Care Collective
The Problem
Oral health is one of the most overlooked aspects of basic healthcare. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss seem like small things — until you don’t have them. For many families, dental supplies are an expense that gets cut when budgets are tight, even though poor oral health can lead to pain, missed school days, and long-term health problems.
I noticed this gap in my own community and decided to do something about it.
What Care Collective Does
Care Collective is a student-led initiative I founded to collect and distribute essential dental care supplies to families who need them. We organize donation drives at school and through community partners, gathering:
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Dental floss and mouthwash
- Educational materials about oral hygiene
- Information on local low-cost dental resources
Each care package is designed to give a family a solid starting point for maintaining oral health at home.
Why It Matters to Me
As someone exploring a future in dentistry, I believe access to oral health shouldn’t depend on income. Every week I write about the science of teeth and gums in my dental journal — but science only helps if people have the tools to act on it.
Care Collective is how I bridge that gap. It’s the “Service” in Smiles, Science & Service — turning what I learn into something that helps real people.
What’s Next
We’re building partnerships with local organizations to expand distribution and planning our next drive for the fall. If you’re interested in contributing supplies or collaborating, reach out at sifathkaurarora@gmail.com.