within collaborated with Meraki Club, a service based art club, to create heartfelt cards for dental workers to show appreciation for all they do. Meraki club members created colorful cards and My Smile Within members wrote sweet messages that expressed gratitude.
Send a Smile Event
This year, My Smile Within ran a schoolwide program to raise funds and spread joy in our community. As a club, we made and sold smile-shaped cards for students and staff members to write positive notes for their friends. All proceeds went directly to helping individuals on their dental care journey. “Send a smile” was a huge success and we hope to raise more from it in the years to come!
FAQs
Why is the application process so time-consuming?
We have limited resources and although we want to help as many people as possible, people also have to take into consideration our time and services. If they do really need help, they will take the time and effort to fill out the application.
Why does a patient need to be referred? Why can’t they refer themselves?
When things don’t cost much, there is a higher chance for a no show. This can be a drain on our precious resources, which is why we need to issue a screening process. A community leader knows this individual on a personal level, understands why they need care and can vouch that they are responsible and will value this care. In this way, we prevent any conflict of interest. Everyone is helping someone else, not themselves.
Why is it not free?
When anything is completely free, people don’t value it or take care of it. For example, if you pay to get braces or retainers, you will treat it with care, making sure to brush your teeth carefully as opposed to if you got it for free. However, our basic principle is that no one is denied the care they need if they cannot afford it. Our team is here to ensure that despite your financial situation, you will get equal care. That is why patients pay only what they can afford.
How do you determine how much a patient pays?
After a patient has been successfully matched with a dentist, they will go through a comprehensive exam at the dental office where they will arrive a treatment plan. At this meeting, they will find out the normal cost of treatment, and we will apply sliding scale discounts. Patients will submit their most recent tax returns to determine how much they can pay.
How do you decide who gets help and doesn’t?
We are only the administrator in matching up a patient with a dentist. We don’t make the health related decisions in who receives care. It is often a matter of dentists and resources available at the moment.
Do treatment plans differ based on the patient's economic status?
No, regardless of a patient's financial or economic status, they will receive equal care. Rest assured that these factors do not play a part when we assess our ability to help.
Why have patients tell their stories?
The whole purpose of the organization is to help others. I want to help restore the confidence of abused women by restoring their smiles and that is why I created the organization. Community leaders want to help these individuals receive the help they need, and they do this by referring them to us. Dentists help patients by providing them with the dental work they need. Therefore, to continue the cycle, patients should have the desire to make sure that others get the same help and they do this by sharing their story.
What do you recommend for people who are not matched up?
We will refer them to a network of other dental organizations through Chicago Dental Society. They include: Dental Lifeline Network and CDS Foundation Clinic.