An Edinburgh-based dental charity is quietly changing lives—one smile at a time. The Diamond Smiles Foundation, founded by implant dentist and owner of Southside Dental, Leanne Branton, offers transformative dental care to women survivors of domestic abuse and addiction. Although the charity was only founded in November 2024, it’s already having an impact.
Leanne decided to launch Diamond Smiles because of the stories of domestic abuse she had heard, including one which was close to home. These stories motivated her to try to do something to help women who had endured the trauma of domestic abuse. “I had always wanted to do something,” she says. “But the stories I started to hear, the statistics—it just blew me away. I had no idea it was so prevalent.”
Diamond Smiles works closely with both Women’s Aid and The Circle, a charity focused on helping families, including those affected by addiction. These organisations act as referrers, ensuring that the women who come to Diamond Smiles are ready for the intensive dental treatment the charity provides.
The care Diamond Smiles provides is restorative, often involving dental implants, which requires stability and long-term commitment. “We wanted to work with these charities because effectively they are screening the ladies coming through. This isn’t an emergency service,” Leanne explains. “Our job is to get them dentally fit if they’re not already and to reconstruct them using implants; that’s the primary function of the charity. That sort of treatment, even if it’s the right treatment but at the wrong time, can be really traumatizing for these ladies. So, there’s a real risk with this invasive treatment that we’re doing that if they’re not ready emotionally, physically, and medically, then maybe it’s not the right thing to do for them. So, this is where these charities step in.”
To be eligible for care, patients must meet specific criteria: stable housing, no active addictions, and overall medical fitness. This ensures that the often complex and invasive dental work is appropriate and likely to succeed. “We’re not just giving them teeth,” Leanne explains. “We’re giving them back a part of themselves that was taken.”
Restoring normality as well as teeth
Since its launch event in November 2024, Diamond Smiles has treated around 50 women. Not all opt for implants; some choose dentures, depending on their needs and preferences. But the goal is always the same: to restore dignity, confidence, and a sense of normality. For many survivors, their dental trauma is a daily reminder of their past. “Looking in the mirror and seeing what was taken from them—it can stop their healing,” Leanne says. “Giving them their smile back is huge.”
The charity holds clinics at Leanne’s practice one Saturday a month and is staffed entirely by volunteer dentists, nurses and hygienists who donate their time and expertise. Complex procedures are handled by experienced implant dentists. However, the charity also has a training programme that allows dentists to learn implant techniques while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Women who complete treatment are offered NHS registration at Leanne’s practice, along with their children. For those who live further afield, Diamond Smiles helps connect them with practices near to where they live. While ongoing hygiene and maintenance aren’t yet covered by the charity, patients are fully informed and supported to manage their care.
Cementing the future
The ripple effects of this work are already visible. One key worker reported that a patient’s children had started brushing their teeth regularly, inspired by their mother’s transformation. “Happy mum, happy kids,” Leanne says. “It’s about rebuilding lives, not just smiles.”
Diamond Smiles is also preparing for its first annual conference in Edinburgh this September. The event will feature expert speakers discussing the link between dental health and overall well-being, followed by a black-tie dinner. While the evening event is nearly sold out, the daytime conference still has tickets available. Leanne hopes the conference will raise awareness and inspire other practices across the UK to get involved.
Despite its success, Diamond Smiles faces challenges. Volunteer no-shows and the emotional toll of hearing patients’ stories are real concerns. However, by working with Women’s Aid and The Circle, the charity is able to support its volunteers with trauma-induced care training and support. “Hearing the stories of these women can be upsetting,” Leanne admits. “But it’s also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”
Looking ahead, Leanne hopes to expand the model to other practices across Scotland and the UK. By gathering data and refining their approach, Diamond Smiles aims to create a blueprint that others can follow. “We’re almost doing a pilot run,” she says. “If we can show how it works, maybe others will join us.”
As far as Leanne is aware, Diamond Smiles is currently the only UK charity offering this kind of dental support to survivors of domestic abuse. While she acknowledges the need for similar services for men, the charity’s women-only model provides a safe, protected environment where survivors can connect, heal, and rebuild.
For dental professionals across the UK, Diamond Smiles offers a powerful reminder of the impact their skills can have beyond routine care. “It’s a lot of work. There’s no getting away from that,” she admits. “But it’s probably the most satisfying thing I’ve ever done. Considering I love my job as a dentist, I’m very lucky.” She sees her work with the charity as a way to reconnect with her ‘why’ for becoming a dentist. “We forget the positive stuff we can do,” Leanne says. “This is about using our profession to make a real difference.”
To learn more or support the upcoming conference, visit the Diamond Smiles Foundation’s Eventbrite page .