The Connecticut Mission of Mercy (CTMOM) Free Dental Clinic transformed New Britain High School into a comprehensive dental care facility on June 20-21, 2025. This marked the eighteenth project for the mission and the first time the clinic was hosted in New Britain.
Record-Breaking Impact
The two-day event delivered extraordinary results. CTMOM provided $1,273,145 in free oral health care to 1,174 grateful patients with the help of 707 dedicated volunteers from medical, dental, and community backgrounds. The youngest patient was just one year old, while the oldest was 100.
Patients traveled from 117 cities, towns, and villages throughout Connecticut to receive care. Many waited for hours, and some camped overnight, demonstrating the desperate need for accessible dental services in the state.
Patient Demographics Reveal Healthcare Disparities
The patient data illustrates the scope of Connecticut’s dental access crisis and the diverse communities CTMOM serves.
Geographic Reach: Patients traveled from all eight Connecticut counties, with Hartford County providing 54.6% (641 patients), New Haven County 20.36% (239 patients), and New London County 7.92% (93 patients).
Economic Need: Income distribution showed 45.74% of patients earned under $20,000 annually, with an additional 28.79% earning $20,001-$40,000. Combined, 90% of patients fell below Connecticut’s median household income.
Insurance Gap: Of those reporting insurance status, 762 patients had no dental coverage, while only 70 had employer-provided insurance and 33 carried self-pay plans.
Age and Diversity: Adults represented 86.96% of patients, with the over-60 population forming the largest age group at 26%. Ethnically, Hispanic patients comprised 37.71%, Caucasian/White 24.53%, and African American/Black 23%.
Vulnerable Groups: The clinic served 67 veterans, 86 unhoused individuals, and 255 returning patients (22%) who rely on CTMOM as their dental home.
Comprehensive Services and Innovation
The clinic offered an impressive range of services through multiple specialized departments. The gymnasium was transformed into treatment areas for Restorative, Endodontics, Oral Surgery, Prosthetics, Hygiene, and Post-Op/Pharmacy care. Surrounding areas housed Patient Registration, Medical and Dental Triage, Radiology, Pediatric care, Sterilization, and a full Dental Laboratory.
Technology played a crucial role in delivering advanced care. A generous grant from the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation enabled CTMOM to purchase new 3D scanners, printers, and materials to provide CAD/CAM partial and complete dentures. For the first time, the clinic offered scaling and root planning procedures for patients with periodontal disease.
Services by the Numbers
The scope of treatment was remarkable:
- 1,174 comprehensive oral exams and medical screenings
- 544 composite fillings
- 361 dental cleanings
- 325 extractions
- 95 scaling and root planning procedures
- 44 prosthetics (partial dentures, repairs, and additions)
- 41 root canals
- 24 ceramic crowns
Special Populations and Partnerships
CTMOM prioritized vulnerable populations throughout the event. Sixty-seven veterans received preferential treatment, with two veterans from the previous Waterbury clinic receiving follow-up restorative care. One veteran received the first complete upper denture ever offered by CTMOM. Eighty-six patients reported being unhoused.
The clinic partnered with multiple organizations to provide comprehensive support beyond dental care. The American School for the Deaf offered ASL interpreters on Saturday. Therapy dogs helped alleviate patient anxiety. The American Red Cross provided snacks and water for waiting patients.
Volunteer Excellence
The success depended entirely on volunteer dedication. The 707 volunteers included 101 dentists, 64 hygienists, 88 dental assistants and students, 46 medical professionals, and 318 community volunteers. Students from the massage therapy program at CT State Community College Asnuntuck offered chair massages to volunteers throughout both days.
A team of volunteer dentists committed to providing emergency follow-up care for any patient needing additional treatment for thirty days after the clinic at no cost.
Looking Forward
The impact extended well beyond the weekend event. CTMOM sent follow-up correspondence to 474 patients who didn’t have a dental home, providing information about Federally Qualified Health Centers offering dental services on sliding fee scales.
Plans are already underway for future clinics. CTMOM will partner with Resolute Dental Partners for a mini clinic in New London on November 8, 2025. The 2026 CTMOM Free Dental Clinic is scheduled for April 17-18 at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs/Mansfield, with volunteer registration opening January 5, 2026.
Community Investment
The event generated significant community support and media attention valued at $163,792. Major sponsors included the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, Connecticut State Dental Association, Delta Dental Foundation, Henry Schein Dental, and dozens of other organizations contributing funding, equipment, and expertise.
The Connecticut Mission of Mercy continues to serve as a critical safety net for Connecticut residents who cannot access dental care through traditional channels. As healthcare costs continue rising, events like this provide essential services while highlighting the ongoing need for accessible oral healthcare throughout the state.
For those interested in supporting future clinics or volunteering, information is available at www.cfdo.org