Quick Facts - Q&A 

Teeth for Life Scholarships
www.TeethScholarships.org

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Teeth for Life Scholarships is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing
financial assistance for individuals in need of complex dental treatment. Patients seeking care
must contribute to their own treatment costs, ensuring long-term commitment to their oral
health. Those requiring emergency extractions are referred to public clinics.

Our Mission & Vision

We believe that lifelong dental health improves not only individual well-being but also
economic and social stability. By partnering with local dental practices, it ensures that financial
hardship does not prevent access to transformative dental care. The goal is to help individuals
prevent severe infections, pain, and tooth loss, which can lead to serious health conditions like
cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

How We Operate

All donated funds go directly to scholarships—operational costs are covered by the board of
directors. Teeth for Life Scholarships is not a dental practice but works with dentists to triage
patients and cover a portion of their costs, ensuring full oral rehabilitation.

Impact & Community Engagement

Each year, the organization helps hundreds to thousands of patients, depending on case
complexity. Because recipients contribute financially, scholarship funds are stretched further,
enabling more individuals to receive care. In the Pajaro Valley, a large population of agricultural
workers lacks dental insurance, making financial aid crucial to their ability to function and
return to work.

Unique Approach & Systemic Change

Unlike previous non-profit dental clinics that closed due to overwhelming logistics, Teeth for
Life Scholarships subsidize dental treatment at existing regional dental practices. The founder,
Dr. Alexandra Jaquery, a restorative dentist since 1991, identified the urgent need for financial
assistance in Watsonville, leading to the creation of this initiative.

Current Activity

With an annual budget of $1 million, the organization can fund approximately 1,500 clinical
hours, helping hundreds to over a thousand patients. Scholarships are awarded to community
members committed to improving their oral health, ensuring that financial barriers do not
prevent essential treatment.

Teeth for Life Scholarships is an innovative, community-driven solution to a growing problem,
creating lasting change for individuals and their access to dental health care.

Teeth for Life Scholarships is a tribute to three generations of individuals committed to dental
health, philanthropy, and community service.

The Legacy of Dr. Guilherme Rody Soares

Dr. Soares, a Brazilian prosthodontist, overcame childhood loss and pursued dentistry, later
becoming Chair of Prosthodontics at Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. He restored the
smiles of countless patients and believed that lifelong dental health was crucial for overall well-
being.
His passion for dentistry influenced his daughter, Dr. Alexandra Jaquery, who followed in his
footsteps, performing surgeries as early as 19 years old and earning expertise in restorative
dentistry and pulp tissue engineering. Through Teeth for Life Scholarships, she continues her
father’s vision by expanding access to essential dental care.

Honoring John Jaquery’s Philanthropy

John Jaquery, Alexandra's father-in-law, experienced tooth loss at a young age due to financial
hardship. Despite this, he built a successful career while quietly supporting education and
healthcare initiatives. Near the end of his life, he wished he had teeth—a wish that now inspires
the mission of Teeth for Life Scholarships, helping others achieve a lifetime of oral health.

Building a Future of Wellness

John's son, Vini Jaquery, Alexandra's husband, has a background in psychological counseling
and non-profit leadership, previously advocating for Brazilian orphans' adoption and
rehabilitation. Together, Alexandra and Vini established Teeth for Life Scholarships, combining
their experience and education to meet the urgent oral health needs of the Pajaro Valley.

Their work continues the legacy of service, health, and hope, ensuring that financial barriers do
not prevent individuals from receiving life-changing dental care.