Every year, the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation provides grants to various organizations; including Federally Qualified Health Centers, Free Clinics, Hybrid Clinics and other nonprofits serving Virginians. These grants support projects and programs that focus on preventive care, education, access to dental services and advocacy efforts to improve oral health for individuals of all ages.
2024 was a year filled with incredible stories of impact as our grantees worked tirelessly to bring much-needed dental care to communities across Virginia. Thanks to their hard work and dedication, our funding turned into healthier smiles and happier people for those who needed it most. From big cities to small rural communities, these organizations broke down barriers to care, restoring confidence and improving health for so many. As 2024 comes to a close, we’re excited to share the successes of our grantees and highlight some of their victories. As you read these stories, you’ll see just how far-reaching the power of a healthy smile can be.
Free Clinic of Powhatan, Healing Hands Health Center and Kuumba Community Health and Wellness Center were successful in their efforts to recruit providers to their clinics.
Dr. Ruehrwein, Free Clinic of Powhatan (FCP)
In September, Dr. Ruehrwein met a 60-year-old woman who had never seen a dentist in her life. Her two front teeth needed immediate treatment due to severe rotting and decay. Dr. Ruehrwein carefully treated her cavities and used composite to rebuild her front teeth, giving her a smile she never thought possible.
The impact of that visit didn’t stop at dental care. After seeing her new smile, she made a decision to quit smoking. She immediately met with the on-site HeartCorps smoking cessation specialist, who helped her take the first steps toward better health.
This story highlights the life-changing power of accessible dental care. Just a year ago, FCP couldn’t accept new patients due to a backlog that overwhelmed their available hours. But with the support of the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation, they were able to expand their hours and reopen their doors to patients in need.
By supporting programs like this, FCP is helping individuals regain their confidence, take charge of their overall health and rediscover hope for a brighter, healthier future.
Dr. D. Cutshaw, Healing Hands Health
Santa’s Smile Gets a Tune-Up at Healing Hands
Even Santa knows the importance of a healthy smile. He recently paid a special visit to Healing Hands, where Dr. Cutshaw made sure his teeth were in perfect shape for all those cookies and milk on Christmas Eve.
Healing Hands takes pride in caring for everyone, even the busiest and jolliest visitors. Want to know how Santa’s check-up went? Click here for the full story.
Dr. Al Obaidi, New Horizons Healthcare
At New Horizons Healthcare, Dr. Joanna Al Obaidi and her team recently had the opportunity to transform the life of a 7-year-old patient. The child, identified during a routine dental screening at a local elementary school, was experiencing significant pain from an abscessed and swollen tooth. Thanks to the quick action of the school nurse, who coordinated with the child’s parent and provided transportation, the young patient was seen at the clinic within just five days.
Over the course of two months, the child received comprehensive dental care, including a cleaning, fluoride treatment, sealants, five fillings, two stainless steel crowns, and an extraction. Initially anxious and unfamiliar with dental visits, the child gradually acclimated to the treatment process with the help of Dr. Al Obaidi’s compassionate approach and the use of nitrous oxide to ease his anxiety.
Today, the child’s treatment is complete, and a recall appointment has been scheduled to ensure ongoing care. This partnership between New Horizons Healthcare and the local school district highlights the importance of community-based initiatives in reaching children who might otherwise go without essential care. By addressing his dental issues early, the team has not only relieved his immediate pain but also laid the foundation for a healthier future, with the hope that his permanent teeth will erupt cavity-free, thanks to improved hygiene and preventative treatments.
Partnership with VCU Students Brings Hope to Bradley Free Clinic Patients
Bradley Free Clinic continues to transform lives in Roanoke by providing critical dental care while fostering the next generation of dental professionals. Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation funding helps provide stipends, supplies, housing, and meals for VCU School of Dentistry students, as well as support for a part-time dental provider. These efforts have brought care to patients like Soma and Roberto, whose stories illustrate the profound impact of the clinic’s work.
Soma Rahmani, a refugee from Afghanistan, came to Bradley Free Clinic suffering from severe tooth pain. Treated by a VCU dental hygiene student, she not only found relief but also discovered a passion for dentistry. Today, Soma is pursuing her dream of becoming a dental hygienist while working as a dental assistant.
For Roberto, who endured years of dental neglect and depression, Bradley’s evening extraction clinic offered much-needed care and a fresh start. Treated with kindness and skill by a VCU dental student, Roberto left pain-free and optimistic about continuing his dental journey.
These stories highlight the invaluable partnership between Bradley Free Clinic and VCU students—restoring health, building confidence and empowering lives.
Augusta Regional Dental Clinic Expands Capacity and Inclusivity
Augusta Regional Dental Clinic (ARDC) has completed a major expansion, adding two fully equipped dental operatories to their facility. This enhancement will allow the clinic to increase its capacity by 35%, enabling them to offer 8,000 additional dental appointments by the end of 2024. These renovations are not only helping ARDC serve more patients but are also creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for all.
The newly expanded clinic now features a wheelchair-friendly operatory and spaces designed to accommodate patients with special health care needs, reducing stress and ensuring a more comfortable experience for everyone. By adopting behavior modification techniques and thoughtful design elements, ARDC is setting a new standard for inclusive care. As Polly Raible of the Delta Dental Foundation of Virginia explains, “What they found — and this is really exciting — is that a lot of the techniques they are using work not just for people with special health care needs but for all of their patients.”
ARDC has also completed the Centers for Inclusive Dentistry certification, becoming one of the first clinics to complete this program. This certification recognizes their leadership in providing accessible care to individuals with disabilities and other special health care needs. Through specialized training at NYU Dentistry’s Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities and ongoing implementation of innovative techniques, ARDC has transformed its care model to better serve all patients.
ARDC’s expansion reflects its commitment to addressing the affordability gap in dental care and creating a welcoming space for all patients. As Sophie Parson, executive director of ARDC, notes, “We’re trying to bring relief to families as soon as we can and make sure they get all the care here in our dental home.”
Cutting-Edge Dental Solutions at Piedmont Regional Dental Clinic
Piedmont Regional Dental Clinic (PRDC) has introduced cutting-edge digital dentistry technology to better serve their patients. A new SprintRay 3D printer and Trios 5 Wireless Digital Scanner now allow PRDC to create crowns and personalized nightguards in-house, providing affordable, same-day treatment options.
Previously, patients were referred to other practices for these services, often facing challenges like travel, cost, and time away from work. With this innovative equipment, PRDC can prepare, produce, and place crowns or nightguards in a single appointment, saving patients time and money.
“Our dental team is incredibly excited to use this advanced technology,” said Shari Landry, president of the Culpeper Wellness Foundation, the organization that runs the clinic. “It’s a complete game-changer for our patients, many of whom can’t afford care elsewhere or struggle to find providers who accept their insurance.”
PRDC, which served over 4,000 patients in 2023—most from households at or below 250% of the federal poverty level—continues to expand its mission of providing affordable, high-quality dental care to children and adults. This new capability is another step forward in improving access to essential oral health services.
Hampton Ecumenical Lodging and Provisions
3D printing isn’t a new technology. The first 3D printers originated in the 1980s, and experts started looking at dental applications as early as the ’90s, but it was the advent of intraoral scanners in the early 2000s that accelerated the growth of the 3D printing market in dental laboratories and clinics. In the past two years, the use of 3D technology to produce same-day crowns, dentures and nightguards has boosted access to these common dental procedures for low-income patients, and much of that uptick in Virginia can be attributed to HELP, Inc. “We started with a single printer and have been developing our 3D printing program for about two years now,” said Matthew Stearn, HELP, Inc. executive director. HELP is headquartered in Hampton, Virginia, and it provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, a winter shelter program, food, financial assistance and medical and dental care to those in need.
Stearn and his team, now operating multiple 3D printers, not only produce crowns and dentures for patients at their Tidewater clinic, but they also offer their 3D printing services to safety-net clinics throughout Virginia. HELP, Inc. anticipates saving Virginia patients more than $200,000 by year-end. “Our grant from the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation allowed us to purchase four additional intraoral scanners, place those throughout the state and train teams on how to collect the information we need to take care of their patients. We see the technology as an extension of dentistry for anybody that needs it,” said Stearn.
Empowering Healthy Smiles at the Rescue Mission of Roanoke
The Rescue Mission of Roanoke has been a lifeline for underserved individuals in the Roanoke Valley since 1948, providing shelter, meals, and critical support services 365 days a year. In 2010, the Mission expanded its impact with the G. Wayne Fralin Free Clinic, offering medical, behavioral, vision, and dental care to those at risk of homelessness or transitioning into permanent housing.
The Rescue Mission has continued its life-changing work by supporting dental clinic salaries, including a part-time dentist and dental assistant, and funding essential supplies. This investment will help sustain the clinic’s 18% growth in visits and ensure that patients receive the holistic care they need to regain their health and stability.
One standout story from the clinic is that of Carson Swoope McAllister, a dedicated dental hygienist whose passion for oral health was sparked during her own childhood experience with braces. Inspired by the intricate work of orthodontics, Carson pursued her dream by earning her degree from Virginia Western Community College. Her first position at the Fralin Free Clinic solidified her commitment to serving underserved populations. For a year and a half, she conducted screenings, X-rays, and assessments for patients who had gone years without dental care, often requiring extensive, multi-step treatment plans.
Carson’s dedication didn’t stop there. After briefly working out of state, she returned to Virginia and now drives weekly to the Fralin Free Clinic from Lexington, balancing a full-time job while continuing her mission to provide care to those in need. Her warm, empathetic approach makes her a trusted ally for patients, many of whom face barriers beyond oral health, including financial and emotional struggles.
Carson’s journey is a testament to the profound impact of compassionate care. Through her work, she not only restores smiles but also inspires confidence and hope in her patients, embodying the Rescue Mission’s holistic approach to health and healing.
As the Rescue Mission continues to expand its reach and impact, we are proud to support their transformative efforts and honor individuals like Carson, who make a lasting difference in their communities.
Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP) of the Roanoke Valley
In December, CHIP’s Bilingual Care Coordinator, Hector Luna-Quetell, assisted more than a dozen clients during a dedicated CHIP Clinic Day for underserved families in Roanoke. Thanks to a grant from the DDVA Foundation, CHIP Clinic Days are set to expand in 2025, with a focus on early intervention through monthly bilingual dental clinics. These clinics are held in partnership with New Horizons Healthcare (NHH) for CHIP-enrolled children and the Bradley Free Clinic (BFC) for adult caretakers of CHIP children.
Starting in 2025, CHIP will enhance its support for pregnant mothers by providing comprehensive case management that includes tailored oral health education and emphasizing participation in BFC Clinic Days. CHIP’s team plays a critical role in scheduling appointments, arranging transportation, and coordinating with home visiting staff to ensure monthly clinic days run smoothly. Collaborating closely with the staff at both NHH and BFC, CHIP ensures that clinic slots are filled exclusively for their clients.
One recent success story highlights the impact of these efforts. Hector assisted a CHIP father and caretaker who had gone more than four years without dental care due to barriers in cost and access. Hector helped him complete the necessary paperwork, coordinated his appointment, and provided interpretation services throughout the visit to ensure clear communication with the dentist.
The father shared his experience:
“I received a complete examination, multiple X-rays, and they recommended a deep cleaning and a filling for one tooth. Delta Dental, CHIP, and Bradley Free Clinic deserve my thanks—it has made a huge difference, as I’ve been trying to see a dentist for years. Both my wife and I are very grateful to Hector. He helped us with everything: filling out the application, coordinating the dental appointment, and interpreting so we could fully understand what the dentist explained to us.”
Through partnerships, transportation support, and dedicated bilingual care coordination, CHIP Clinic Days are breaking down barriers to dental care and improving the overall well-being of families in need.
Arlington Free Clinic (AFC) Doubled Their Dental Services
In 2021, only 28% of AFC’s medical patients accessed dental care, and of those, just 30% completed their treatment plans. This highlighted a clear need for better integration between medical and dental services, prompting AFC to launch a multi-year initiative aimed at reducing barriers to care and improving patient outcomes.
By 2023, their efforts had paid off: the number of medical patients engaging with dental services nearly doubled, and treatment plan completion rates saw a substantial increase. This progress reflects AFC’s commitment to delivering more comprehensive, patient-centered care.
As they look to the future, AFC is focused on expanding these gains. A newly acquired intraoral scanner will enhance diagnostic precision and streamline care, while partnerships with mission-aligned dental labs will help reduce costs for patients. Additionally, AFC is adopting sustainable fee models and strengthening resources to meet growing demand. With these advancements, AFC is poised to further integrate oral health into its holistic healthcare model, ensuring more patients have access to the quality dental care they need to thrive.
The stories of our 2023 grantees really show the incredible difference dental care can make—not just in health, but in dignity and quality of life. Thanks to their hard work, dedication, and generosity, we’ve seen how restoring one smile can truly uplift a life. We are so grateful for all they do to make dental care accessible to everyone. Looking ahead, we’re excited to keep building on this momentum to create a brighter, healthier future for all Virginians.
