​A smile can light up a room, convey warmth, and build connections. However, untreated dental issues can turn that simple act into one filled with embarrassment and physical pain. Dr. Deb Fuller, national dental director for Cigna Healthcare, is working to change that for underserved populations in Rhode Island.

Dr. Fuller volunteers at the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy dental clinic, an annual two-day event that provides free preventive care and dental treatments – including fillings, extractions, partial dentures, and root canals – to over 600 adult patients without sufficient insurance or access to dental services.

“There are unmet needs right here in our own backyard,” Dr. Fuller said. “These are Rhode Island residents, our neighbors. And, for a variety of reasons, they do not receive dental care. Financial barriers, homelessness, and disabilities are just a few reasons why they don’t get the care they need. I’ve met so many people suffering with longstanding dental pain. Patients arrive the night before the event to line up for care, some of whom are elderly or have young children with them. It’s heartbreaking.”

Working to bridge the gap in dental care access

Except for a hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy clinic has served the community annually since 2011. While their efforts help hundreds of people each year, they unfortunately cannot accommodate everyone in need.

“Mission of Mercy clinics are wonderful, but they offer episodic care only once a year in Rhode Island,” Dr Fuller said. She noted that some other community clinics in the state also offer free or low-cost dental services, but patients may have to wait months or years for an appointment. This is part of a national issue regarding the inequity of access to ongoing preventive and comprehensive dental care, Dr. Fuller said.

Dr. Fuller noted that poor oral health is more common among those who are uninsured or have lower incomes, as well as among certain racial and ethnic groups. For example, untreated cavities were twice as likely to occur among working-age non-Hispanic Black adults compared to their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Additionally, those who live in rural communities, which make up two-thirds of the areas in the U.S. with a shortage of dental health professionals, are more likely to face oral health challenges.

Making a personal impact

The care provided by the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy dental clinic has significantly changed the lives of its patients. A grandmother, after receiving partial dentures, told Dr. Fuller: “I have never smiled in front of my grandchildren, and now I can.”

Another patient’s mother recounted how her son’s dental issues affected his mental health and social life. Thanks to the clinic, he received two crowns on his front teeth, transforming his confidence and outlook.

Advancements in dental technology have also improved the dental care provided to patients. In 2024, for example, the clinic began using 3D printing to create partial dentures.

Community collaboration drives success

Since its inception, the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy dental clinic has provided over $3.5M in free dental care services. The success of the event relies on a diverse team of supporters, including dental, medical, and pharmacy professionals, along with local restaurants that donate food for the meals and snacks offered to patients, community volunteers, support from organizations like the Brown University Community Health Institute and United Way, language interpreters, and state and local security to ensure the safety of all attendees.

These volunteers also include Dr. Fuller’s family members. Her husband, an endodontist, served as the endodontic team lead and assists in dental triage. Her son, also a dentist, and daughter, a nurse, began volunteering at the event in their youth by helping with administrative tasks and food preparation. As they matured, they took on roles in the clinical areas as patient escorts and dental assistants.

Dr. Fuller continues to be impressed by the sense of community that has developed among the volunteers and the patients. Volunteers return year after year, and patients express their gratitude for the care they receive. “Each clinic begins with lots of hugs as volunteers reconnect with one another,” she said.

The annual Rhode Island Mission of Mercy event is a testament to the profound impact that compassionate health care can have on a community. It not only provides essential dental care to those in need but also fosters a spirit of unity and support among all who are involved.

Events like these aim to enhance understanding, management, and prevention of oral diseases among underserved populations, which could lead to reduced dental and medical expenses and improved quality of life, Dr. Fuller said.

This article was created with the assistance of AI tools. It was reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Cigna Healthcare’s editorial team.