WHO DO WE TREAT?

YORK COUNTY PARTNERS IN FREE DENTISTRY

10 Year and Counting

Ten years ago, we began on an unknown journey. Final destination was unclear. We are now entering our 5th year of providing free, expanded, comprehensive Dental care to the underserved, marginalized, and forgotten adults (ages 18 to 64 years) in the county of York in South Carolina.  We could not have imagined the success we are now seeing! Recognizing, that there are over 39,000 plus adults in our community with no access to Dental services, our team of professionals were motivated and driven to find a way to make this clinic happen. 

In 2007, we began partnering with York County Free Clinic (YCFC), a non-profit organization serving specifically the healthcare needs of this community. Their mission was to serve the health and wellness needs of medically uninsured, low income residents of York County by means of a free medical clinic. The Director of the clinic approached us to initially help with acute and emergency needs of their patients. This care was provided for the first several years in the private practice office of one of our committee members. 

In 2012, we were approached by the Board and Executive Director to consider developing a clinic on site that could do more. We decided to venture out to find a way to provide comprehensive care dentistry in addition to acute care. After 2 years of researching several options and avenues, Ada Jenkins Ministry was discovered. They are a non-profit healthcare ministry with a mission to improve the quality of life for the residents of their communities through integrated delivery of health, education, and human services.

With these two organizations, Ada Jenkins and YCFC, combining efforts (2014) the dental arm of York County Free Clinic was expanded with a means to provide comprehensive Dental care to our patients. YCFC fully funded the Dental Program. In addition to exams, x-rays, screenings, restorative fillings, extractions, periodontal scaling and root planning, routine prophylaxis or cleanings and fluoride treatment, through the tremendous generosity of Sherer Dental Lab in Rock Hill, we also provide free complete and partial dentures to our patients as they complete the program. Another tremendous service provided is by The Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery who take care of surgical extractions, alveloplastys, tori removal for proper denture placement at no cost. Dr. Matthews’ office, Carolina Periodontics and Endodontics, provide root canals at a greatly discounted rates for our patients. Dr. Peeples’ office provides the crowns needed also at greatly discounted rates. Both offices provide payment plans on the discounted rates as necessary. Together we are doing our part to solve the needs of our community.