Your gifts to Community Dental Care help people who find themselves in tough financial and emergency situations.
Thank you for remembering Community Dental Care with your gift to help people smile again. Please note pictures and names have been changed to protect the identity of our patients. Community Dental Care mini-grants are available on a case-by-case basis to assist patients in need who meet eligibility criteria, depending on funds available and at the clinic’s discretion.
Olivia’s Story
Olivia came in to our Rochester clinic as an emergency visit with pain on the upper right side of her mouth. When she arrived with her mom, you could see her entire right cheek was swollen and enlarged. As Olivia sat in the dental chair, her mom shared that Olivia would often wake up in the middle of the night complaining of pain and a toothache—and that she wasn’t eating as much because of the pain. She confessed Olivia had been complaining of pain for about a month, but she didn’t know where to go for care. Upon initial evaluation, our dentist could see large cavities on two teeth which would require urgent treatment. Olivia’s mom is a single parent with limited financial means and no insurance. Because generous donors like you give to our Care Grant Fund, we were able to provide treatment for Olivia’s cavities at no cost to her mother. At the end of her appointment, Olivia’s mother had a huge smile on her face and was so grateful for the care they received. She exclaimed, “Thank you so much for helping us!”
Whether it is a monthly, yearly, or a one-time gift, our donors make a difference for children like Olivia.
Noah’s Story
Community Dental Care’s School-Based Sealant Program provides preventive dental services and referral assistance to diverse, low-income students at 15 elementary schools in the Twin Cities, serving children who may not otherwise have access to dental care. We met Noah, who held back tears in his eyes as he anxiously made his way to the bright red, mobile dental chair. Kate, our kind and compassionate hygienist, carefully prepared Noah for his visit. She showed him the silly straw used to suck up saliva, the tooth counter that does a little tap dance on teeth, and the air-water sprayer that tickles your gums. Still, Noah was apprehensive and we were unable to complete a screening. With attention and care, Kate applied fluoride varnish and explained to Noah that he could return whenever he felt ready.
Noah returned the following day! He arrived confident and ready. As Noah opened his mouth widely with a big “ahh,” Kate could see large cavities on his molars. Our team called Noah’s parents and scheduled an appointment at our clinic. Noah’s experience at school helped alleviate his fears of the dentist. By using positive reinforcement and creating a fun and friendly atmosphere, the sealant program provides a chance for children to have a non-intimidating experience with dental professionals. Noah received treatment for his cavities and is now on the path to good oral health!
Thank you to the generous funders who make this program possible-- Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, Park Dental Foundation and Roseville Area Community Foundation.
Grayson’s Story
Grayson and his family drive over forty minutes to access dental care at our clinic. During his visit, our dentist found that Grayson had some cavities and gave him a treatment plan, as well as a referral to our Program to Improve Community Oral Health (PICOH) to help him learn how to prevent cavities.
Grayson and his family were able to meet with David, our PICOH Health Educator immediately following his dentist appointment. Grayson, eager and curious, carefully brushed the green alligator’s teeth as they talked about brushing habits at home, while David helped the family plan how to help Grayson brush effectively twice daily, floss and manage his diet to prevent cavities. Grayson left the dental clinic with a big smile underneath his mask—along with a goal sheet, toothbrush, toothpaste and floss. He now has practical tools to establish healthy habits at home. In three months, David will call Grayson’s mom to check on his progress and help troubleshoot any challenges. Good oral health is achievable with the right tools and encouragement.
Donations from generous donors like you allow us to meet the growing needs of the community. Your charitable contributions help us provide comprehensive dental care for children like Grayson.
Monica’s Story
Monica, a Hmong-American from East Saint Paul, works two jobs and does not have dental insurance. Monica felt a sharp pain in her tooth that kept her awake for several nights. She avoided visiting the dentist because she worried about the cost. Monica knew she couldn’t delay seeing the dentist any longer as the constant ache and throbbing impacted her ability to work, eat, and sleep. Monica received compassionate dental treatment needed to relieve her pain and worked with our dental team to address the concerns of her oral health. “Dr. Billington was understanding and caring and explained every step of the process,” Monica shared. “He didn’t make me feel bad about my teeth, but he helped me understand just how important treatment would be for getting me on track to be healthy.” $1.5 million is what it takes to say “YES!” to patients like Monica.
Valentina’s Story
We first met Valentina met at one of our school-based sealant events. Our staff could see that Valentina had extensive, painful dental disease and called her mother to let her know. Valentina’s mom doesn’t speak English, but fortunately, one of our Spanish speaking staff members was able to explain the urgency of treatment for her daughter’s teeth. We were able to get an appointment for Valentina at our clinic within days. During her appointment, our scheduler interpreted for Valentina and her mother, since she was uninsured and couldn’t get an interpreter. Valentina’s mother was worried about how she would pay for treatment. With a gift from a generous donor, we were able to cover the cost of treatment for Valentina with a mini-grant of $600. We believe everyone deserves a healthy smile. Our supporters help individuals like Valentina get the treatment they need to live a healthy, happy life.
Eh La’s Story
Meet 6-year-old Eh La. When he walked in with his mother, he was visibly in pain. He wasn’t sleeping and missed two days of school. Eh La put on a brave face as he slowly made his way into the chair and stared at our dentist with tears in his eyes. Eh La had deep cavities that resulted in a large abscess. An abscess, left untreated, can spread infection throughout a child’s entire body. Our dentist explained to Eh La’s mother the condition of her son’s tooth and showed her the cause of Eh La’s restless nights in pain. Eh La’s mother was worried she couldn't pay for Eh La's treatment. Through a gift from a generous donor, we were able to provide treatment at no cost to the family. Now, he has a healthy mouth and can return to school to learn.
Amina’s Story
We met 5-year-old Amina at our Rochester clinic. When she walked in she was visibly in pain. We learned she had been crying constantly because of her toothache. Amina wasn’t sleeping and refused to eat because it hurt too much. Leslie, our hygienist, was gentle and patient and did her best to comfort Amina while looking in her mouth. As Amina cried loudly, Leslie could see a cracked tooth and dark brown decay. Dr. Jessica could see Amina had a serious abscess. An abscess, left untreated, can spread infection throughout a child’s entire body. Amina was treated that day because of the seriousness of her infection. Thanks to a gift from a generous donor - Charity Care dollars were used for Amina. $263 covered the cost of the emergency care-grant. $1.5 million is what it takes to say yes to families like Amina’s every year. The generosity of our donors makes this possible.
Cynthia’s Story
We met Cynthia during one of our community outreach programs. Cynthia is a sweet, shy Hmong child with long, beautiful black hair. She was in more pain than you and I can imagine due to her deep untreated cavities. Cynthia’s mom knew she had cavities but she had been told that it would cost $4,000 to fix them and the family simply could not afford the care. When our Community Dental Care hygienist explained that untreated cavities can lead to life threatening infections, Cynthia’s mom was worried. Our hygienist saw that Cynthia’s teeth were simply shells. If you can imagine the worst pothole you’ve ever seen—that was the condition of four of Cynthia’s teeth. Our staff helped Cynthia and her mom make an appointment at our clinic the very next day. Cynthia came in and got the same compassionate care that all patients at our clinics receive. Thanks to a gift from a generous donor, Cynthia’s family received a care-grant so her cavities could be treated at no cost to her family. Financial support from the community is what helps Community Dental Care meet this need. Whether it is a monthly, yearly, or a one-time gift, our donors make a difference for children like Cynthia.