Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has launched a new program, called SmileWell, designed to ensure that students without dental insurance have access to affordable preventive dental care.
The program, launched this month by the VCU School of Dentistry, provides students with essential oral health services for a minimal annual fee.
According to the university’s Student Health Services, students without dental insurance can now enroll in SmileWell for $35 per year.
The program covers 100% of preventive services, including cleanings, exams, and X-rays, while also offering significant discounts on other treatments.
“SmileWell is our way of providing high-quality dental care to our student body,” said Dr. Jeff Johnson, associate dean of the VCU School of Dentistry and one of the program’s primary advocates. “We recognized the need among students at the Menlo Park campus and wanted to provide a solution.”
SmileWell eligibility is limited to VCU students enrolled in at least 10 credits per semester who do not have dental insurance.
Part-time students at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and students from other Virginia institutions may qualify for the Student-to-Student Discount Program, which offers 20% off preventive services and 40% off fillings, or they can choose a basic plan with a smaller discount.
Currently, SmileWell services are only available through VCU’s pre-doctoral clinic and not the graduate or specialty clinics.
Importantly, VCU’s existing student health fee does not cover dental or emergency care, making this program a valuable addition.
The program is fully funded and supported within the School of Dentistry, leveraging existing clinical infrastructure. While the idea was initially proposed by Dean Dr. Lyndon Cooper, Johnson is credited with driving its development.
Dr. Shannon Green, Medical Director of VCU Student Health Services, also played a key role in establishing a referral network that connects uninsured students directly to affordable care.
“This program is all about accessibility,” Johnson emphasized. “Now, if students need dental care but don’t have insurance, we can provide a direct and affordable path.”
According to James Parris, Director of Clinical Operations, SmileWell treated its first patient within two weeks of its launch, and the patient has been scheduled for follow-up care.
Patrice Gray, Director of Marketing, said the dental school is promoting the program through a grassroots campaign, including flyers and shelf cards on campus and at student resource centers like the Ram Pantry.
Johnson added that the school may explore similar models for other types of health services in the future. “SmileWell is just the beginning,” he said.