Two VISTA volunteers funded by local churches, opened a clinic to provide healthcare for migrant farm workers in outlying rural Alachua County. It was incorporated in May of 1974 and named the Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs, Inc. (ACORN). Established as a 501(c)3 non-profit in 1976, ACORN Clinic continues to provide affordable medical care, dental care, and social service referrals primarily for low-income, uninsured and/or underinsured residents in North Central Florida.
The Dental Clinic was added in 1987. At that time it consisted of two dental chairs in an aged, donated trailer. Later a house and land were donated and the facility was remodeled to house both medical and dental exam rooms in the same structure. For several years, staff creatively managed space to accommodate over 5,000 patient encounters per year. A Capital Campaign was mounted in the late 1990s, and in 2000, a new 8-chair dental clinic was built. The medical clinic expanded into the renovated initial houses, enlarging from three exam rooms to six, adding a separate medication area and laboratory space.
The most strategic and unique feature of the ACORN Clinic is its use of volunteer physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, and other health care professionals. Over the years, ACORN has established a lasting relationship with the nearby University of Florida Health Science Center and Santa Fe College health professional education and training programs. ACORNs success in the development and maintaining of partnerships with private dentists and physicians, local public health units, and other agencies has been an important aspect of ACORNs high quality care for the rural population. Strategic funding partners have been crucial to the sustaining viability of the Clinic, including the United Way of North Central Florida; Alachua, Bradford and Union Counties Boards of County Commissioners; foundations; professional associations; as well as local churches, businesses, and civic groups.
ACORNs unique structure of partnerships and volunteer relationships has been recognized by several national organizations, including the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leader Award, the Mutual of America Community Health Partnership Award, the National Rural Health Associations Outstanding Rural Health Program of the Year award, Sapphire Award from the Florida Blue, and Florida Attorney Generals award for Health Innovation, Prevention and Management. ACORN Clinics volunteers and staff have also received awards for this service such as Work of Heart and the Girl Scouts Women Who Make a Difference.
Reviews
Rating 4.2 out of 5 based on 32 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestKayla Knotts
a year ago
Everyone was very nice and professional I definitely have found my new dentist office! So thankful they could get me in! Doctors and assistants were so amazing thank you so much for everyone's great attitudes they really make a world of a difference!
George Grover
2 years ago
I want to setup a appointment but no one is answering the phone
Jennifer Duncan
2 years ago
They were amazing they took copies of my real teeth And made me a partial that look like my old teeth They are very courteous Nice. but the wait time is crazy. But amazing staff Amazing!!! students And amazing work If I could give them 10 Stars I would.
Christie Trout
2 years ago
Made an appointment, was asked to show up 30 minutes early to fill out new patient paperwork. Was called back 5 minutes before my appointment time. From the ladies at the front desk, all the way to the dentist everyone was super friendly & helpful. This isn't a free clinic but it is truly low cost dental care. May 3, 2022
cori robie
2 years ago
Went in for a bad tooth to be pulled out. It was hands down the best experience I ever had with a dentist office and dentist PERIOD. !!!.
cori robie
3 years ago
Went in for a bad tooth to be pulled out. It was hands down the best experience I ever had with a dentist office and dentist PERIOD. !!!.
Mrkanda Fitch
3 years ago
I had to schedule an emergency Extraction of an infected molar... They were able to get me in with 36 hrs and the doctors and dental assistants and intake personnel were very kind, considerate, and expert! I brought in my financial documents and had a 55% discount to the already affordable price! I also had a screening last week and will have a cleaning next week. They come highly recommended for service, care, and affordability!
Mrkanda Fitch
4 years ago
I had to schedule an emergency Extraction of an infected molar... They were able to get me in with 36 hrs and the doctors and dental assistants and intake personnel were very kind, considerate, and expert! I brought in my financial documents and had a 55% discount to the already affordable price! I also had a screening last week and will have a cleaning next week. They come highly recommended for service, care, and affordability!
Danny Meneses
4 years ago
My Mother is an elderly disabled women that has been a customer for years. She had an emergency and waited for 3 hrs she expressed concern over her pain. She was told they would not see her that day. At that point they told her to leave and never come back BY OFFICE MANAGER (patient abandonment). BTW SHE ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL SHE IS DIABETIC.
Southern Belle
4 years ago
Great staff and people, so good with kids! Love it there!
Danny Meneses
5 years ago
My Mother is an elderly disabled women that has been a customer for years. She had an emergency and waited for 3 hrs she expressed concern over her pain. She was told they would not see her that day. At that point they told her to leave and never come back BY OFFICE MANAGER (patient abandonment). BTW SHE ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL SHE IS DIABETIC.
Southern Belle
5 years ago
Great staff and people, so good with kids! Love it there!
Michael McGowan
5 years ago
Great place. Very hard-working and friendly.
Robin Brady
5 years ago
I was a customers ride to their appointment at the Acorn dental location. I walked into the building see how much longer the person was going to be. However the time was 12:10pm, which was 10 minutes into their lunch time. So NO ONE would talk to me!!! I didn't need to see the dentist, I only needed a 2 second answer! So absolutely NO ONE would even look at me or look in my direction, so that way they didn't have to take 2 seconds to answer a question for me! Well, don't worry I won't go back!
john eagle
5 years ago
Good place
Barbara
5 years ago
This use to be a place to go. For people with no dental insurance or low income for help. Now just to get started you must pay 100.00 no payment plan all or nothing. Then they will help you. They are like a regular dental office now. Tried to get some help today and could not becouse of their new policy. Who can afford dentist. Anymore when you do not have insurance or a load of . Which neither i have. So i'm screwed.right now i need dental work done that i have been putting off because of those other reason and still have to come up with fee to do the paper work beork before they will even will see me. Crazy.
john bogan
5 years ago
Impossible to get a return phone call. I had to drive a relative here 50 miles , She had several teath pulled , a absess was noted , why was there no script for a antibiotic called in ? Now two weeks later , no call back No antibiotic !
Robin Brady
6 years ago
I was a customers ride to their appointment at the Acorn dental location. I walked into the building see how much longer the person was going to be. However the time was 12:10pm, which was 10 minutes into their lunch time. So NO ONE would talk to me!!! I didn't need to see the dentist, I only needed a 2 second answer! So absolutely NO ONE would even look at me or look in my direction, so that way they didn't have to take 2 seconds to answer a question for me! Well, don't worry I won't go back!
Michael McGowan
6 years ago
Great place. Very hard-working and friendly.
john eagle
6 years ago
Good place
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