The Lamb Center in Fairfax recently celebrated the grand reopening of its dental clinic. The newly renovated clinic will become a vital local resource, providing free, compassionate, and comprehensive oral health services to hundreds of vulnerable residents facing homelessness or housing instability.
The renovation was supported by multiple grants, including $35,000 from the City of Fairfax Nonprofit Grant Program and $25,000 from the Inova Community Health Fund.
Thanks to the community’s collaborative efforts, the clinic, which was once an outdated facility, has been transformed into a modern, state-of-the-art dental center that provides services comparable to those in a private dental office.
“Oral health is integral to overall health, yet this care is often difficult for our guests to access,” said Tara Ruszkowski, Executive Director of the Lamb Center.
“This is not just a place to heal, but a space to help people regain their dignity and health. It is an answer to our collective prayers and an expression of social justice.”
The new clinic will provide a full range of services for eligible guests, including preventive care, fillings, extractions, root canals, gum treatments, and dentures.
Dr. Samuel Hamm, a volunteer dentist, participated in the renovation process and personally supervised major construction and equipment installation.
He said: “We can now complete almost all the services provided by private dental offices here. Every patient deserves the best quality care.”
The idea of this dental clinic was first proposed by former board member Sharon Jones and pioneered by the first volunteer dentist Dr. Joe Grieco. The clinic originally had only portable equipment and simple facilities similar to overseas missions.
Today, with the joint efforts of faith, persistence and partners, it has developed into a stable and efficient modern clinic.
On the opening day, Pastor Dave Larrabee and Intern Pastor Chris Ehrenbaum blessed the clinic. Quoting the Bible’s Proverbs and the Gospel of Matthew, they described the clinic as a “house built on the rock”, symbolizing the tenacity and value of this space and the people it serves.
As one of the few low-threshold, no-appointment, and completely free dental clinics in Northern Virginia, the Lamb Center’s clinic focuses on providing high-quality services to the homeless and uninsured.
“In an era when access to health care is under debate, this clinic is answering a fundamental question: Who deserves health care? The answer is: everyone,” said Leslie Abashian, director of Fairfax Human Services.