March 5th, 2015

Press Release
Dr. Borna Meisami Foundation: Restoring Smiles Project
Major Grant Boosts Toronto Foundation Helping Survivors of Domestic Abuse
This is a landmark moment for the Foundation, says Dr. Meisami, founder of the Restoring
Smiles project. Restoring Smiles is a non-profit organization that provides free dental care to
female survivors of domestic abuse. In July 2014 Restoring Smiles was awarded a $50,000
grant from GreenShield Canada for exceptional community service. Thanks to the efforts of
project administrator Ms. Simone Taffe to secure the grant, Restoring Smiles is now able to
double its number of patients.
The grant made me realize that what I had hoped and envisioned for Restoring Smiles was no
longer a dream, says Dr. Meisami. We can now continue to expand our services and hopefully
one day become a constant source of support in Ontario for women who need us.
Since its inception in 2010, the Dr. Borna Meisami Foundation, which administers Restoring
Smiles, has provided full scope of free dental treatment to women affected by abuse. Restoring
Smiles also provides non-OHIP services such as mental health support, plastic surgery and scar
revision.
In the four years since its founding, Restoring Smiles has snowballed into a thriving
organization with over 13 female service providers and dozens of patients. Since 2010 the Dr.
Borna Meisami Foundation has provided over $150,000 worth of restorative treatment for over
30 patients, most of whom live in shelters across the GTA.
Working With Patients
Along with expanding services, Restoring Smiles plans to use the grant to tackle employment
barriers faced by patients. Survivors of abuse often struggle to find gainful employment. The Dr.
Borna Meisami Foundations newest project is to develop one staff position a year for former
patients as spokespeople, administrators and patient care coordinators.
It is important to us to have our own patients acting as our representatives, says Dr. Meisami,
and working directly with us to expand and improve the organization. Our patients know best
what they need to improve their lives, and they are the best people to tell us what we should do
to move forward. These staff positions will enable former patients to contribute directly to the
organization, as well as share their personal strength and valuable lived experience with
incoming patients.

About the Foundation

The Restoring Smiles project is administered by the Dr. Borna Meisami Commemorative
Foundation, which was established in 2010 to honor the memory of Dr. Borna Meisami. Borna
was an Orthopaedic surgeon and a humanitarian who was deeply affected by violence against
women. Borna passed away at the age of 40 on July 1, 2007. Restoring Smiles commemorates
his work as a compassionate and humane doctor with deep concerns about womens social
issues.
Interested in joining the team? The Foundation is seeking new doctors to join the team of
service providers working with survivors of domestic abuse. To get in touch, call the numbers
below or meet us one-on-one at ASM15, the Ontario Dental Association conference on May 7-9 th
2015 at the Toronto Convention Centre.
Contact Info
www.drbmeisamifoundation.com
info@drbmeisamifoundation.com
Office: 416-923-2102
Restoring Smiles is made possible by the generous support of the following
partners:
Donors
Toronto Crown and Bridge Study Club
The Douglas Utting Foundation
The Lakeshore Yacht Club
Industry partners
Nobel Biocare
Citagenix Canada
Gordana Dental Arts Studio
R. J. Smith Dental Lab
Proctor & Gamble
Henry Schein
3M
Doctors and their teams
Restoring Smiles provides the full scope of dental treatments such as fillings, crowns, veneers,
bleaching, cleanings, root canals, dental implants, dentures, orthodontic treatment, jaw and
facial reconstructive surgery. We also provide, as of this year surgical and nonsurgical scar
revision. Dr. Borna Meisami Foundation is grateful for the work and support of the following
individuals:
Founding Members and Board of Directors

Dr. Tina Meisami, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Dr. Maureen Fenn, Dental Surgeon
Dr. Yasmin Mawji, Dental Surgeon
Dr. Shiva Shadmand, Orthodontist
Dr. Renu Varshney, Dental Surgeon
Ms. Simone Taffe, Administrative Director
Members
Dr. Amelia Deliakis, Dental Surgeon
Dr. Sepideh Gharai, Dental Surgeon
Dr. Leslie Laing, Prosthodontist
Dr. Josie Marciello, Dental Surgeon
Dr. Tunde Pal, Dental Surgeon
Dr. Julie Paris, Dental Surgeon
Dr. Susanne Perschbacher, Radiologist
Dr. Emily Trohatos, Orthodontist

Ms. Maya Dimitrijevic, Graphic Design

Ms. Romina Fakhai,Student
Ms. Mavis Hunter, Nobelbiocare
Ms. Vanessa Emam, Dco Addictude
Ms. Shyla Matthews, Social Worker
Ms. Ann McConvey, Dental Hygienist
Ms. Monika Nieweglowska, Admin.
Ms. Leaha Soczek, Dental Assistant