“Return a Smile to a Hero”. Artem Oleksyuk, Oleksyuk Dentistry Clinic, Ternopil
In the director’s office of Artem Oleksyuk, owner of the Oleksyuk Dentistry Clinic in Ternopil, dozens of packages are constantly being prepared for the front lines. Friends and colleagues of Artem have been supporting Ukrainian soldiers since the start of the full-scale invasion, providing clothing, food, hygiene products, vehicles, Starlink devices, and other vital supplies.
“It starts with ourselves,” says Artem Oleksyuk. “When our patients see everything being packed and sent — from medicine and food to binoculars — the war becomes more real to them. They feel part of a bigger cause, and better understand how funds from their treatment are directed.”
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, soldiers visiting Oleksyuk Dentistry have received professional care. With the Dental Help UA project and free Straumann implants, even more Defenders have been able to smile fully again.
“Since 2014, we have consistently treated Ukrainian soldiers, usually providing hygiene care,” says Oleksyuk. “These are our defenders — men and women from Kyiv and Chernihiv — whom we have known for years. Today, new contacts, new patients, and new professional challenges keep appearing. Sometimes, I travel to other regions to perform surgeries at colleagues’ invitations.”
For Artem, supporting soldiers is a synergy: their courage enables businesses to operate, preserve jobs, and pay taxes. “This war is not a sprint but a marathon. The economy will require the strength and endurance of Ukrainian companies, just as our soldiers endure on the front lines.”
The main goal is to show soldiers that they are cared for at home. “Society has changed and will continue to change. We will live alongside veterans and their physical and moral injuries. We must remember this and treat every Defender with respect,” emphasizes Artem.
