Smiles For Survivors Foundations Expands its Dental Network to the Pacific Northwest

LAS VEGAS - Dec. 16, 2014 - PRLog -- Smiles for Survivors Foundation(SFS), a Las Vegas-based non-profit that is the first in the nation to work with dental professionals to provide dental treatment to breast cancer patients and survivors, announces an expansion of its organization to Seattle, Wash. SFS is currently accepting applications from Seattle area breast cancer patients whose oral health has been compromised as a result of cancer treatment and who meet the financial criteria for the non-profit’s services. SFS is also looking for dental providers in the greater Seattle area and is working to educate the community about the oral side effects of chemotherapy suffered by 40 percent of breast cancer patients.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women in Washington. For all but two years between 1999 and 2009, Washington ranked among the 10 states with the highest rates of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer. Seattle based dentist Dr. Garrett Barker is currently working with breast cancer patients in the area to provide preventative and restorative dental treatment.

“My staff and I are thrilled to bring Smiles for Survivors to the Seattle area and help these brave women,” said Dr. Barker. “It’s really important that we as dentists realize the impact we have on improving patients’ health, especially in an area where breast cancer is a larger issue. Serious oral side effects can significantly compromise these patients’ health so we need more dental specialists to join our efforts and help get their smiles back. ”

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.

“Cancer treatment’s impact on patients is very real. As we delve further into this, we realize the magnitude of the problem, especially in Washington, and are working furiously to establish networks in the United States so that we can provide assistance to patients in need,” said Dr. Olya Banchik, a Las Vegas based dentist and SFS founder. “We are happy to welcome Dr. Barker and his staff to our family and encourage other local dentists to get involved. As a dentist and daughter of a breast cancer survivor, I can say this is truly gratifying work.”

Since 2010, SFS has created several networks of dental specialists in cities including Las Vegas, Reno and Phoenix, providing over $50,000 worth of dental treatment. For more information, please visit www.smilesforsurivors.org.

About Smiles for Survivors

Smiles for Survivors™ is a registered 501(c) 3 foundation, whose mission is to support breast cancer patients and survivors. The organization works with dentists and dental specialists to provide preventative and restorative dental treatment, to educate cancer patients about potential oral side effects of chemotherapy and to raise awareness in the community about the importance of nutrition and maintaining good oral health before, during and after cancer treatments. Through a vetting process, Smiles for Survivors Foundation selects qualified breast cancer patients to receive dental procedures to improve oral health. Dr. Olya Banchik, a Las Vegas-based dentist whose life was personally touched by the disease, established the Smiles for Survivors Foundation in 2010. More information on Smiles for Survivors Foundation can be found at www.smilesforsurvivors.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.