About Us — Overview
The Smile Starter envisions becoming the leading community health center in South Los Angeles, solving the health and well-being issues of the unserved and underserved populations across demographics, mindful of their cultural, spiritual, social and economic realities as well as the traditional barriers that hinder them from accessing quality healthcare.
Who we are
We are not just a clinic, but also caring health partner and family to you.
Our Vision
Empowering people and reinventing lives through holistic care.
We are guided by our values which inform what we do and how we work each day, so we can effectively support our clients and partners
- Engaged & Agile
We utilize all our energies to realize our client focused vision and mission. We workaround any obstacle to ensure good client health outcomes.
- Dedicated
We are blinded by our need to work with clients on a repeat basis – this ensures that our team strives to develop true partnerships with our clients. We are only in it for the long term!
- Innovative
We leverage innovation within cultural contexts to optimize healthcare impact by embracing strategic thinking and creativity in what we do
- Honest
We are guided by a strong and well-defined code of conduct that engenders a strong sense of trustworthiness
Our History
The Smile Starter was founded by Dr. Ndidi Uka. The Smile Starter is a nonprofit organization passionately committed to enhancing the overall health and confidence of individuals facing financial barriers to achieving a healthy smile. We firmly believe that a radiant smile is not just an aesthetic luxury but an essential asset that enables good quality of life.
We understand that a healthy, beautiful smile instills the confidence needed to strive for more in life. Our journey began with a simple yet impactful mission: to empower underprivileged and underserved women by enhancing their smiles, thereby enabling them to pursue employment opportunities, escape domestic violence, and lead healthier lives. We extended our assistance to elderly individuals, children, and young adults who struggle to afford basic health care. We continue to achieve growth through engaging with local schools and hosting an annual backpack giveaway in the South Los Angeles area, where we distribute backpacks filled with school supplies and oral hygiene kits to schools in need. This is our way of conducting outreach to the target populations. We are in this to continue expanding and reaching many in-need lives. We are committed to meeting those who are excluded from the traditional healthcare from where they are outside hospital or clinic walls.
Our Mission
To be a caring community health clinic that inspires healthy and happy living among our target populations by providing holistic care to patients.
We believe that by putting smiles back to patients’ faces, we can enhance personal and professional prospects while imparting valuable knowledge and tools for improved overall health. This is the essence of The Smile Starter, and we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. Together, we aim to create a brighter and healthier future for all regardless of their ability to pay.