Nizhóní Smiles

Nizhóní (Beautiful) Smiles Dental Program is the only non-profit dental program located on the Navajo Nation in the rural community of Shiprock, New Mexico. The program opened its doors in 1994, offering orthodontic (braces) services and later expanded to include general dentistry. The program has provided services to numerous patients, the majority of those being residents of the Navajo Nation. From the parking lot Tsé Bit’a’í (Rock with Wings) can be seen, a breathtaking site in the distance.

The onset of COVID-19 not only resulted in devastating morbidity and mortality rates, but also impacted the ability of healthcare clinics (including Nizhóní Smiles) to provide services. We are currently in a rebuilding phase which has been extremely challenging due to the cost of equipment, supplies, and building upkeep costs which substantially increased post-pandemic.

This invaluable resource is unknown to many in New Mexico. However, to local community members near Shiprock and residents of the Navajo Nation, Nizhóní Smiles provides a local dental option preventing them from having to spend their limited funds on gasoline to travel long distances for treatment.

“ I like that we have Nizhóní Smiles in Shiprock, especially for braces so we don’t have to drive a longer distance for these services. Sometimes, we just don’t have the money for gas.” - Nizhóní Smiles patient

The program is also collaborating with state and national dental entities to bring more dental resources to the local community and the Navajo Nation. Recently, the New Mexico Dental Association Foundation donated 2,000 oral health packets to the Central Consolidated School District in Shiprock and Nizhóní Smiles helped to coordinate this preventive effort. We hope this will be an annual activity so it can continue to positively impact the oral health status of the students.

According to the New Mexico Department of Oral Health, “Poor oral health in children has been related to decreased school performance, poor social relationships, and less success later in life”.

Nizhóní Smiles partners with the Society of American Indian Dentists to serve as a resource for assistance to American Indian students interested in the profession of dentistry and to promote dental health in American Indian communities. They donated dental supplies to Nizhóní Smiles which were distributed to the Navajo Nation Community Health Representatives and the Sheep Springs Chapter.

“Research has shown associations between chronic oral infections and heart and lung diseases, stroke, diabetes, low birth weight, and premature birth,” according to the New Mexico Department of Oral Health.

We are extremely grateful to the Santa Fe Community Foundation and their commitment to improving New Mexico. Because of their contributions, we have been able to keep our doors open, and continue to gain momentum.