Who we are

Meet the heartbeat of Project Refugee Smiles—a diverse group of dental professionals, students, and community leaders united by a shared conviction that oral health is a fundamental human right. With experience that spans private practice, academic research, nonprofit management, and grassroots activism, our volunteers blend clinical excellence with entrepreneurial grit and a deep spirit of service.

Together, we design and deliver mobile clinics, secure critical supplies, and mentor the next generation of healthcare advocates, all while honoring the legacy of Deah Barakat and Our Three Winners. Every smile we restore is a testament to their vision and to the collective expertise, compassion, and relentless optimism that drives our team forward.

  • Lead Dentist

    A nationally recognized clinician and entrepreneur, Dr. Hesham Baky is Executive Vice President at Lightwave Dental and founder of Triangle Family Dentistry and Carolina Orthodontics & Children’s Dentistry—21 practices across North Carolina. He leads ABB CRE, the real‑estate arm that supports those offices, and was named a Top 40 Dentist Under 40 by Incisal Edge. An adjunct professor at the UNC School of Dentistry, Dr. Baky serves on the board of the Mariam Clinic and organizes an annual health fair for the historic Method community. Away from work he enjoys time with his wife, Aya, their four children, and a good game of basketball, volleyball, or football.

  • Lead Logistics Coordinator

    Zain Abdelbaky is a junior at Research Triangle High School and the lead organizer for Project Refugee Smiles, coordinating logistics and volunteer engagement. An enterprising student, he also runs Z & B Flips, a house‑flipping venture that funds local service projects, and spearheads The Lighthouse Project’s Interfaith Food Drive. Zain channels his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into practical solutions that uplift refugees and low‑income families.

  • Dentist

    Dr. Ali Heydary earned his DDS from the UNC School of Dentistry, completed an AEGD residency at UT San Antonio, and later returned to specialize in Endodontics. A co‑organizer of the original Refugee Smiles trips, he now chairs DYOR Clinic in Chapel Hill, a nonprofit reducing barriers to oral‑health care for refugees and displaced families. Dr. Heydary balances a busy specialty practice with community outreach, firmly believing that access to dentistry is a cornerstone of human dignity.

  • Dentist

    A graduate of the UNC School of Dentistry and alumnus of the inaugural Refugee Smiles mission honoring Deah Barakat, Dr. Ibrahim Darhmoui remains devoted to domestic and international dental outreach. Whether leading local free‑clinic days or joining global service brigades, he delivers compassionate care to those most in need. Off the clock, Dr. Darhmoui enjoys life with his wife and two daughters—often outdoors, always smiling.

Contact us

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