Sonja Lauren Foundation

"Sonja's Story"

About the author of "The Covered Smile" and Founder of the Sonja Lauren Foundation

Sonja Lauren Since the release ofs"The Covered Smile" in 2003, Ms. Lauren has become a volunteer for Mission of Mercy and has taken part in many efforts to help overhaul oral health . Ms. Lauren lives in Richmond VA and is currently involved in helping her home state of WV, and many other states change oral health views and increase dental availability. Ms. Lauren and her daughter Angel- who is an Oral Surgeon Assistant enjoy and volunteer for Virginia's Mission of Mercy, and Give Kids a Smile Day. After many cries for help from her fans, and the encouragement of Mr. John Randall, Sonja decided to pursue the creation of the Sonja Lauren Foundation Inc. as a way to help preventing what happened to her from happening to others. emotional neglect that denied her the simple pleasures of being able to eat, speak and smile with confidence.

Sonja Lauren is the author ofs"The Covered Smile," and a captivating speaker who shares her true story of childhood abuse, neglect, recovery, forgiveness and triumph. Ms. Lauren began wearing dentures at the tender age of 13, due to severe dental neglect, after her dentists wrote "Situation-Hopeless" on her dental records and proceeded to extract all of her teeth as a child. Ms. Lauren currently has only 20% of her chewing ability and has endured many painful oral surgeries throughout her life. Her lectures are a personal testimony to the importance of good oral health and the relationship between this and living a healthy life.

After the birth of her daughter Sonja realized that she must not repeat the patterns of ignorance and neglect that plagued her childhood. She had to break the cycle - for there is no greater love or lesson in life than being a mother to a precious child.

Sonja Lauren, age 13 years, 2 months: a before picture taken the day she began wearing dentures.

"The Covered Smile" is Sonja Lauren's own true story of abuse, neglect, recovery, forgiveness and triumph.

Severe dental problems that went untreated for years condemned Sonja to a hellish nightmare of loneliness, pain, denial and suffering that no child should ever be forced to endure. She suffered years of physical and emotional neglect that denied her the simple pleasures of being able to eat, speak and smile with confidence.

Even though she was surrounded by darkness, and doctors had marked her case "situation hopeless" something greater than the pain kept Sonja alive each day. She never wavered from her undying faith that one day she would be surrounded by "Earth Angels" rather than the pain, suffering and loneliness she had known as a child.

"The Covered Smile" vividly explains the long-term effects of severe child abuse and neglect and proves that these victims are worthy of attention and assistance rather than a life sentence of suffering in silence and shame. Perhaps most importantly Sonja's experiences teach us about the long process of recovery, healing and forgiveness that is possible for victims of abuse and neglect .

Sonja's Childhood X-ray and Comments from Dr. Lynn D. Mouden DDS, MPH

A portion of Sonja's dental records from 11/26/75, before her teeth were extracted.
Highlighted area reads: "Dr._____ said that situation hopeless - (agree)."

"Sonja's dental condition was serious, with many decayed, broken and infected teeth. While many cases are challenging, I would hope that no dentist ever again thinks that a 12 year-old child's dental condition is hopeless."

- Dr. Lynn Mouden DDS, MPH

You may review Sonja's catastrophic dental history and childhood dental records by viewing her website at: www.thecoveredsmile.com

Sonja Lauren's dedication to the foundation is serious, strong and passionate, she truly desires to prevent others from suffering as she has and often still does due to the seriousness of loosing all her adult teeth as a child. Please consider supporting Sonja and her mission by donating your time , talents or financial gifts. A Smile is priceless and every single dime donated will be appreciated!