Closing the gap in oral health care

Healthy teeth and gums do more than support a confident smile — they’re a key part of overall well-being. But for many people, access to oral health care is out of reach: 40 percent of insured adults in the U.S. do not receive regular dental care, according to the Patient Advocate Foundation.

Cost is a barrier to many, while others — particularly people with Medicaid — may not be aware their coverage includes dental benefits or may struggle to find dental providers who accept their insurance.

MultiCare’s Dental Outreach Program works to close these gaps by providing emergency and preventive dental services, helping families establish dental “homes” and connecting people to other health-related resources.

“People come to us with dental issues that have gone on for years — issues that have made it hard for them to eat or function,” says Chelsey Lindahl, RDN, health promotion and wellness manager at the MultiCare Center for Health Equity and Wellness. “When we’re able to get them the care they need, we can help ease some of their burden. It’s pretty incredible to witness the impact of this program.”

The impact of untreated oral health needs

When oral health problems go untreated, the impacts extend far beyond the mouth. Persistent pain and discomfort from these issues can make it difficult to sleep, eat nutritious food, attend school or work, or perform daily activities.

The American Dental Association estimates that dental pain is responsible for an estimated 2 million emergency department visits every year. On average, these visits cost three times more than a visit to the dentist.

Poor oral health is also associated with serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, endocarditis and pregnancy complications. And adults aren’t the only ones affected.

Dental caries, or tooth decay, is the most common chronic disease affecting children. When left untreated, cavities can lead to infection and disrupt a child’s development.

“No child or adult should have to live with emergent dental health needs that go unaddressed,” says Deborah Gurney, community wellness program coordinator at the MultiCare Center for Health Equity and Wellness. “Our goal is to provide care that is safe, kind and supportive and helps people move forward with their lives.”

Oral Health Hero Award

In 2025, the Arcora Foundation honored MultiCare’s Dental Outreach Program with the Oral Health Hero Award. This award recognizes individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to improving access to oral health care in Washington.

Meeting people where they are

MultiCare’s Dental Outreach Program was established in 2022 to address gaps in oral health care access for Pierce County residents. Community health data showed that only about 50 percent of children and even fewer adults in the county were receiving annual dental care.

To advance equity in oral health, MultiCare teamed up with the Pierce County Local Impact Network, the Arcora Foundation, Medical Teams International, and Lindquist Dental Care for Children to offer Dental Resource Days. These monthly mobile clinics, funded by the Arcora Foundation, provide oral health education, emergent dental services for adults and preventive oral health services for children, with a focus on those who are uninsured or underinsured.

“Often, people need oral health support that extends beyond a problem with a single tooth,” Gurney says. “If we can’t fulfill their needs on-site, we’re able to leverage our extensive network of partners to get them referrals for things like root canals and low-cost dentures and help them find dental homes that accept Medicaid.”

Over the past three years, the program has grown in both scope and reach — adding preventive care screening events just for children, deepening long-standing partnerships and welcoming new partner organizations, such as Nourish Pierce County, Sea Mar and Elevate Health. The program has also evolved to address needs outside oral health.

“Participants at our mobile clinics now have access to community-based health workers, experts in benefits enrollment and food bank support,” Lindahl says. “We even host some mobile clinics at Pierce County food banks. We want to create this holistic, wraparound experience so we can meet people where they are and connect them with the services they need to thrive.”

The program has also recently integrated language access services, benefiting patients and participating organizations.

“Our food bank partners have shared how valuable it is to have interpreters on-site,” Gurney says. “This service helps them build trust and bridge language gaps, giving people the opportunity to ask questions and better understand available resources.”

In 2025, the Dental Outreach Program held 16 mobile clinics for emergent adult health needs and 12 pediatric screening events, serving a total of 334 participants.

So far, mobile clinics have been held at sites in Sumner and Tacoma. In 2026, the program plans to expand to two rural communities — the Key Peninsula and Eatonville — and to host more clinics at existing locations, with the goal of reaching even more residents.

“One of the most meaningful aspects of this work for me is the high level of collaboration,” Gurney says. “Seeing so many like-minded organizations come together and be so engaged in supporting our community is incredibly rewarding.”

Interested in participating in Dental Resource Days?

To learn more about Dental Resource Days, contact the Dental Outreach Program at [email protected] or call the scheduling line at 425-403-9626.