Confidence to Move Forward
Transforming Smiles, Transforming Lives: Free Dental Care Empowers Opportunity Center Residents at Hopeful Smiles Event
Hunt School of Dental Medicine, Freeport-McMoRan, and Paso del Norte Health Foundation collaborate to improve community’s oral health
A group of about 75 individuals from the Opportunity Center for the Homeless experienced a transformation that could alter their lives.
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic hosted Hopeful Smiles, a cost-free dental screening and cleaning event cosponsored by the Hunt School of Dental Medicine and the Paso del Norte Health Foundation. Made possible by a $15,000 grant from Freeport-McMoRan, the initiative provided empowering oral health care to individuals who often lack access to these services.
Students from the dental school delivered essential dental care to residents who, in many cases, had never visited a dentist before. The Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic, located in the Paso del Norte Health Foundation building, made for a welcoming environment.
For Jose, an Opportunity Center resident, the impact was deeply personal.
“This is my first visit to the clinic, and I’m thankful for the care I’ve received,” said Jose. “The staff has been welcoming and attentive, making me feel comfortable. I’m definitely coming back for my dental cleanings from now on!”
For individuals facing homelessness, oral health is not just about aesthetics; it’s often a barrier to employment and self-esteem. This event not only offered clinical care but also gave patients a renewed sense of hope as they worked toward reintegrating into the workforce and community.
“Oral health is about more than just a smile, it’s about giving someone the confidence to move forward, to interview for a job, or even to look in the mirror and feel proud of who they are,” said Richard Black, D.D.S., M.S., dean of the Hunt School of Dental Medicine. “Today, we accomplished something beyond dentistry; we helped restore dignity and hope.”
Community Collaboration for a Healthier Future
The event helped address the unmet health care needs of underserved communities in the El Paso region. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, 34% of adults lack dental insurance. Many low-income individuals and families forgo basic oral care, leading to preventable health issues.
Through a collaborative effort, the Hunt School of Dental Medicine and the Paso del Norte Health Foundation leveraged the grant from Freeport-McMoRan to provide care while training the next generation of dentists to serve low-income communities. The event also addressed long-term challenges in dental care access by connecting aspiring dental professionals with populations in need.
Hopeful Smiles participants came from the Opportunity Center’s Men’s Resource Center, Women’s Resource Center, Willie Sanchez Rosales Family Center and La Casa de Las Abuelitas.
John Martin, deputy director of the Opportunity Center, said he has seen oral health care have an impact beyond a bright smile. He’s witnessed individuals regain their appetites, ambition and confidence.
“One direct result of this program is how it prepares individuals to transition out of homelessness,” said Martin. “A large number of the individuals who stay with us have a large desire to move forward. And together we’re making that possible. We’re incredibly grateful to the Hunt School of Dental Medicine and to Freeport-McMoRan because it’s a shared responsibility.”
Martin Soltero, Environmental Director at Freeport's El Paso operations, and engineer Victor Aragon were invited to see Hunt School of Dental Medicine students in action, as they toured the Oral Health Clinic during the event.
“We’re proud to partner with Texas Tech Health El Paso and bring this valuable program to our El Paso community,” said Soltero. “The clinic has done an excellent job helping those who are in need and encouraging them to continue their oral health care which opens the door to employment, education and so many other opportunities.”
Building a Foundation for Empowerment
The partnership between the Hunt School of Dental Medicine, the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, and the Opportunity Center showcases how collaboration can deliver results for populations that often fall through the cracks. By focusing on preventative care and education, they empower individuals to take charge of their health and future.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of adults over 30 have some form of gum disease, which is preventable with proper care and resources. As the Hunt School of Dental Medicine continues its work in underserved communities, it reinforces its role as a catalyst for change, empowering both patients and providers.
About Freeport-McMoRan
Freeport is a leading international metals company with the objective of being foremost in copper. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Freeport operates large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum. Freeport is one of the world’s largest publicly traded copper producers. Freeport’s portfolio of assets includes the Grasberg minerals district in Indonesia, one of the world’s largest copper and gold deposits; and significant operations in North America and South America, including the large-scale Morenci minerals district in Arizona and the Cerro Verde operation in Peru. By supplying responsibly produced copper, Freeport is proud to be a positive contributor to the world well beyond its operational boundaries. Additional information about the company is available at fcx.com.
About the Paso del Norte Health Foundation
The Paso del Norte Health Foundation was established in 1995 from the sale of Providence Memorial Hospital to Tenet Healthcare Corporation. The Health Foundation seeks to ensure that the people living in far West Texas, Southern New Mexico and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, have the knowledge, resources and skills to lead healthy lives.
About the Hunt School of Dental Medicine
The Hunt School of Dental Medicine opened in 2021 and is the only dental school on the U.S.-Mexico border, and the first in Texas to open in more than 50 years. The school offers the most innovative curriculum in the country, preparing students for the future of dentistry with high-tech simulation and an advanced fabrication laboratory. A first for any dental school in the nation, students begin clinical training and patient interaction during their first semester. It’s also the first and only dental school in the nation that requires Spanish language courses.
As upward of 75% of dental school graduates open practices near their dental schools, Hunt School of Dental Medicine graduates are expected to address the oral health care needs along the U.S.-Mexico border forgenerations to come. The Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic specializes in high-tech, same-day dentistry forpatients. With a full complement of 221 students spanning four dental classes, Hunt School of Dental Medicine students are poised to provide nearly 60,000 clinical hours of oral care annually.
About Texas Tech Health El Paso
Texas Tech Health El Paso is the only health sciences center on the U.S.-Mexico border and serves 108 counties in West Texas that have been historically underserved. It’s a designated Title V Hispanic-Serving Institution, preparing the next generation of health care heroes, 48% of whom identify as Hispanic and are often first-generation students.
Established as an independent university in 2013, Texas Tech Health El Paso is a proudly diverse and uniquely innovative destination for education and research.
With a mission of eliminating health care barriers and creating life-changing educational opportunities forBorderplex residents, Texas Tech Health El Paso has graduated over 2,400 doctors, nurses and researchers over the past decade, and will add dentists to its alumni beginning in 2025. For more information, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.