An estimated one-third of Americans are without dental insurance, making even necessary care too costly for many Charleston residents. Yet, good oral health shouldnt be limited to those who can afford it. More than just checking for cavities, the health of our mouths impacts the overall health of our bodies. Poor oral health can increase your risk or worsen many chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes and COPD. Plus, dental diseases that go untreated can lead to more serious acute illnesses and infections.

But the need for accessible oral health care goes beyond the impact on individual patients and affects our community as a whole. If dental care is only sought out in an emergency, the burden is then placed on hospitals, which are ill-equipped to treat dental issues. Then, as health problems spiral, other aspects of patient lives are often impacted from employment status to financial capability, to even social standing creating a cycle that is difficult to break.

North Charleston Dental Outreach has been serving the Chicora-Cherokee and greater North Charleston for over 20 years. The organization was launched in response to the overwhelming need for access to basic dental care by individuals without the financial resources to afford private dental practice fees.

Today in the US, nearly one-third of Americans lack dental insurance and only seek dental care in response to pain. Lack of routine dental maintenance not only results in poor oral health but also can lead to systemic health consequences.

Originally birthed out of the Charleston Baptist Association, NCDO has carried out its mission through the efforts of committed volunteers, funding from private donors, and faith-based partnerships. Throughout its existence, NCDOs impact has fluctuated based on funding and levels of engagement from key partners. Today, the organization operates on a minimal budget and is funded almost exclusively through a network of practicing and retired dentists who are committed to the work. The clinic provides care weekly through a donated space adjacent to Saint Matthews Church in the Chicora Cherokee community.

While the current facility and scope of operations are providing a much-needed service to the community, there is an opportunity to do more. The current facility is in need of major repair and creates constraints around the scope of services that can be provided to patients. Additionally, the current state of the facility is a hindrance to volunteer involvement and creating formalized academic partnerships.

Historically, the organization has lacked the formal governance and infrastructure required for growth. The dedicated volunteers that have carried out the work have provided the resources necessary to keep the organization alive.

Recognizing the opportunity to better serve the people of Chicora and greater North Charleston, leadership is seeking to transition NCDO from an informal community service to a fully functioning organization with a goal of launch a new comprehensive dental care facility in Chicora in 2021.

Established by the Charleston Baptist Association (CBA) in 1998, North Charleston Dental Outreach was created to provide emergent dental care for those without health insurance or the financial resources to seek needed relief from pain.

In 1996, Jack Little, the Community Ministries Director at CBA, established an advisory committee to determine the feasibility of establishing a dental clinic in the neck area of Charleston. In addition to overall needs resulting from poverty, this area has been identified as the most concentrated child poverty area in the state of South Carolina.

Just a few decades prior, this same area was thriving economically. However, as North Charleston expanded northward, much of the at-risk population was left behind. As part of that process, many of the larger churches in the area suffered major declines in membership leaving them with plenty of available space.

One of those churches, Charleston Heights Baptist Church, came alongside the vision of a dental clinic and offered free use of space. For the first three years, CBA supported the project through a small operating budget while the project got up and running.

In 2003, Charleston Heights Baptist Church disbanded and the property was purchased by St. Matthew Baptist Church. Thankfully, leadership from St. Matthew shared in the vision for the ministry and allocated space along with renaming the effort North Charleston Dental Outreach. Today, St. Matthew continues to provide space for the clinic and other donors and faith partners have made contributions to improve conditions at the facility.

In 2016, North Charleston Dental Outreach received its 501c3 status and has since been working to identify plans for for how to better serve the community. While the project has always met a need, there is clearly an opportunity to garner additional resources for the sake of greater impact.

NCDO currently offers patients free basic dental services one afternoon/evening per week on a first come, first serve basis. Due to demand for services, it is common that patients are turned away. Patients are asked, but not required, to donate toward the cost of the services they receive.

The clinic has two part-time staff who are assisted by volunteer dentists from the Charleston area, dental residents and students from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine and church volunteers from St. Matthews Baptist Church. The primary service offered is extractions. Volunteers evaluate each patients needs and assist with their treatment.