The Dr. Borna Meisami Commemorative Foundation (DBMF) is a Canadian charitable foundation that provides free dental, oral, sleep, and physical rehabilitative care to survivors of gender-based violence. Founded in 2009, the foundation offers three main programs: Restoring Smiles (dental and orofacial reconstruction), Restoring Sleep (treatment for sleep disorders), and Restoring Strength (musculoskeletal and orthopedic care). Services are provided through a network of volunteer practitioners to women and gender-diverse persons living in shelters or supportive housing who have no access to other social assistance dental programs. View Dr. Borna Meisami Foundation (DBMF)'s website for more information.
The Dr. Borna Meisami Commemorative Foundation occupies a unique niche in Canadian charitable giving by funding comprehensive healthcare services for one of society's most vulnerable populations: survivors of gender-based violence. Rather than providing direct monetary grants, the foundation funds the actual cost of medical and dental treatments that beneficiaries could not otherwise afford. This model represents a form of in-kind funding that transforms lives by restoring health, function, and confidence.
The foundation serves women and gender-diverse persons who have survived domestic violence and are currently living in shelters or supportive housing. These individuals typically have no access to social assistance dental programs and lack the financial resources to pursue treatment for injuries sustained from physical abuse. The foundation has supported over 100 shelters across Canada and continues to expand its reach.
Restoring Smiles: Provides free dental and orofacial reconstructive services, including crown and bridge work, dental implants, orthodontic treatment, and maxillofacial surgery. This is the foundation's flagship program addressing dental pain, missing teeth, and facial injuries resulting from domestic violence.
Restoring Sleep: Offers free treatment for sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia, and snoring, which can result from trauma and stress related to abuse.
Restoring Strength: Provides free treatment for musculoskeletal conditions and orthopedic trauma affecting the upper and lower extremities, neck, and back.
As a registered Canadian charity (Registration Number: 84265 5086 RR0001), the foundation operates under regulatory oversight and publishes annual reports. The organization has received multiple awards recognizing its humanitarian work, including the Urban Hero Award (2012), Daniel Laskin Award (2020), Peter Newman Humanitarian Award (2021), and Women of Distinction Award (2021).