New York Dental Practice Spreads Smiles Through Outreach Efforts

In New York City, a pediatric oral health company is on a mission to deliver care to children, regardless of ability to pay. Hellosmile is operating under the belief that community outreach efforts should include free oral health screenings, education, and prevention, so that all children have an equal opportunity to share their smile without worry. Ali Baba Attaie, DDS, FAAPD— co-founder and president of Hellosmile—created the company to encourage parents, children, and communities to actively participate in their oral health. Hellosmile’s initiatives are intended to empower children and parents to make more educated decisions pertaining to oral health and overall health, so that they can live healthy and happy lives. To help attain this goal, Hellosmile operates dental practices in 11 low-income areas throughout greater New York City, serving more than 50,000 pediatric patients. Of that number, 70% are covered by programs like Medicaid and Children’s Healthcare Insurance Program. Hellosmile faces uncertainty, however, with looming changes to federal and state health care spending, but has considered expanding into wealthier communities to help offset the loss of government funding.

From Dimensions of Dental Hygiene. April 2017;15(4):12.