Shiva Shadmand, Class of 9T9 PHD, 0T3 MSC ORTH

As an orthodontist, Shiva Shadmand doesn’t believe her job of realigning teeth is just about looking good. “I think about the health of the teeth, but beauty and aesthetics as well,” she says. Misaligned teeth cause social and economic repercussions, as well as pain and disease over time. Yet, there’s zero funding for orthodontic care for those who can’t afford it.

Shadmand wants to change that. She runs two successful practices, one in Toronto and one in Bradford, Ont., and gives back to patients via pro bono work. “Almost everyone in orthodontics is involved in pro bono work. But the demand is too much.”

In 2010, Shadmand joined Tina Meisami 9T6, 0T1 OMFS and three other dentists who met through the Faculty to create the Restoring Smiles program, offering free dental care to women who are victims of abuse. Shadmand often works with Meisami on complex cases that require a combination of orthodontics with oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Almost everyone in orthodontics is involved in pro bono work. But the demand is too much.

In the early years, the five friends did most of the work themselves. Now, the program has 50 volunteer dentists and celebrates its 10-year anniversary this spring. “It’s been a ride and it’s great,” says Shadmand, who completed her DDS in Tehran, and did both a PhD (researching bone growth) and her master’s in orthodontics at the Faculty.

Shadmand has joined U.S. nonprofit Smiles Change Lives, which screens and administers pro bono care for kids. She’s also launched her own anti-bullying and advocacy program, “You Smile, We Smile.” “The province provides necessary dental treatment to children, but apparently orthodontics doesn’t count as necessary,” she says. “The theory is orthodontics is elective. But it’s not.”

Studies show one in four elementary school children and one in three teens have been bullied because of their teeth. With mental health issues on the rise, Shadmand hopes data will help her change perceptions about dental aesthetics. “There are so many children being bullied.”

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Photo: Shiva Shadmand (Jeff Comber)