Talking. Eating. Smiling. Things you take for granted-until something is wrong with your teeth.

For many Holocaust survivors, dental care is both an urgent need-and an impossible luxury. Many simply cannot afford it. Yet, it is an essential part of basic health. Without being able to eat properly, their nutrition suffers, putting them at risk for other health issues. Not being able to talk or smile easily also inhibits survivors socially, which has a psychological impact.

But in 2013, Vice President Joe Biden announced a new White House effort to aid aging Holocaust survivors-120,000 in the US, 25 percent of whom live in poverty- calling on other public-private partnerships to help survivors age with dignity and support.

One group who responded was Alpha Omega, a 100-year-old Jewish dental fraternity. Originally founded on the East Coast to combat anti-Semitism in the dental profession, Alpha Omega has since become an international organization. Among its many achievements, it helped found the dental profession in Israel, and has ensured access to dental care for thousands of Jews in need worldwide.

Spurred by Biden’s announcement, Alpha Omega began working with JUF’s Holocaust Community Services, an inter-agency program with CJE SeniorLife and Jewish Child and Family Services, all of which are supported by JUF. Starting in March 2015, Holocaust Community Services has been identifying Holocaust survivors who need critical dental care-but who find it beyond their means-and sending them to Alpha Omega dentists.

These dentists then provide that dental care, free of charge. Some 30 Chicago-area dentists, all Alpha Omega members, have been seeing these patients at their own dental offices-and at the dental clinic at The ARK, also supported by JUF.

The Chicago effort is part of a nine-city pilot program launched in 2015 which, if successful, will be rolled out nationally. HCS has been commended as a model program, thanks to the systems the program has developed which identifies clients, and facilitates referrals between HCS and the local Alpha
Omega chapter.

In just one year, these dentists have provided crucial, life-changing dental services to 50 Holocaust survivors in the Chicago area. Many needed new dentures to replace ones they have been using for 20 years or more.

“The clients have been extremely grateful,” said Yonit Hoffman, Ph.D., Holocaust Community Services Program Director. “Through this program, survivors are receiving high quality, critical care they would not be able to afford otherwise.”

Dr. Laurie Gordon-Shaw, a dentist working out of the Blue Island area, treats the survivors in The ARK’s dental suite, which she praises as a “beautiful facility.”

“Aside from simply not being able to afford dental care,” she explains, “some have been scared of dentists, or have had dental work in other times and places that do not meet today’s American standards of care. Some simply lack the manual dexterity” necessary to properly clean their teeth, she says. “Many have been suffering for years.”

The patients are mostly in their 70s and 80s, she says, and the oldest she treated was in her 90s. Often, patients have to come back multiple times until their procedures are finished-and in certain cases, those appointments are postponed due to other health issues that arise.

While working with survivors on their dental care, Gordon-Shaw she also forms friendships with them. “I spend a long time with each patient. I do the dentistry, but I also carry on their stories. I keep the memory going,” she said. “In my 27-year career, this has been
the highlight.”

Aside from the benefits to their physical health with their improved teeth, Gordon-Shaw notes that she sees other effects as well. “I had one patient who was so self-conscious about her teeth, she didn’t smile for years,” she said. “Now, she smiles all the time.”

All of the services the patients receive are completely free, funded by Henry Schein Medical Supply and other sources, including JUF. Alpha Omega also partners with a dental lab that has providing all of its services pro bono.

And while her patients can’t pay her with money, Gordon-Shaw says they find other ways to express their gratitude; “I get a lot of hugs and chocolate!” she said. “This work truly embodies the motto of Alpha Omega: Making friends, one smile at a time.” n

For more information about the program or volunteering dental services, call Leah Buchbinder, JUF Senior Planning Associate, at (313) 357-4722, or e-mail her at [email protected].