The Dentist on Wheels Pittsburg Free Dental Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul opened in September 2021 – offering free dental care for Contra Costa residents without dental insurance. A collaboration between Dentists on Wheels (DOW) and St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County (SVdP), the free dental clinic addresses the problem of dental pain and suffering experienced by residents in Contra Costa County who have no dental insurance. The 3-chair free dental clinic treats patients and helps people in need in the county to resolve their dental pain. All the dental equipment and furnishings have been donated to the free clinic. Shab Farzaneh, founder of Dentists on Wheels saw a community need and was moved to provide a solution.

The clinic, staffed by volunteer dentists, is able to treat most patients’ needs, from screenings, cleanings and check-ups to fillings, crowns, extractions and dentures. For many patients, there is a direct link between poverty and a lack of dental insurance, and receiving dental care would normally be out of reach for low-income residents. Tooth pain and other dental issues can cause a massive drop in quality of life for those suffering. A broadening problem in low-income communities is the usage of extraction to solve tooth pain, as it is an inexpensive means of addressing the pain. This can create many long-term issues that can profoundly impact the patient’s quality of life. By providing free, accessible preventative care and restorative procedures, the free dental clinic will lessen the number of extractions happening in Contra Costa County and keep the county smiling.

About Dentists on Wheels

DOW was founded to address the growing problem of dental issues in the impoverished community in and around Contra Costa and Alameda Counties. DOW provides dental hygienists, dental assistants, dentists, dental specialists, and various stakeholders with the opportunity to assist in the mission of providing accessible dental care to underserved communities. DOW recognizes that there are multiple barriers that can exist preventing a patient from seeking dental care. DOW is committed to breaking down barriers for patients without financial means, with dental phobias or religious concerns such that the population currently defined as vulnerable and underserved can find quality dental services at DOW.

About St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County

St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County has provided safety-net services in the county for over 57 years, service 180,000 people annually and distributing over $1M of direct financial assistance and over $1.7M of in-kind aid. More than 750 SVdP volunteers and a small staff lead operations in Contra Costa including the SVdP Family Resource Center in Pittsburg, 29 branches, and 3 Thrift Stores. All donations to and services provided by St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County remain in Contra Costa to benefit individuals and families in need locally. One of the largest charitable organizations in the world, St. Vincent de Paul is an international, nonprofit, Catholic lay organization of more than 900,000 men and women who voluntarily join together to grow spiritually by offering person-to-person service to the needy and suffering in 155 countries on five continents.

DOW 2021 Annual Report

To learn more, give us a call at (925)- 439- 5060 or send an email to info@svdp-cc.org

To fill out the patient application(mandatory) please visit https://dentistsonwheels.org/patient-application

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