Please direct questions to me at mysmilewithin@gmail.com or jubileechen2027@u.northwestern.edu.

Community Leaders - please navigate to the Apply tab to refer an individual that you believe could benefit from our services.

Dentists - please navigate to the Be a Provider tab to meet our existing team and discover how to get involved.

Our Story

Hi, my name is Jubilee Chen and I am an undergraduate pre-dental student at Northwestern University. Thank you for visiting My Smile Within’s website where our goal is to provide affordable dental work for women who have overcome trauma.

I started My Smile Within in January of 2021 soon after Covid-19. The pandemic caused a rise in domestic abuse across the nation because women were forced to stay at home with their abusers. Moreover, lockdowns limited government support services and resources to combat human trafficking. Injuries to the face and mouth are some of the major trauma sustained by survivors of domestic abuse and sex trafficking. Often survivors lack the resources to restore these wounds which act as a constant reminder of the abuse. Maxilla and mandible fractures, bruising, and dental dislocations hinder an individual’s road to healing. The goal of My Smile Within is to provide women who have suffered trauma the necessary dental care to promote the restoration of their self esteem and physical health.

Dental care remains one of the most inaccessible and expensive forms of healthcare in the United States. High costs for complex procedures like reconstructive surgery, implants, and orthodontics prevent those who really need them from accessing these treatments. For women who have overcome trauma including sexual abuse, homelessness, and drug addiction, the burden is even greater. My Smile Within aims to bridge this gap by collaborating with dental professionals and community organizations. The name “My Smile Within” was born from the idea that there is no internal healing without external restoration.

In my time at Glenbrook South High School (2021-2023), I started a My Smile Within Club which served as a platform to spread awareness about sexual abuse and other forms of major adversity that women face. After my graduation, the club continues to work with the organization to raise funds for the dental treatment that the women need. 

I took the past year to transition to college and as 2025 begins, I am moving the organization forward. With My Smile Within’s base in Evanston, IL, I will expand networks with local community organizations and strengthen partnerships with dentists. Using my position on Northwestern’s Pre-dental society executive board, I aim to get college students involved in the organization’s mission. I believe that it is important for future clinicians to directly see the impact of dental care on an individual’s confidence and the way they carry themselves.

To date, we have helped two individuals gain the smile they deserve. Their stories are told in further detail under the Testimonials tab. Even so, the path to recovery is not linear. These women have needed to return for follow up visits and more treatment through the years. My goal is to keep increasing the number of individuals we can support while understanding that we cannot help everyone. Nevertheless, each person we help contributes to the larger mission of restoring dignity and improving lives.