Dental Affinity Program

The Dental Affinity Program (DAP) was launched in 2007 by Dientes Community Dental Care and partner agencies Monterey Bay Dental Society, Salud Para La Gente, and Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust to connect low-income uninsured patients with local private practice dentists.  These dentists provide their services pro bono to offer access to quality, affordable and timely dental care to highly vulnerable, uninsured children and adults in Santa Cruz County.

Since 2008 we have coordinated over 43 volunteer dentists to provide over $120,000 worth of free care to more than 90 uninsured patients whose needs go beyond what they can afford to pay and what we can afford to subsidize.  Its continuation is more important than ever in the wake of the recent economic downturn and massive cuts to public insurance coverage of dental benefits.

The DAP relies on the generosity of local dentists who would like to donate their time as a way of giving back to their community.   Participating volunteers have the opportunity to significantly impact the life of someone in need, and most find it a very rewarding experience.

If you are a local dentist and would like more information on the Dental Affinity Program, please contact us.