Smiles for Survivors Foundation Expands Regional Services for Breast Cancer Patients

LAS VEGAS - May 21, 2014 - PRLog -- Smiles for Survivors Foundation^TM (http://www.smilesforsurvivors.org)(SFS), a Las Vegas-based nonprofit that is the first in the nation to work with dentists and dental specialists to provide dental treatment to breast cancer patients and survivors, announces a regional expansion of its organization to Phoenix, Arizona and Reno, Nevada. In addition to accepting patients for dental services, the organization is recruiting new dental providers and is working to educate the community in these cities about the oral side effects of chemotherapy suffered by 40 percent of breast cancer patients.

Dr. Chelsea Dean (in the Reno/Sparks area) and Dr. Amy Okun (in Phoenix) are now working with breast cancer patients to provide preventative and restorative dental treatment to selected applicants and raising awareness of the potential side effects of cancer treatment. Breast cancer patients who would like to be considered for treatment can apply at www.smilesforsurvivors.org. Dentists who would like to volunteer their services can email doctors@smilesforsurvivors.org.

“I have received numerous requests from breast cancer patients outside of Las Vegas, and I realized that the services Smiles for Survivors provides are greatly needed,” says Dr. Olya Banchik, founder of SFS. “Cancer patients know about the nausea and the hair loss, but no one expects their teeth to deteriorate after cancer treatment. Now, thanks to Dr. Dean and Dr. Okun, we can help breast cancer patients reclaim their smiles in Reno and Phoenix.”

Since 2010, Dr. Banchik has created a network of dental specialists that has worked with 20 patients in Las Vegas, providing over $40,000 worth of dental treatment. SFS is holding a special happy hour fundraising event in Las Vegas at Vintner Grill on Thursday, June 5, 2014 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Ticket prices are $40 which includes admission to the party, appetizers, drinks, music and more. All proceeds benefit Smiles for Survivors Foundation. Tickets are limited; please RSVP to events@smilesforsurvivors.org.