“Restore a Hero’s Smile” in Faces: Bohdan Brozhyna, Kyiv

Bohdan Brozhyna is a dental surgeon and prosthodontist from Kyiv with extensive experience working with complex cases. In an interview, he shared what helps him stay motivated in today’s conditions, where he draws inspiration, and how to communicate correctly with military patients.

How long have you been working with Dental Help UA?

The team at «Exclusive Q’Dent» joined the program two years ago. It was an urgent need to help our defenders. As a specialist, I felt it was important to do something meaningful and beneficial for our military personnel.

With so many potential military patients, how do you select who to treat?

Initially, our clinic tried to treat everyone in need under the Dental Help UA program. Over time, as the foundation grew and more patients required rehabilitation of the dentoalveolar system, we defined two main treatment vectors:
– Total rehabilitation on implants
– Combined rehabilitation on natural teeth and implants, where successful treatment requires prosthetics for remaining teeth.
– Most of these patients had severe injuries and were in urgent need of dental restoration.

What do you find personally interesting about working with military patients?

What do you find personally interesting about working with military patients?
Total rehabilitation is a long and meticulous process. Typically, we work with a patient for up to six months. Fabricating a single prosthesis usually takes about a month. Sometimes we involve partners—for example, 3D Metal Tech, a Ukrainian company specializing in titanium templates. Without them, complex rehabilitations would be impossible.

The most important thing is that Dental Help UA provides access to the world’s best materials, allowing our team to help Ukrainian defenders and gain unique professional experience on a global scale, working with some of the bravest people in the world.

Military patients often have difficult personal stories. Is it easy to communicate with them?

Almost every serviceman shares their experiences, injuries, or important memories. Often these are poignant topics, related to loss or trauma, so building trust and providing moral support is crucial. Our veterans are especially vulnerable, and society needs to communicate with them with understanding and tolerance.

Where do you draw strength to keep going in this marathon of war?

If work is a hobby, not just a profession, being able to practice dentistry during war is a luxury and a blessing. Volunteer initiatives also inspire me, as they allow you to do meaningful work through your profession. I also believe the dental community should unite more around helping veterans. The demand for dental rehabilitation of defenders grows every day, so more skilled help and financial support from partners is the top priority.

What do you consider the main outcome of your work with the “Restore a Hero’s Smile” project?

After total rehabilitation, patients change — they blossom, move with ease, almost as if they are flying. After treatment, they lift their heads high and smile widely! This is the best outcome of our work. Glory to Ukraine!