By Dr. Nafiseh Najmafshar, DDS, MPH Candidate
“Every smile tells a story of health.” This belief has guided my journey from clinical dentistry in Iran to public health research in the United States. My name is Nafiseh Najmafshar, and I am a dentist currently pursuing a Master of Public Health while conducting research at the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
Growing up, I always admired how a single dental visit could prevent severe dental problems. Yet, after several years in private practice and volunteering in rural areas, I started to notice that oral health problems were rarely isolated; they were symptoms of larger social and health inequities. Many of my patients, especially mothers and children, faced barriers such as poverty, depression, and lack of access to preventive care. I wanted to do more than treat; I wanted to understand the “why” behind disease.
“True healing begins with prevention.” That realization inspired my transition from dentistry to the field of public health. My current research focuses on integrating oral health screening into refugee medical examinations in the U.S. Working alongside Dr. Ana Lucia Seminario and Dr. Alexandria Drake, I am exploring how oral health can become a more visible part of the refugee health journey, from arrival screenings to long-term community support.
In October 2025, I had the opportunity to present this work at the Washington State Public Health Association Conference, where I shared an infographic and policy recommendations on expanding oral health access for refugees. The feedback and discussions from public health professionals across the state reinforced how crucial collaboration is in creating sustainable change.
All the datasets and articles in this field keep on strengthening my belief that dental health should be considered a basic human right rather than a privilege. The smiles of mothers who regain the ability to eat, speak, and live comfortably remind me that our work extends beyond research; it touches lives in profound ways.
Moving forward, I hope to expand this work to global settings where marginalized populations continue to face preventable oral health burdens. My dream is to merge clinical dentistry with public health policy, ensuring that prevention and compassion go hand in hand wherever care is delivered.
“Health equity begins with a smile, and every effort to protect it counts.”