Bpowell@dominionpost.com
MORGANTOWN — The day before Thanksgiving has come to signify more than holiday preparation at the Monongalia County Health Department. For MCHD Dentistry, it marks a tradition of care and compassion as the team opens its doors for its annual Healthy Smiles Day, offering free cleanings and checkups to uninsured adults across the region.
Created in 2019, Healthy Smiles Day provides adults 18 and older without dental insurance an opportunity to receive essential oral health services at no cost. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the event persevered, serving 24 patients in 2020 — a number that has remained steady into 2024 and 2025.
The program was launched before Medicaid expanded its adult dental benefits, first offering up to $1,000 per year and now providing $2,000 over a two-year period. Despite these improvements, MCHD Dentistry staff say the need for accessible care continues.
“A couple of years ago, we were unsure if the new Medicaid benefit for adult patients would mean fewer patients taking advantage of Healthy Smiles Day, but that was not the case,” said Dr. Youseph Kassar, program manager at MCHD Dentistry. “I guess it shows there’s still a need for patients who are being left behind.”
That need is reflected in national oral health data. More than 1 in 4 U.S. adults have untreated tooth decay, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly half of adults over 30 show signs of gum disease, and severe cases affect about 9% of the population. Low-income adults, smokers and individuals without a high school education are twice as likely to experience untreated dental problems. Left unchecked, decay and gum disease can lead not only to tooth loss and diminished quality of life but also increase the risk of serious health complications, including heart disease.
Healthy Smiles Day aims to break down those barriers by meeting patients where they are — financially and emotionally.
“So Healthy Smiles Day is a great way for us here at MCHD Dentistry to give back to the community by providing free dental care to adults that do not have dental insurance,” Kassar said. “Whether they’re worried about finances or just a general fear of the dentist, we hope to take one aspect of that away. They can come in and get a checkup, cleaning, X-rays, even some restorative work if needed, and see how we can help them maintain better oral care.”
As a full-service dental practice — and the only one housed within a West Virginia health department — MCHD Dentistry offers everything from exams and cleanings to crowns, implants, Invisalign and oral cancer screenings.
For many patients, the event provides not only relief but gratitude. WVU student Avery Pivont was among those treated.
“It’s wonderful,” Pivont said. “It’s so great that MCHD Dentistry does this. It helps a lot of people out. My teeth feel great now.”
Kassar added that, for staff, the day is just as meaningful.
“Being from Morgantown, and with our staff living in the area, it’s nice to see community members we may not otherwise see and give them a chance to come see us,” he said.
For updates on public health services and wellness resources in Monongalia County, visit monchd.org.
