Access to dental care is a community issue that resonates deeply with me. Growing up in a Caribbean community, I witnessed firsthand the inequities in dental care around me, particularly through my grandfather’s struggle with untreated dental issues. Despite experiencing constant pain and chipped teeth, he delayed seeing a dentist until his dental health deteriorated. My grandfather never budgeted money to spend on dental care. Losing his teeth, his mouth started to look like a puzzle with pieces being put back into place. Watching him endure years of discomfort, only to need extensive interventions later, revealed the daunting barriers marginalized communities face in accessing essential care. 
This experience inspired me to found All About Smiles, a non-profit dedicated to educating underserved communities about the importance of dental care and providing resources to make it accessible. Through my research on disparities in dental care and participation in the NYU Dental Saturday Academy, I gained insight on this issue and potential solutions.

By raising funds to provide dental care packages at food banks, I saw first hand how even small initiatives can improve quality of life, which has strengthened my commitment to public health.