Dentist’s program helps breast cancer patients, survivors

As if going through chemotherapy wasn't difficult enough for breast cancer patients, one of the lesser-known treatment side-effects are dental problems such as tooth decay, infections, mouth sores and gum disease.

Las Vegas dentist Olya Banchik knows all about these under-publicized complications of chemo and radiation.

In 2008, Banchik made the connection between the chemo and oral health issues, which prompted her to launch a program to provide dental makeovers for financially challenged breast cancer patients going through treatments and also breast cancer survivors. She had real-life examples as her mother, mother-in-law and close friend all were breast cancer survivors.

In 2010, Banchik officially registered Smiles for Survivors as a 501(c)3 foundation to provide the smile makeovers while also treating breast cancer patients and survivors for oral health issues.

And in the five years since, Banchik has used her professional dental network to line up dental colleagues to participate in Smiles for Survivors in Las Vegas, as well as in Washington and Delaware cities, Phoenix, and Nashville, Tenn.

Bamchik said 10 dentists in Las Vegas donate their time for Smiles for Survivors, with four others are scattered in those other cities and states.

"Everyone has been impacted by someone with breast cancer in their life because it such a widespread disease," Banchik said this week.

"These dentists can do something to help. You're not just throwing money at something," she said.

More and more people are finding out about the Smiles program, and Banchik draws many inquiries — even from people going through treatments for other forms of cancer.

But Smiles for Survivors only treats breast cancer patients or survivors.

"There is a lot more awareness about the subject. Unfortunately, we are so tiny (as an organization)," Banchik said. "We haven't been accepting people with other types of cancer."

Through 2013, Banchik's Smiles program had provided free work to 16 patients, who received 129 separate procedures. More than 80 hours of work were donated through the years.

In 2014 and 2015, Smiles for Survivors treats an average of seven to 10 patients a year, with each receiving $5,000 to $15,000 worth of dental work, Banchik said. Each patient receives at least 10 hours of dental work per year, she said.

In all, tens of thousands of dollars of free dental work have now been provided by Banchik and her network of dental friends.

Smiles for Survivors also offers education and guidance on teeth and oral care during after breast cancer treatments. Banchik said many patients are not informed fully by their doctors about the impact that chemo has on their teeth and oral health.

"It's a known fact," Banchik said of the link between chemo and dental issues. "The side effects are so debilitating. We're hoping these patients will know what to expect. When they suffer (from oral health problems), they don't eat properly and become malnourished."

Contact reporter Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com Find him on Twitter: @BicycleManSnel