Policy to Improve Dental Hygiene

 Policy Recommendations to Improve Dental Hygiene

How Can We Make this Possible?

Nothing can be truly effective without proper policies in place, which is why we must implement clear, actionable laws to ensure homeless individuals can access the dental care they desperately need. Without structured policies, confusion and bureaucratic roadblocks prevent real progress, leaving vulnerable populations to suffer from preventable dental diseases. Establishing strong regulations not only eliminates ambiguity but also provides a clear framework for delivering essential oral healthcare, affirming that everyone deserves dignity, health, and a chance at a better future.

Housing Policy

Most homeless shelters lack toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss, leaving residents without daily oral hygiene essentials. A policy recommendation to resolve this problem would be requiring homeless shelters to provide basic oral hygiene supplies as part of intake services. By securing state funding or forging partnerships with corporate donors like Colgate, Crest, and Oral-B, we can ensure that oral hygiene products are consistently available without burdening shelter budgets. This simple yet impactful solution would not only improve dental health but also restore dignity and self-confidence to those in need. Access to oral care should never be a privilege—it’s a fundamental human right.

Expand Medicaid

Most homeless individuals rely on Medicaid, but dental coverage varies by state and is often limited to emergency extractions instead of preventive care. Medicare also lacks comprehensive dental benefits for older homeless adults. To break this cycle of neglect, we must expand Medicaid dental benefits nationwide to include preventive, restorative, and emergency care. This would allow homeless individuals to receive the treatment they need before minor dental issues turn into life-threatening infections. Additionally, increasing federal funding for community health centers would provide free or low-cost dental services to uninsured, homeless individuals who have no other options.

Conclusion

Policymakers must recognize dental care as an essential part of public health. Integrating oral health into housing policies and healthcare systems such as the Medicaid programs, would ensure that homeless individuals receive the care they need to prevent severe dental diseases, improve overall health, and restore their health and wellbeing.

Resources-

Donate to the National Health Care for Homelessness: https://www.nnoha.org/items-2/oral-health-for-patients-experiencing-homelessness-factsheet

To find free or low-cost health services: https://www.hrsa.gov/

Sign up to advocate for Basic Health Care Services for different Organizations: 

https://www.hcadvocacy.org/become-an-advocate/

Dental Hygiene Products are key to great Dental Health

    Dental hygiene is very important for our health and for the houseless community. One way we can help them achieve proper dental hygiene practices would be having access to dental hygiene supplies. There are a few ways to help those less fortunate to have access to these supplies mainly through programs and groups like the Blanchet House, and hygiene for all. The only issue is the Blanchet house doesn’t list dental products as a need on their website.

    Travel Size dental product packs are low cost and compact easy for a person to store in any scenario. There are products readily available on Amazon for less than ten dollars. This low cost and small size make it easy for you to donate to places like the Blanchet House or h4a. 

 

    It is important to partner with them to see what dental hygiene products they need or want. The Unhoused community live in conditions that may make dental hygiene a low priority. Especially as they live through the winter. Our goal is to help them gain access to more dental products that could help improve their overall health.  

 

    To increase the smiles across Portland it is very important for everyone to be aware of the issue and to donate what they can in order to improve the health of the unhoused. Here are some ways you can make a difference in the community by contacting these different sources.

·         Blanchet House at 310 NW Glisan St

Phone Number :503-241-4340

https://blanchethouse.org/get-involved

·         Hygiene4all At 824 SE MLK Jr Blvd

Phone Number: (971) 236-2524

https://www.h4apdx.org/

 

Mobile Dental Clinics Fill Critical Needs

 

Mobile Dental Clinics Fill Critical Needs

More Need, Fewer Resources

Every night, more than 7,480 adults and children in the Portland metro region sleep outside or in a homeless shelter. Thousands more are sleeping in their car, or doubled-up on a friend's couch. 

As announced on Feb 21, 2025, Multnomah County’s homeless services have an expected $104 million shortfall this year, a 25% budget reduction. Multnomah is requesting an additional $55 million from the State of Oregon and $30 million from Portland to address this funding gap. Even if the county is successful in these fundraising efforts, there is still nearly 20 million fewer dollars to support an expanding unhoused population. 

When funds are lacking, it's the other supports that get sidelined to make sure that shelter and critical basic needs are addressed for the most unhoused members of our community. Other needs, like oral health and dental care go unmet. 

Spotlight: Medical Teams International

When there's fewer resources and more people in need, everyone needs to find opportunities to help the most vulnerable members of our community. In Rose City, there is one organization, Medical Teams International (MTI), that has been doing just that, providing mobile dental care to the impoverished and unhoused, for over 30 years. 

MTI offers mobile dental clinics that provide the following services to those in need:

• Fillings and restoration of teeth
• Extractions of broken teeth
• Treatment of infections or abscesses in teeth or gums
• Basic exams and x-rays

In Need of Dental Services? 

Take a look at their clinic calendar to find when and where they are next offering their services. 

Please Help Today

Giving more of your time, talents, and financial support is essential with our community's budget shortfalls and ever-expanding needs. 

You can help MTI's mobile clinics keep putting smiles on the faces of those in need through: 

• In-kind and financial donations
• Partnerships
• Volunteering 

You can also contact your elected officials to advocate for spending to address this housing crisis and support the needs of our unhoused community members. 

Lean in to help in whatever ways you can. Together, let's make sure no one in our community is left behind suffering and shelterless. 

Sources

https://multco.us/news/news-release-chronic-homelessness-number-falls-across-tri-county-region-2023-point-time-count.

https://www.wweek.com/news/2024/12/28/oregons-homeless-population-is-8th-largest-in-the-nation-hud-count-shows/.

 Essential Nonprofit Dental Services

Why Are These Clinics Essential:

People who experience homelessness often face daily struggles to find food or a place to sleep, making it extremely difficult to navigate the healthcare system and access quality care. "Without adequate housing, individuals are at greater risk of poor health outcomes, including complications of chronic illness and substance use disorders and mental, and behavioral health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Underrepresented populations in Multnomah County experience the deleterious consequences of homelessness at a disproportionate rate." Providing these health clinics helps to save the lives of those experiencing homelessness and hopefully helps to uplift them and help them transition out of homelessness. 

https://www.pdxcityclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2015-01-06-HealthCareReformHomeless-3.pdf

Local Programs:

A local Portland program called Bridges Collaborative Care Clinic is a nonprofit student-run homeless clinic offering a multitude of healthcare services which somewhat recently expanded to include dental health. This clinic's volunteers consist of local students from Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University, and Portland State University. "Student volunteers identified dental services as a top need for Portland’s homeless community early on, while conducting a needs assessment prior to opening." Since then the Bridges Collaborative Care Clinic has been able to open multiple locations.
"The medical clinic is located in the lobby of The Clark Center Annex in inner Southeast Portland, just across from The Clark Center - a transitional housing shelter for clients of Bridges partner Transition Projects, which helps people transition out of homelessness." These clinics are essential to the homeless community they serve and provide real-world hands-on dentistry experience for the students running the clinic. Supporting local programs like these helps not only the houseless community who benefit from their services but additionally helps to train future healthcare workers and instill the importance of community outreach on behalf of the healthcare services.

https://ohsufoundation.org/stories/bridges-collaborative-care-clinic/
https://news.ohsu.edu/2018/10/11/free-student-run-homeless-clinic-expanding-to-offer-dental-care

Find Upcoming Clinics: 

https://www.bridgesclinic.org/patients
https://www.medicalteams.org/emergency-dental-clinics/

How can you donate?

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=AT7A9ZNZ92CDN&source=url&ssrt=1741304044607
https://www.medicalteams.org/donations/

How can you Volunteer?

https://www.bridgesclinic.org/volunteer

https://www.medicalteams.org/volunteer/

Oregon Health Plan: How To Access It And Is It Going Away?

 Background

The Oregon Health Plan is a medical assistance program that offers health care for low-income persons who meet the required qualifications. Among the things covered by this program are doctor visits, hospital care, mental health services, and dental care. They offer Oregon Health Plan Plus for low-income people who meet the eligibility requirements and Oregon Health Plan Bridge for those just above the standard plus limit. It is available to anyone of any age or immigration status. 

Dental Health Coverage

The Oregon Health Plan offers a variety of options for dental care. All members receive diagnostic, preventative, restorative, and specialist care. They offer check-ups, x-rays, cleanings, and fluoride varnish for diagnostic and preventative care. Restorative care includes fillings, extractions (having a tooth pulled), stainless steel crowns on back teeth, full dentures every 10 years, and partial dentures every 5 years. Finally, specialist care offers emergency or urgent care. However, emergency care only covers what is considered a true emergency. Examples of these would include losing a tooth, suffering from severe pain that won’t go away, or having a serious infection. If it is not a true emergency, then you may be asked to cover the bill. 

Veterans and members of the COFA (Compacts of Free Association) are entitled to additional benefits. In addition to the standard benefits, they can get free dental appointment rides. In some cases, certain drugs prescribed by the dentist, like antibiotics and pain relief medications, may also be covered.  

How to Access The Oregon Health Plan

Applications for the Oregon Health Plan can be submitted and accepted at any time of the year. However, it may be important to check eligibility before applying. The Oregon Health Authority offers a tool to help check for eligibility, which can be accessed here. When one is ready to apply, they can do so online at ONE.Oregon.gov, by phone at 1-800-699-9075, in person at a local Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) office, with an Oregon Health Plan-certified community partner, or by downloading and filling out an application from the OHA website here. 

Availability 

Medicaid has been under threat recently due to President Trump’s focus on cutting down government spending. Fortunately, the Oregon House has passed a bill (HB 2010) that would extend funding for the Oregon Health Plan through 2032. At the time of this posting, the bill is awaiting approval from the Senate. If approved, it will then be sent to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek for her to sign. It is important to note that despite the lack of protection, there are no plans to cut the Oregon Health Plan. 

Conclusion 

The Oregon Health Plan offers dental coverage for low-income Oregonians who meet the proper requirements. This extends to any person, regardless of immigration status. People can apply online, over the phone, or in person at any time of year. While there are talks of cutting Medicaid, there are no concrete plans to cancel the Oregon Health Plan. Likewise, there is a bill pending approval in the Senate to protect the Oregon Health Plan through 2032. For more information, see this article’s sources. 

“Health Coverage in Oregon.” OregonHealthCare.gov : Health coverage in Oregon : State of Oregon. Accessed March 2, 2025. https://healthcare.oregon.gov/pages/types-of-coverage.aspx. 

“OHP-Standard-to-Plus-Fact-Sheet.” Oregon Health Authority, October 24, 2013. 

“Oregon Health Insurance Plans: Find the Best Coverage for Your Needs.” healthinsurance.org, February 13, 2025. https://www.healthinsurance.org/health-insurance/oregon/ . 

Plante, Aimee. “House Passes Bill to Save Oregon Health Plan IF Congress Kills Medicaid Funding.” Koin 6, February 27, 2025. https://www.koin.com/news/politics/house-bill-oregon-health-plan-medicaid-funding-02272025.  

How You Can Help- Volunteer Opportunities in Your Community

 

Why It Matters

Dental care is often one of the most overlooked aspects of health for individuals experiencing homelessness. Without access to regular check-ups or necessary treatments, oral health issues can worsen, leading to significant physical and emotional challenges. However, there are numerous ways you can make a direct impact in your community by volunteering with outreach programs dedicated to providing dental care to the homeless. Whether you're a dentist, a dental student, or simply someone willing to lend a hand, your time and effort can help improve lives, offering people the chance to regain their confidence and access the care they desperately need. In this post, we’ll explore some of the local and national volunteer opportunities that make dental health services accessible to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.

 

Resources and Ways to Help

•    Dental Professionals- Gateway Grace Dental Clinic

“Our goal is to provide comprehensive dental care to adults making up to 300% of the federal poverty level.”

https://www.pacsonline.org/dental#:~:text=Volunteering%20Opportunities%20at%20the%20Dental%20Clinic&text=please%20contact%20Carol%20James%2C%20dental,as%20a%20volunteer%20dental%20professional!

•   Dental Students- Budd Clark Commons 

BCC is a student-led free clinic that provides dental services to vulnerable populations in the Portland-metro area. 

https://ohsufoundation.org/stories/bridges-collaborative-care-clinic/#:~:text=BCCC%20is%20a%20student%2Dled,Rao%2C%20D.D.S.%2C%20GPR%20'23

 

• Other Volunteer Opportunities- Oregon Dental Association

“Volunteers provide the ODA with essential resources needed to help us fulfill our mission and reach our goals. Volunteering for the ODA is about giving, contributing, and helping the profession to make a better community.”

 

https://www.oregondental.org/member-center/volunteer

Urgent Need: Oral Hygiene Kits for Portland’s Unhoused

Urgent Need: Oral Hygiene Kits for Portland’s Unhoused 

The Need is Urgent

The truth is, poor oral health affects far more than just your smile—it impacts overall health, dignity, and well-being. When our unhoused neighbors lack the ability to properly care for their teeth and gums, it can be a source of constant pain, embarrassment, and a barrier to feeling seen as a human being.

Providing oral hygiene kits—simple, inexpensive items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss—can make a world of difference. These small acts of care offer far more than just cleaner teeth. They offer dignity, self-respect, and a step toward better overall health.

How You Can Make a Difference

Portland, we need you. Here’s how you can help:

1. Donate Oral Hygiene Kits – The simplest way to help is by donating. Whether you drop off a kit at a local donation center or contribute funds for hygiene supplies, every bit helps. A toothbrush and toothpaste may seem small, but for someone without access to basic hygiene, it's a lifeline.

2. Volunteer Your Time – Volunteers are needed to help distribute these kits to the unhoused in our community. Your time can directly impact someone's day and show them they are not forgotten.

3. Spread the Word – Share this message with your friends, family, and neighbors. The more people involved, the bigger the difference we can make.

Take Action Now

Visit 211info.org to find programs donating oral hygiene supplies in Portland.  Reach out to them to donate, volunteer your time, or to learn more about how you can help. 

Join us in making Portland a city where no one is left behind. 

Oral Care and Pregnant Women Experiencing Homelessness

Pregnant Women and Oral Health

Adequate oral care is scarce for the homeless population but there are individuals within this community that experience a higher degree of vulnerability, like pregnant women. Pregnant women experience oral health complications during their pregnancy like gingivitis or tooth decay. The hormones of pregnant women fluctuate heavily during their pregnancy; They experience morning sickness/vomiting and this makes their gums and teeth more sensitive and susceptible to disease and decay (Head Start, 2025). As a healthy baseline, women who are pregnant are recommended to brush their twice a day, floss regularly, consume a healthy diet, and receive oral care (Head Start, 2025).

Resources for Pregnant Women Experiencing Homelessness

Women are generally a vulnerable population while experiencing homelessness, but when they are pregnant, they must urgently receive medical and oral care for the benefit of their child and themselves. A place where pregnant homeless women can find an adequate amount of shelter, food, health, and oral care is Maternity homes. The Portland-based Hope Squared Foundation is a place where all pregnant women in the Portland area can find shelter, overall health care, and maternity support. Maternity homes are a life-giving resource for homeless pregnant women, especially if they seek stability after giving birth. A specific maternity home that pregnant women experiencing homelessness in Portland can visit or stay at is Saving Grace Maternity Home. Rose Haven is another center located in Portland that specializes in supporting women and children experiencing poverty and homelessness.

How You Can Make an Impact

Image From: https://rosehaven.org/

Overall, maternity homes and dental care services for pregnant women experiencing homelessness are key resources that improve vulnerable situations. Greater Health Portland is an organization that provides oral care for impoverished and homeless populations like pregnant homeless women. In the case of homeless pregnant women, receiving shelter and prenatal care are most urgent, and oral care is included within these necessities. The Portland community should proudly support organizations and foundations like Greater Health Portland, Hope Squared, Saving Grace Maternity Home, and Rose Haven if they want to support pregnant women experiencing homelessness and in need of dental care.

References

Greater Health Portland. (2025). https://www.greaterportlandhealth.org/

Head Start. (2025, January 21). Promoting oral health services for pregnant women. https://headstart.gov/oral-health/brush-oral-health/promoting-oral-health-services-pregnant-women

Hope Squared Foundation. (n.d.) https://www.hopesquaredfoundation.org/

Rose Haven. (n.d.).  https://rosehaven.org/

Saving Grace Maternity Home. (n.d.).  https://savinggracematernityhome.org/

How Mental Health Affects Oral Hygiene and Self-Care in Unhoused Populations

Concerns Regarding Mental and Oral Health

  Within the unsheltered community, many individuals grapple with mental health issues that significantly impact their state of mind and quality of life. In a 2022 survey from Multnomah County interviewing the unhoused, out of 5,200+ houseless people, 40% reported having a severe mental health disorder, with 37% reporting having a substance abuse disorder. (Portland Street Medicine, 2024) These conditions can lead to severe neglect or harm of personal care, including oral hygiene. With many limitations preventing this community from proper access to resources and facilities essential to maintaining their oral and overall health, they can become more vulnerable to oral infections, causing immense pain, discomfort, or subjection to societal stigma based on these afflictions.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

    In addition to the facts mentioned above, it’s important to note that not only are individuals with mental illnesses more likely to become homeless than the general population, but the estimated rate of substance abuse among unsheltered people who are mentally ill falls at a staggering 50% (Adcare Treatment Centers, 2024). Substance abuse can drastically increase the risk of tooth decay and other harmful mouth diseases, making one’s goal of maintaining proper oral care and cleanliness even more challenging within these living conditions. According to American Addiction Centers, one reason that unhoused people with mental health issues might rely on substance abuse is to relieve their symptoms of mental illness, which can increase their chances of being exposed to violence or create barriers towards recovery. (American Addiction Centers, 2024)

How You Can Help

    With these aspects in mind, it’s apparent that untreated mental health issues can play a crucial role in an unhoused person’s physical health and well being, and can get notably worse in an environment where treatments and support centers are scarce. That is why it’s important to address these issues and be aware of the challenges that unhoused individuals are forced to undergo in regards to their mental and physical health. These are people in need of basic care and resources that many members of our society take for granted, and with enough support, they can thrive in our community, contributing to its overall growth and safety. If you know or encounter someone who is unhoused and in need of help with mental illness, hygienic care, or general support, below are some resource centers and contacts that aim to assist and educate in these factors:

https://www.211info.org/

https://multco.us/info/behavioral-health-resource-center

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline

https://www.h4apdx.org/

https://portlandrescuemission.org/

Sources

Most Homeless Americans Are Battling Mental Illness, www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-04-17/most-homeless-americans-are-battling-mental-illness. 

Padgett, Deborah K. “Homelessness, Housing Instability and Mental Health: Making The Connections.” BJPsych Bulletin, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2020, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7525583/. 

“The Problem.” Portland Street Medicine, www.portlandstreetmedicine.org/the-problem. 

“Substance Abuse and Homelessness: Statistics and Rehab Treatment.” Resources for Addiction Rehabilitation & Recovery, americanaddictioncenters.org/rehab-guide/addiction-statistics-demographics/homeless. 

Alternatives to Traditional Tooth Brushing

Tooth brushing is the simplest form of dental hygiene, yet, for many, it can be inaccessible or unaffordable. Houseless people can often face a difficult decision: deciding between food, clothing, and other essentials like toothbrushes and toothpaste. Even when able to get ahold of these items, it may not be enough to keep teeth happy and healthy. Listed below are some alternative ways to care for teeth without using the classic toothbrush and toothpaste.

Use a damp towel to scrub teeth. Towels can be effective in toothbrushing when you don’t have access to a traditional toothbrush.

Use baking soda as a toothpaste alternative. As a common ingredient in toothpaste, baking soda can be an effective way to kill harmful bacteria in the mouth.

Eat certain foods. Eating celery, carrots, and apples can scrape away at plaque and other build up. Other than that, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet can help fight against decay and keep the mouth biome balanced.

Use sugar free gum. Similar to the foods mentioned above, chewing gum can be used to get rid of food particles stuck on teeth.

Use your tongue! While probably the least effective on this list, using your tongue to wipe your teeth can get rid of some build-up, which is always better than nothing. 

These tips and tricks can be the vital difference between having a healthy mouth and dealing with tooth decay and other dental health issues. If you are dealing with inaccessibility to traditional dental hygiene products, give these a try and check out the linked sources for more information.

https://www.padentalimplants.com/how-to-clean-teeth-without-a-toothbrush/

https://www.kytdentalservices.com/how-to-keep-your-teeth/while-being-homeless

https://suburbanessexdental.com/10-alternatives-to-brushing-your-teeth/

The Effects of Poor Dental Hygiene on Food Choices for the Homeless Population

 The effects of poor dental hygiene on food choices for the homeless population:

 

Everyone deserves proper oral care, especially when met with dire need and assistance. The homeless community is no exception, as they should also receive the utmost care and respect regarding oral healthcare. An issue that may be overlooked is the proper food choices that may be accessible to the homeless population, as they are usually met with either unhealthy food choices, or foods that may be hard for them to process because of bad dental hygiene that may affect their ability to eat. Ignoring these choices could also impact the homeless community's oral care, as it may worsen the symptoms they may already be experiencing. Providing heart-healthy food can improve a person's health. This is why the homeless community should also be allowed to access foods with essential nutrients (1). 

Access to proper food: 

Accessing these necessary foods may be difficult for the homeless community, as they sometimes cannot be picky about what is given to them and may not have food elsewhere to receive. 

Some resources the community can look at is https://www.hungercenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/NitschkeHFCRPracticalNutritionForHomelessYouth.pdf

This is an insightful guide about the food choices the homeless community may already have accessible to them, and how they can use it to form a healthy diet. This site provides instructions on how to prepare the food, and it is made available with the intent of helping people make better food choices with limited resources. The goal of this information is to help boost the intention of having people who lack the resources for healthy foods, try something that may be available to them, and adjust that food item to make it healthier. Overall, healthy teeth need these nutrients to thrive and to continue to provide health benefits to their owners. 

1. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/oral-health

2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10271043/