“Return a Smile to a Hero” — In Faces. Dr. Andriy Vatanov, Dr.VatanoV Dentistry, Kherson

Today we introduce another active participant in the “Return a Smile to a Hero” project — Dr. Andriy Vatanov. His clinic, Dr.VatanoV Dentistry, is the only private dental facility currently accepting patients in Kherson. Dr. Vatanov, a surgeon-dentist with nearly 20 years of experience, has dedicated himself to both professional care and supporting Ukrainian defenders.

Responsibility

“I had the opportunity to leave Kherson, but I chose to stay.

A leader is responsible not only for himself but also for his team and patients. Many people left the city, but there are still those in need of care. We have a team ready to help. Currently, we share this mission of maintaining dental support with public dental clinics in Kherson.”

Experience working with soldiers

Since the de-occupation of Kherson, the clinic has been providing free care to soldiers, including those from the Armed Forces, territorial defense units, and the State Emergency Service, mostly addressing acute pain. Later, they joined the Dental Help UA project, receiving Straumann implants to perform surgeries. So far, 10 soldiers have received implants, often due to prolonged deployment in a single area and lack of timely medical care.

The clinic continues to treat acute dental pain for free and offers discounted procedures for soldiers. Sometimes it is the soldiers’ relatives who ensure they receive care.

With seven treatment rooms, the clinic prioritizes military patients, performing implant surgeries as quickly as possible. The team includes two surgeons, two prosthodontists, two therapists, anesthesiologists, and hygienists.

Working under fire

“You never truly adapt. War is harsh and bloody. You can’t get used to news of deaths, destroyed cities, and ruined homes. Yet even under these conditions, we continue to work and support our defenders — before and after victory.”