When Ypsilanti resident Charlotte Barker’s retired father, Charles Barker, needed to replace his dentures, she faced financial hardship. Although he had partial health insurance through his former employer, his dental coverage was flawed.
“I asked the dentist what the out-of-pocket cost would be, and my first reaction was, ‘There’s no way I can afford it,’” Charlotte says.
She searched for a solution and was eventually referred to the Washtenaw Dental Foundation. “I’m so grateful I found it,” she says.
Charles ultimately received the necessary extractions and dentures at the dental clinic located within Trinity Health Hub Medical Center on North Huron Street in downtown Ypsilanti.
The clinic is a public benefit program of the Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) in partnership with the nonprofit organization My Community Dental Centers. It is supported by the Washtenaw Health Program and the county government, which allocates $20,000 annually from its general fund.
Since its opening in 2015, the clinic has been dedicated to serving populations overlooked by the traditional healthcare system.
In 2024, the clinic saw 3,385 patients and provided 7,712 services. Trinity Health also provided office space for the clinic.
The clinic accepts most public health insurance plans, including Medicaid, Healthy Kids Dental, and the Children’s Medical Plan (MIChild), and offers reduced-fee services to the uninsured, low-income individuals, and veterans.
WCHD Health Officer Jimena Loveluck noted that oral health directly impacts overall health, with dental problems linked to diabetes, heart disease, and educational disruption.
Kelly Stupple, program manager for the Washtenaw Health Project, added that oral health also impacts job opportunities, particularly because missing teeth can create a negative impression during interviews.
However, Loveluck acknowledged that many private dental clinics remain reluctant to accept Medicaid patients due to low reimbursement. This is precisely the significance of the public dental clinic.
Stupple said, “This clinic truly provides a safety net for the community, providing access to those most in need.”
Despite recent state reforms encouraging more dentists to accept Medicaid, access remains limited and wait times are long.
Stupple said the clinic has remained committed to its role as a “safety net clinic,” making it an indispensable addition to the community.
“This isn’t just the work of the health department,” said Lofluck. “It’s the collaborative effort of so many partners, and we’re incredibly fortunate to have this resource.”
Today, the dental clinic has become a source of hope for countless low-income and uninsured residents, bringing them tangible oral health and dignity.