Students Offer Free Dental Care to Domestic Violence Survivors

Providing Essential Dental Care to Domestic Violence Survivors

For many survivors of domestic violence, accessing dental care can be a daunting task, often overshadowed by immediate concerns for safety and well-being. Recognizing this challenge, students from the Mesa Community College dental hygiene program have stepped up to offer crucial dental services to those in need.

Recently, a group of these students delivered free dental assessments, fluoride treatments, and oral cancer screenings to residents at a Phoenix-based domestic violence shelter. Mayani Jinel, who manages the De Colores shelter, emphasized the significance of this initiative. For numerous survivors, this was their first encounter with dental care professionals, a step hindered by the controlling nature of many abusers.

Jinel explained, “Majority of the victims, the abuser controls everything. And some abusers, they don’t want the victim to see a medical provider because they’re jealous. And it’s that control over it. I can tell you about cases that they don’t even know how to make an appointment, because the abuser controls everything in the house.”

Understanding these barriers, Jinel highlights the importance of addressing less visible needs, such as dental health, to support survivors effectively. “Keep in mind that what for you is, like, something normal, something simple,” she noted, “for most people living in programs like this one, it means a lot.”

Cost is another significant concern for those trying to maintain dental health over the long term. Alexa Valera, a senior student involved with the project, acknowledged this issue and discussed future plans. “This is an assignment that every senior student has to do,” she said. “So every new class that comes into the program, I’m going to tell my program coordinator at the college that they would be interested in doing this with one of the groups, once a year. And we’re gonna try to get that going for them.”

Looking ahead, Valera mentioned that the students plan to return with informational sessions tailored to the specific questions and needs of the participants. This ongoing initiative aims to empower survivors by providing them with the knowledge and resources necessary to take charge of their dental health.