TRAVERSE CITY — The sudden closure of the United We Smile dental clinic has left hundreds of veterans and other vulnerable patients without access to specialized dental care, raising concern among county officials, clinic leaders, and health providers.
Jennifer Kearns, founder of United We Smile, called the shutdown “a true tragedy for our community” and said it “did not need to happen.” Over just two years, the clinic provided more than $3.7 million in free dental care, including $1.2 million specifically for veterans.
“That’s free dental care into our community,” Kearns said. The clinic served patients often turned away elsewhere, including uninsured veterans, pregnant women, and individuals with intellectual, developmental, or neurodevelopmental disabilities.
“Not a lot of dentists are trained to treat uncooperative children with behavioral issues without sedation,” Kearns said. “Sedation dentistry costs quite a bit.” She explained that the clinic relied on dental students supervised by licensed dentists, keeping costs low while training future providers to work with complex patients.
Kearns said the clinic itself remained under budget each year, but financial instability at United Way, its fiduciary partner, contributed to the closure. The organization’s executive director resigned in May, raising concerns about transparency and finances.
“Over the years, money became an issue, and we started realizing the issues. Our executive director of United Way resigned in May,” Kearns said. “He saw what was happening, and we began investigating the books, taking time away from patient care.”
She added that United Way later assumed control of the clinic, disbanded its board, and used clinic funds for legal services without her knowledge. Kearns also questioned the status of a $2.9 million state appropriation intended to purchase the clinic building.
Dr. David Carlisle, the clinic’s supervising dentist, said staffing changes made it unsafe to continue treating patients, particularly children with complex needs. “I expressed the liability concerns. What if a kid dies?” Carlisle said. He resigned Dec. 30 after key staff positions were eliminated and his concerns went unanswered.
Some veterans currently in treatment may still receive care from volunteer dentists, but obtaining medical records and accessing nearly two dozen ready-to-install dentures has proven difficult. Kearns said two dentists have agreed to complete ongoing cases, but more than 300 veterans remain on a waiting list with no alternative provider.
Representatives from the Health Department of Northwest Michigan confirmed the clinic served a unique role that cannot easily be replaced. “This was a very niche market. That gap, from my understanding, is not going to be filled at this moment,” an official said.
In response, the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution to explore options to maintain dental care access for veterans and other high-need populations affected by the closure.