Dental Grant Expands Lifesaving Care for Those Experiencing Homelessness in San Diego
A $150,000 grant to Father Joe’s Villages is bringing essential dental care and renewed hope to hundreds experiencing homelessness. The clinic’s expanded services will restore not only teeth, but confidence and opportunity.
For individuals experiencing homelessness, access to dental care is more than a luxury, it’s often the gateway to health, dignity, and a second chance. In San Diego, Father Joe’s Villages has long recognized this critical need. Since 1987, the organization has offered comprehensive dental services through its Village Health Center, serving thousands each year. But with homelessness on the rise and oral health needs increasing, demand has outpaced resources.
Now, thanks to a $150,000 grant from the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, Father Joe’s is expanding its reach. The funding will allow the clinic to provide 203 free denture-related appointments, representing a 27% increase in annual visits, and help at least 52 new patients receive full or partial dentures. That’s a 30% boost from their original goal.
The clinic expects 145 additional individuals to access dental services in the coming year, ensuring that 25% of the 4,000 patients seen annually will benefit from at least one dental visit. Services include prophylaxes, fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions, and emergency care, all provided with compassion and urgency. Click here to read more.
