“Return a Smile to a Hero” — In Faces. Dr. Yaroslav Bachynskyi, RDC – Rehabilitation Dental Center, Ivano-Frankivsk
Some of our project’s dentists joined literally from day one. Among them is Yaroslav Bachynskyi, co-owner of RDC and head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Association of Implantologists.
To date, Yaroslav’s team has treated 13 defenders, with 5 more currently undergoing care. Collaborating with Dental Help UA is a natural continuation of his and his team’s long-standing volunteer work, helping restore smiles for Ukrainian soldiers since 2014.
“The last thing our soldiers should worry about on the front line is tooth pain. Everything my team and I do since the war began is nothing compared to what our defenders do,” shares Yaroslav. “It is important that soldiers feel cared for — it gives them strength to fight and win.”
The project also opens opportunities for Ukrainian dentists. Clinics that already provide free care can treat even more soldiers, and those who previously lacked the funds to cover costly implants can now help almost without limits. At RDC, collaboration with Dental Help UA allows funds to be directed toward free treatments for soldiers. Yaroslav emphasizes the structured and transparent nature of the partnership, making it clear what the fund provides and what is expected from the dentist.
Most patients at RDC come from active combat zones, including medical personnel who assist the wounded on the battlefield. “You never get used to soldiers saying goodbye, thanking you, and sometimes warning that it may be the last time you see them. Their resilience and will to win are priceless,” he recalls.
The team also accounts for military rotations, ensuring treatment protocols minimize complications. The Frankolab laboratory actively participates in restoring defenders’ smiles.
Yaroslav is confident in the long-term partnership with Dental Help UA, seeing it as a scalable, nationwide initiative. Future directions could include supplying materials for reconstruction and bone grafting. “Dental volunteerism will only grow in relevance, and this project already delivers excellent results,” he concludes.
