Katherine (Katie) Otto is bringing healthy smiles to women and children with her Fellowship project, Pittsburgh Smiles Together! A student at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Katie hopes to ease the fear of patients who have had negative experiences in the dentist’s chair. “I am lucky because I loved my childhood dentist,” she says, “That’s not something you hear very often.”
Katie has tailored her project to help victims of domestic violence, recognizing the barriers that prevent them from seeking treatment. “Abusive spouses often prevent them from getting the care they need,” she stated. “They aren’t allowed to have a job, or maybe they can’t have a car. Sometimes, they can’t even leave the house to go to the doctor’s office.”
Through women’s shelters and transitional housing programs, Katie aims to provide a comprehensive support system for oral health, including education, screenings, psychological support, and connection to affordable care resources. “Many people aren’t educated on dental health,” Katie said. “I want to focus on different aspects: dental anxiety, the importance of fluoride, how oral health affects the entire body, and the importance of diet.” She will also be working with pediatricians to encourage healthy brushing habits for the children using modeling techniques and activities.
Katie’s passion for this project was inspired by an experience she had while serving lunches at a women’s shelter. “I met this woman who told me that she and her daughter had been living at the shelter for a few weeks. She was missing some of her aesthetic (front) teeth,” Katie recounted. “It made me realize how domestic abuse can prevent women and children from getting the care they need through financial limitations, control, and self-esteem.”
Katie was moved by the woman’s experience and felt compelled to help. “She was so thankful that someone was there to listen to her story and give her advice on getting affordable dental care,” she stated. Katie also feels a need to integrate domestic abuse support and dental care. “We’re trained to recognize the signs of physical abuse during patient interactions. We have to be extra alert because most abuse injuries occur in the head and neck.”
On securing patient trust, Katie believes that empathy is essential, especially with victims of abuse. Her motivation for helping others stems from her own drastic changes in health due to a severe gluten intolerance. “When you’re unhealthy, it makes you feel hopeless,” she said. “I’m happiest when I’m mindful of my health. I want to help my patients feel confident and have a beautiful smile!”
You can contribute to Pittsburgh Smiles Together by donating toothbrushes and other dental care supplies. To learn how you can make donations, contact Brittany at bmassar@pittsburghschweitzer.org.
