Meet the 2025 Domestic Access to Care Grant Awardees

Through the Domestic Access to Care program, the Foundation for Endodontics and Specialized Dental Partners deliver essential funding that expands access to tooth-saving endodontic treatment for our nation’s most vulnerable populations. The 2025 grant recipients will provide care to hundreds of low-income, uninsured, and unhoused individuals who have few or no other treatment options. In addition to addressing urgent oral health needs, the program helps shift perceptions in underserved communities where extraction is too often seen as the only solution.

Maryland
The Smith Island Dental Clinic was established over thirty years ago to assist the residents of the three Smith Island communities in receiving much needed dental care. In the 2010 census, the median annual income for a family was $29,735. The clinic is staffed entirely by volunteers and has been outfitted mostly with donated and/or refurbished equipment. Two volunteer dentists reside in the facility during their two-day missions on Smith Island each month from March to November.

The $25,065 grant will help 5 endodontists to treat 180 low-income, aging, and homebound individuals, and will be overseen by Dr. Gael Delany.

Texas
The faculty at UTHSCSA have established a partnership with the San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic (SACDC) for an annual day of charitable endodontic service. SACDC provides affordable, accessible dental care to underserved and homeless adults living at or below 150% of the federal poverty line, with >50% of the patient cohort served identifying as unhoused.

The $8,575 grant will enable endodontics residents, advanced general dentistry residents, dental students, and hygiene students all work together to treat 40 low-income adults in one day. The project has a proven record of success and is overseen by Dr. Nikita Ruparel.

Washington
The Seattle/King County Clinic offers free medical, vision, and dental care to underserved populations throughout the Pacific Northwest. This comprehensive four-day event provides essential dental services to hundreds of individuals who face financial barriers to care. A key component of the clinic is its endodontic services, which address one of the most critical gaps in dental care for low-income communities.

The $7,524 grant will allow the clinic to increase its annual treatment capacity by 25-30 percent, providing specialty care to 100 vulnerable patients. The project is overseen by Dr. Lindsey Yap.