Based on his extensive research at UCLA and his position as the principle investigator of an IRB approved research with homeless Dr. Arash has a special place in his heart for working with the homeless community. It was for this reason and his intense passion for helping the homeless that Dr. Arash participated actively in the Union Rescue Mission Dental Clinic in Skidrow downtown Los Angeles.
More than 1,100 patients are treated annually by dental and dental hygiene students alone providing emergency care to all with comprehensive care provided to participants referred from substance abuse recovery and job training programs. It includes endodontic care (root canals) to save teeth when possible. Additionally, almost one of four patients received partial or full dentures, a service not provided in any other “safety-net” dental clinic.
In the past decade, we have provided community education and oral health care kits to nearly 200,000 individuals. We’ve provided direct treatment to more than 10,000 patients, improving their health, enhancing their lives and increasing their employability, in a project nickamed “Hired, Not Homeless.” Dr. Arash further garnered his sense of communal responsiblity and enhanced the experiences involved in the positive aspects of service-learning, community practice and professional philanthropy which has led him to create many of his programs now as a dental professional and community activist.
“What an amazing experience working with my mentor Dr. Santosh Sundaresan, Section Chair of the USC Community Health Programs, where I was able to do what I love, help people in need. I don’t think many people understand the amount of battered women and children in these communities who are truly down on their luck and that need and deserve the same access to basic dental services as others in the general population.”
To learn more about this program directly with USC School of Dentistry Follow the Link:
https://urm.org/
