A former refugee now living in Hamilton is pain free and has a dazzling smile thanks to support from Braemar Charitable Trust.

Husein Omar, 46, arrived in Hamilton in early 2025 with his wife and four children after 19 years as a refugee in South Africa, having been forced to leave Somalia.

His access to dental care had been very limited over that time, and his teeth, already decaying, became so bad he was left with only small, black stumps. As a refugee, having all his teeth extracted and getting dentures was well beyond his financial means.

This left Husein with significant, intermittent pain; he couldn’t tolerate cold drinks or food, and the pain became worse when chewing food and in cold weather. He would also never smile in social situations as he was so self-conscious about the state of his teeth.

The past few months have turned all this around for Husein, who has been looked after by Tui Dental owner Dr Fiona Koshy and dentist Dr Fiona Dong. Husein has had all his teeth removed and has had upper and lower dentures fitted. During the process he said he was most looking forward to being pain-free, eating foods he enjoyed, and treating people to his new smile.

Braemar Charitable Trust, using some funding from the Glenice and John Gallagher Foundation, partnered with Tui Dental in Hamilton, to provide the dental treatment and dentures.

The Trust’s manager, Paula Baker, says this solution would have normally cost more than $8000. “Tui Dental have been very generous, donating the cost of the initial consult, the necessary X-rays, and under our partnership with them, they have provided the treatment at a discount. We - and Husein - are very grateful for their help and we are so pleased to have them supporting Braemar Charitable Trust.” 

Ms Baker says Tui Dental has supported Braemar Charitable Trust’s work for some time, including as one of the dentists who are providing dental treatment for women at refuges around the Waikato region and volunteering in mobile dental clinics at the Braemar community surgery days. “They are a great example of local health providers giving their time and energy for the betterment of our communities. We are very appreciative of their support."

Husein says he’s very grateful to the Trust for accepting his application for help and to Tui Dental for providing his new teeth. Before the dental treatment and dentures being fitted, eating meat was only possible if it was pureed, chewing was painful, and he often felt embarrassed speaking in public. 

Now Husein has a huge smile and says: “I feel very, very good.” He was keen to eat a wide variety of foods and put on some weight.

His wife, Halimo, says her husband is happier – and younger looking! Both expressed heartfelt thanks to Braemar Charitable Trust, Tui Dental, Husein’s HMS Trust social worker and the refugee health nurse for their help. With his new smile and reclaimed confidence, Husein will no longer be embarrassed about going to job interviews and has more confidence to get a job to support his family.

Braemar Charitable Trust, which owns Braemar Hospital, has a vision to advance healthcare equity and access and improve health outcomes in our community.

People wishing to support Braemar Charitable Trust’s work can donate via an online donations portal. Donors can pay for a specific surgical procedure as part of the Trust’s Community Surgery Programme, or make donations towards scholarships, research or a general fund.