State of Health is a series about how communities and organizations are addressing Michigan's health challenges and concerns. This series is made possible with funding from a building coalition of funders, including Delta Dental Foundation and Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
Inspired by a string of recent disasters, the START Collaborative aims to address unmet needs in Otsego County through collaboration between nonprofits, schools, hospitals, government entities, and businesses.
Walker Career Center trains teens for dental careers, tackling workforce shortages and helping underserved students access well-paying, high-demand health care jobs.
Last year the nonprofit YesRx received a grant to work with the tribe over a two-year period, expanding access to expensive drugs that would otherwise go to waste.
HNC Living Foundation provides dental care, nutrition, and support to head and neck cancer patients facing financial and treatment challenges.
Cherry Health’s Grand Rapids Belknap clinic offers urgent dental care in the evenings, reducing ER visits and improving access for underserved and working patients.
McMillen Health’s Brush program equips families and educators with easy-to-understand oral health tools, transforming access in underserved communities.
Jessica Rickert, DDS, the first American Indian female dentist, advocates for oral health equity and inspires Native youth through mentorship and representation.
Two Michigan veterans care advocates are tackling the critical gap in veterans’ dental care, offering free clinics through grants and sustainable community programs.
MedWish Medworks turned an unused dental chair into inclusive dentistry for youth at Cuyahoga Juvenile Detention Center, providing critical care for long-neglected health needs.
Three Centers for Inclusive Dentistry in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio use specialized training, sensory-friendly tools, and tailored approaches to provide accessible dental care for all patients.
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