GAINESVILLE, Fla. — For Gainesville resident Tashenia Torres, severe jaw pain from impacted wisdom teeth led her to a dentist’s office — but without insurance or savings, treatment felt out of reach.
“I told them I didn’t have the money or health insurance,” Torres said. “They said I needed the money to get it taken out, and that felt unfair.”
Torres’ experience reflects a broader problem. An estimated 6 million Floridians face barriers to accessing dental care, often due to cost, according to Floridians for Dental Access.
In February, two Gainesville providers are offering free dental services to help address those gaps during National Children’s Dental Health Month.
Millhopper Family Dentistry will host its annual “Care to Share” free dental clinic on Feb. 28, beginning at 8 a.m. The event will serve the first 100 people on a first-come, first-served basis and provide free fillings, extractions and cleanings.
The University of Florida College of Dentistry will hold its 11th annual Super Sealant Saturday on Feb. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will offer free dental exams, sealants and fluoride varnishes for children ages 1 to 17, along with oral health education activities. Walk-ins are welcome, though appointments are encouraged.
After seeing the Care to Share event on social media, Torres said she plans to attend to have two teeth extracted. She expects to arrive as early as 1 a.m. to secure a spot, noting that some patients camp out the night before.
Despite the opportunity, Torres said she remains anxious about recovery time, medications and missed work.
“I was told I might be out of work for a couple of days, and that’s scary,” she said. “We need to put food on the table.”
Millhopper Family Dentistry office administrator Jessica McMillan said the free clinic began in 2010 to help patients who could not afford routine dental care. Over time, she has noticed a shift in patient needs.
“Early on, many people needed extractions,” McMillan said. “Now more are coming in for fillings or cleanings, which tells us we’re making a difference.”
The clinic relies on sponsorships and about 75 volunteers, including former staff members, to serve the community.
Millhopper owner Alecia McDonald said the initiative focuses on helping those excluded from care due to insurance or financial barriers.
“It’s rewarding to use our skills and our office to give back,” McDonald said. “There’s a real sense of teamwork and community.”
At UF, Super Sealant Saturday was founded in 2015 by dental students and has since served more than 1,100 children, according to organizers. The event combines preventive care with themed activities — this year’s theme is “Toy Story” — to reduce anxiety and promote positive dental experiences.
About 40% of people experience dental fear or anxiety, according to The PADMEL.
“Our goal is to make preventive care accessible and fun for kids,” said Olga Ensz, UF clinical associate professor and director of community-based outreach. “We want families to leave with a positive experience.”
Organizers say both events aim to improve access to care while addressing long-term oral health needs in the Gainesville community.