SmileDirectClub partnered with celebrity dentist Amira Ogunleye to advocate for better access to oral health care in marginalized communities.
SmileDirectClub has partnered with celebrity cosmetic dentist Amira Ogunleye, DDS, to advocate for increased access to affordable, safe, and effective dental care.
Ogunleye will work to educate patients and colleagues about SmileDirectClub’s telehealth platform as part of the partnership.
In partnership with SmileDirectClub, Ogunleye will educate professionals and consumers on the barriers marginalized communities face in dental care through social media and digital advocacy. She will use her platform as a dentist for celebrities like LeBron James, Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, and Dwyane Wade.
“SmileDirectClub believes everyone deserves a smile that they love, and we created our innovative telehealth platform for teeth straightening to bridge the gaps of access, affordability, and convenience,” said John Sheldon, chief marketing officer, SmileDirectClub. “We know minority communities are disproportionately impacted by these barriers, and by teaming up with Dr. Amira we can shed light on these inequities and find solutions to address the fundamental issues, while also providing an affordable teeth straightening solution to her patients.”
Ogunleye’s practice, Beautiful Smiles, is the latest to join the SmileDirectClub Partner Network, which has grown to include 735 active or pending training dental partner locations across the U.S.
The partnership builds on the SDC’s commitment to help underrepresented dental practitioners and underserved communities of color.
Earlier this year, SmileDirectClub partnered with the National Dental Association (NDA) to create a new scholarship program for African American oral health professionals, awarding a total of $210,000 to 28 deserving students.
The NDA will announce the scholarship recipients in December 2021, providing financial support to the next generation of African American oral health professionals.
Photo courtesy of SmileDirectClub
