Homeless Not Toothless: Raising the Pride and Dignity of the Homeless Through Free Dental Care

Dr. Jay Grossman is a dentist in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles County. In a neighborhood with so much afluence one might be surprised to find that it home to a non-profit that provides vital services to homeless people.  Since 1992, when Dr. Grossman began “Homeless Not Toothless” in the Landmark Self Expression and Leadership Program, it has provided over 1 million dollars worth of free dental work through over 30 different dental practices in the Los Angeles area. Each of these dental practices has delivered the care without any financial compensation. Homeless Not Toothless has been featured in the media many times.

To learn more about Homeless Not Toothless, visit  their website.

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3 comments

angela deponte says:

I HAVE BEEN HOMELESS FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS NOT INCLUDING SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE THAT. I HAVE MISSING TEETH AND THEY ARE DECAYING SEVERLY FROM THE GUMS. STATE INS. ONLY PULLS TEETH AND THATS IT, SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THEM PULLED OR SUFFER IN EXTREME PAIN. STILL TO THIS DAY MY TEETH HURT, MY ONLY ONES I HAVE LEFT WHICH I NEED PULLED BUT KNOW I HAVE NO INS. TO COVER A GOOD SET OF DENTURES THAT I COULD BE PROUD TO SMILE AND LAUGH WITHOUT COVER MY MOUTH. I HEARD ABOUT YOU THROUGH A DR. PHIL SHOW AND I WAS SO HAPPY THAT THERE IS A PROGRAM THAT HELPS SOMEONE LIKE ME. I FELT WOW THERE IS STILL HOPE FOR ME TO LAUGH/SMILE AGAIN WITH CONFIDENCE. I AM 32 AND CURRENTLY IN A METHADONE PROGRAM, I HAVE BEEN CLEAN SINCE OCT 2010. PLEASE DO NOT USE THIS FOR YOUR DECISION NOT TO HELP ME, I HOPE YOU WILL USE IT FOR THE REASON THAT YOU WILL HELP ME. I REALLY FEEL THAT MY INSECURITIES OF MY TEETH PREVENT ME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL, TO GET A JOB, TO EVEN JUST HAVE A CONVERSATION. IF YOU ONLY KNEW HOW SELF CONSCIOUS I FEEL ABOUT ME TEETH YOU COULD UNDERSTAND WHY I REALLY WANT SOME HELP,WHY I NEED HELP. I KNOW THINGS COULD BE WORSE BUT I ALSO KNOW THINGS COULD BE BETTER. AND I AM NOT A VAIN PERSON,I JUST MISS MY SMILE AND MY LAUGH. I MISS IT ! MY NAME IS ANGELA DEPONTE MY AGE IS 33. I CAN STILL MAKE A LIFE FOR MYSELF AND THAT IS WHAT I HOLD ON TOO. I HAVE FAITH IN GOD.
PLEASE CONTACT NE THROUGH MY FRIENDS E-MAIL TO LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP ME OUT SOMEWAY. I AM STAYING IN WESTHAVEN, CT06516, MY PARENTS ADDRESS IS C/O DEBI KEOUGH 285 SAVIN AVE. APT.A-3 WESTHAVEN, CT O6516. YOU CAN CONTACT ME THROUGH MAIL IF NEED BE OR MY FRIENDS E-MAIL. THANKYOU SO VERY MUCH FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO READ MY LETTER. I TRULEY HAVE FAITH GOD WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN. GOD BLESS.
P.S. IF U NEED ANY MORE INFO LET ME KNOW. ANGELA DEPONTE

Jan Jones says:

What a wonderful thing to do. I know it’s hard for the homeless to get dental care outside the Family Dental Clinics that are free. I am a 65 year old woman who has worked all her life and at the age off 55 got cancer and the treatments made my teeth rot and a lot have had to be pooled. I am so self-conscious and cant afford to get my smile corrected. I don’t qualify for free dental care and can’t afford how much it is. I get very angry when so many people make fun of those that have rotten teeth or teeth falling out. It is so mean. They are just fortunate to have money for dental care or have good teeth. My smile used to be the best part of me. God bless you for helping people with this.

Patricia Martin says:

This is a great thing I’m a great candidate for I’ve to so many dentists and can’t afford none not being able to smile is the worst im tearing up by writing this one day before I pass on I pray I can have a portrait with my with me smiling God Bless yo for those you help smile again

Sincerely
Me

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