- Healing Smiles program helping to restore the smiles and confidence of women impacted by family and domestic violence
- Healing Smiles operates on a referral basis and is run by a dedicated team of all-female professional practitioners and volunteers
- Over 240 women have received treatment and support since Healing Smiles' inception in 2018
- Delivers on a McGowan Government Election commitment of $930,000 to support Healing Smiles through to October 2025
Minister for Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Simone McGurk has highlighted the success of the Healing Smiles program, supporting hundreds of women impacted by the trauma of family and domestic violence.
The State Government-supported program offers free or heavily subsidised specialist dental care for people unable to afford the high costs of treatment, with all work performed pro bono by Healing Smiles' team of all-female clinical practitioners.
Healing Smiles was established in 2018 and operates on a referral basis, with volunteers connected to a network of partnering refuge agencies and linked case workers to ensure priority clients are supported with warmth, care, and empathy through each step of their treatment journey.
The entrenched economic effects of family and domestic violence are well documented.
Many survivors experience not just the immediate dental trauma of abuse, but the ongoing impact of oral health problems linked to a lack of appropriate access to dental care.
Since its inception, Healing Smiles has assisted over 240 clients with a third of all patients helped identifying as Aboriginal.
While Healing Smiles predominantly assists clients based in Perth, the program has branched out in 2022 to assist individuals as far north as Geraldton, as far east as Katanning, and as far south as Albany.
All Healing Smiles practitioners undertake specialised training and education to learn techniques that help them support vulnerable clients and promote the best outcomes for each patient.
In doing so, they are helping restore the confidence and self-esteem of women who have experienced violence from a partner or loved one.
The State Government is contributing over $930,000 in funding to Healing Smiles through to October 2025, as part of a comprehensive $60 million election commitment to combat family and domestic violence.
To learn more about Healing Smiles and their incredible work, visit the program's website.
The annual 16 Days in WA - Stop Violence Against Women campaign commenced on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and runs through to 10 December (Human Rights Day).
Now in its sixth year, 16 Days in WA draws inspiration from the global movement for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence to drive a change in the culture, behaviour, and attitudes that lead to violence against women and their children.
Further information on the 16 Days in WA campaign, including statistics and resources, is available online.
As stated by Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence Minister Simone McGurk:
"I'm proud to be part of a government that's helping to put a smile back on the faces of survivors of family and domestic violence.
"While not all violence is physical, for those who do suffer assaults the results can be devastating.
"Physical injuries can include broken, chipped, and lost teeth, as well as trauma to the jaw and neck.
"Many women are confronted with the abuse they've suffered every time they look in the mirror. Nobody should have to live that way.
"The dental treatment Healing Smiles offers also helps to reduce other psychological barriers that can prevent individuals from seeking support, work opportunities or other life skill essentials. The results are truly life changing."
As stated by Dr Shanash Bishnulall - Healing Smiles volunteer and practitioner:
"Many incidents of FDV involve trauma to the head and mouth, leading to dental injuries, chronic pain, and ongoing oral health problems from victims being deprived timely access to dental treatment, or through a breakdown in self-care.
"We believe that restoring a smile can also help restore a victim's dignity, self-confidence, and their ability to move forward with their lives.
"By linking with women's refuge agencies, support services, caseworkers, police, and health care teams, Healing Smiles aims to provide a safe, strong, and wide network of support that assists women during the course of their dental treatment and beyond."
