Deserving Dental, a team of Direct Access Registered Dental Hygienists bring free-of-charge dental cleanings, periodontal therapy, digital x-rays, exams, oral cancer screenings, glass ionomer fillings and the SDF drill- free cavity obliteration technique to homeless shelters, nursing homes, residential substance abuse treatment facilities, and community agencies across Denver and beyond. We set up makeshift offices at each site with portable dental equipment. We serve a diverse array of at-risk individuals including seniors, children, and families, many of whom are homeless. Along with sister organization Dental At Your Door, Deserving Dental is currently the only dental hygiene provider allowed inside 30+ locations citywide. It is not uncommon for our patients to cry tears of relief after getting their teeth cleaned...having a healthy smile for the first time in years can feel overwhelming.
It also increases employment opportunities. Many patients are excited about smiling big for job interviews and housing applications. We had one man shave off his overgrown beard and mustache after our dental hygiene session. He said he didn’t need to hide his teeth behind that long beard anymore. He didn’t even look like the same person, and it wasn’t just the beard—you could see the confidence just beaming in his smile and eyes.
To enhance oral health equity by providing compassionate and comprehensive dental care to underserved and under-resourced communities, fostering smiles of hope, dignity, and confidence for all.
Founder Jennifer Geiselhofer is a Registered Dental Hygienist with a passion for accessible dental care. Jen had a defining moment in her career when she was asked to treat a patient's husband, who was bedridden with Alzheimer's disease. This experience eventually led Jen to launch a for-profit company in 2015 that served people living in temporary housing shelters and long-term care facilities with mobility challenges. However, Jen soon realized that many people did not qualify for state assistance leaving them unable to access care. She launched Deserving Dental in 2019 as a way to eliminate barriers to care making oral healthcare accessible for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.
Since 2019, Deserving Dental has traveled across Colorado with the purpose of bringing equitable oral healthcare to individuals living in homeless shelters and other community agencies. By setting up pop-up clinics inside these locations, Deserving Dental eliminates common barriers to services such as transportation and mobility issues.
Poor dental care is linked to many negative physical outcomes including heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Poor oral health is a barrier to employment and housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. Tooth pain is the #1 reason why children miss days of school. Mouth problems can start as early as infancy, due to baby bottle tooth decay and lack of basic dental check-ups.
Deserving Dental seeks to improve health outcomes (and brighten smiles!) by offering portable dental clinics that are run by loving, trauma-informed staff.
Organization name
Deserving Dental Org
2019
Tax id (EIN)
84-2369341
Category
Health Care, Housing & Shelter, Youth Development
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
2205 W 136TH AVE STE 106 # 159Denver, CO, US
Sterling, CO, US, 80751
Broomfield, CO, US
Boulder, CO, US
Wellington, CO, US, 80549