My name is Zhain Alkhoury (on the right in the picture) and I am the founder of Smiles for Refugees. The idea for Smiles for Refugees was born from my own experiences growing up as the child of an immigrant. My father, an orthodontist who came to the United States as a refugee from Syria in 1992, showed me the importance of being globally minded-and understanding the unique challenges faced by those starting over in a new country.

Watching him navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, I realized just how difficult it can be for refugees to find providers who accept Medicaid. This inspired me to create a resource that would make it easier for refugees to access the dental care they need.

Driven by my father’s journey and the obstacles I saw firsthand, I decided to take action. Smiles for Refugees is my way of giving back—by ensuring that others have the support and information they need to find quality dental care, no matter where they come from.