For five days in June 2025, people who needed dental treatment walked into a Cairo clinic and met a team ready to help. The dental mission in Egypt, organized by DYOR Clinic and Human Development Fund (HDF), treated more than 300 patients.
Some needed fillings. Others required extractions or root canal treatment. Each person arrived with a different need, but the purpose was shared: address pain, preserve teeth where possible and make dental care easier to reach.
A mission rooted in three lives
The story of Project Refugee Smiles began with Deah Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha. Before they were killed alongside Yusor’s sister, Razan Abu-Salha, in 2015, Deah and Yusor had begun a mission to bring dental care to Syrian refugees in Turkey.
Their families and friends carried that spirit of service forward through DYOR Clinic. A decade later, the partnership between DYOR Clinic and HDF brought the same commitment to Cairo: practical care offered as a living sadaqah jariyah in honor of Deah, Yusor and Razan.
What the dental mission in Egypt delivered
Led by Project Refugee Smiles’ lead dentist, Dr. Hesham Baky, the volunteer team included dentists, assistants and technicians. Over five days, they provided:
- Fillings to restore damaged teeth
- Extractions when a tooth could not be saved
- Root canal treatment to preserve natural teeth
- Oral-health education for patients and families
- Hygiene kits and food packages alongside dental care
The work continued after the last appointment. Remaining supplies and equipment were donated to local clinics so they could support further care beyond the mission.
Care for displaced and local families
The Cairo mission served Gazan evacuees, Syrian and Sudanese refugees, and Egyptian families facing barriers to dental care.
For people rebuilding their lives after displacement, oral health can be one urgent need among many. The mission brought clinical treatment, practical supplies and health education together in one place. It also allowed volunteers and local teams to work side by side, sharing equipment and knowledge while caring for each patient as a person.
A legacy that keeps serving
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught: “When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, and a righteous child who prays for them.” (Sahih Muslim)
Project Refugee Smiles carries that principle forward. Deah, Yusor and Razan are remembered not only through words, but through people receiving care, volunteers giving their time and clinics equipped to continue serving.
Help the next patient receive care
The Cairo mission reached more than 300 patients, but the need for accessible dental care continues. Supporting the project helps its teams provide treatment, supplies and oral-health education to more communities.
Support Project Refugee Smiles →
May Allah accept this work as ongoing charity, reward everyone who has carried this legacy forward and bring relief to every patient served. Ameen.
