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Help us turn crisis into hope, one smile at a time.

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Support Seniors’ Oral Health and Overall Well-Being

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Mike's Transformation

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We are grateful for the help we receive from volunteers, who assist us in advancing the oral health of the seniors we serve.

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WHY WE EXIST
Poor dental health is a silent epidemic for seniors

Dental health is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems our country’s seniors face.
Learn how you can help.

41% of seniors have to choose between food and rent.

Many times, dental health falls by the wayside.

7 in 10 people 65 and older have no dental insurance.

And this is only growing as our population ages. Estimates show that 50 million seniors will be without dental insurance by 2030.

For seniors 65 and older:

 

7 in 10 have periodontal disease

1 in 5 have untreated cavities

1 in 4 have no teeth
Studies show that poor oral health is associated with:
Heart Disease
Stroke
Depression…
Diabetes
Respiratory Disease
Isolation
Poor Nutrition
LEARN MORE

“Many of my patients, like Shirley, have not been able to go to the dentist in many years.”

Karen Becerra, DDS, MPH
CEO & DENTAL DIRECTOR
OUR IMPACT
The difference we make

Our nonprofit Senior Dental Center provides affordable, high-quality oral healthcare with comprehensive education, clinical and wellness services for seniors in need, enabling them to live healthy and productive lives.

2,134
Dental Patients

Our patients are our passion, and treating the whole person is key to achieving positive outcomes. Every senior’s medical, social, mental health and dental concerns inform the oral healthcare we provide.

21,076
Dental Visits

Many of our patients have gone years without dental care. We take the time to provide the repeat visits necessary to restore their oral health.

990
Dentures

Many older adults need prostheses to help them properly eat, speak, and smile. Our specialized team ensures our patients get the treatment that best fits their needs.

3,977
Fillings

With 46% of our patients having untreated tooth decay, providing fillings is a vital step in stopping infections of the mouth from spreading to other parts of the body.

WHO WE HELP

“There’d been many moments when I felt that I could not smile normally and naturally because I felt so ugly. If I managed to smile, it might be behind my hand.”

We provide a wide range of high-quality oral healthcare services in a state-of-the-art facility with passionate staff, excellent care materials and high-tech diagnostic and treatment instrumentation for best results. Our goal is to ensure our senior patients achieve and maintain long-term oral health, regardless of their ability to pay for services.

VIEW PATRICIA'S STORY
HOW YOU CAN HELP

It’s likely you know or love someone affected by limited access to oral healthcare.

Dr. Karen is featured in Times of San Diego for Oral Cancer Awareness Month!

April is Oral Cancer Awareness month. More than 50,000 people will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, whether in their lips, mouth, tongue, or throat.

Dr. Becerra has taken the lead in connecting seniors on a limited income to quality dental care. The dental center has provided affordable services to hundreds of seniors, allowing them to smile and live healthier lives.

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Help seniors eat better, speak clearer and smile again.

With your contribution, we are able to provide much-needed oral healthcare, continue oral health education and prevention classes, and improve the quality of life for low-income seniors in San Diego.

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