Homeless Shelter Dental Care

We learn a lot about why our adult patients are experiencing homelessness during their 90 minute dental appointments. Many of our female patients are running from an abuser, have chronic unemployment, drug abuse and are trying to start a new life. Our male patients have untreated mental illness, job loss, recent release from incarceration, or are veterans with PTSD and have experienced a major illness or accident that make it impossible to work.

There are more than 20 medical conditions that present themselves with an oral link. Our providers are trained to recognize signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, airway issues, oral cancer, HIV and Gerd so we can refer to our partner physicians for follow up care.   

Providing on-site care inside the homeless shelters increases access to care and removes barriers to care such as lack of transportation, financial limitations and the fear of approaching a traditional dental office for an initial visit after so many years without care. 

Our on-site dental care increases self esteem and creates motivation to seek housing and employment. Our care reduces unnecessary visits to the emergency room for tooth aches and eliminates how society judges people for having poor oral health and missing teeth. Our patients often tell us they feel a potential employer or landlord can see they have missing teeth and assume

"oh they must be poor or homeless".  

People experiencing homelessness need more than just a bed, food and clothing. 

 They want and need access to dental care to relieve pain, put an end to being judged, achieve overall health and gain self confidence for employment which leads to housing and stability.