By Kristina Leahy, Development & Outreach Coordinator
You can tell so much by a person's smile. Not just whether they are happy, sad, or shy, but how well their teeth and gums are cared for. Oral health is closely connected to overall health and can impact conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and lung infections.
Many people are taught from a young age to brush twice a day, floss regularly, and visit a dentist every six months. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to that level of care. Financial barriers, limited insurance coverage, transportation challenges, and a lack of education about dental hygiene can make routine dental visits difficult. At the Community Health Care Clinic (CHCC), patients have opportunities to access both dental care and the education needed to maintain good oral health.
October is Dental Hygiene Month, serving as an important reminder to prioritize oral health. For the past seven years, CHCC's dental clinic has helped improve the health and confidence of hundreds of patients by providing quality dental services and education. What began as an expansion of care has become an essential part of helping patients achieve better overall health.
When visiting CHCC for their appointment, patients will see all the tools necessary to help with teeth cleaning, extractions, partials, flippers, dentures, and more. The clinic offers a wide variety of services. Some clinics will remove a patient’s teeth, but our team will also replace teeth. The care does not stop when a patient walks out the door. Education is a huge part of the experience. CHCC is dedicated to teaching patients how to take care of their teeth at home. When available, the clinic is even able to provide electric toothbrushes to patients so they can continue to improve their dental hygiene routines. Bringing those tools back to the clinic with every appointment helps guide patients to success.
One inspiring example of the impact of CHCC's dental clinic is Abraham. When he first came to the clinic, he needed some TLC for his teeth and gums, including several extractions, fillings, and deep cleanings. To support his oral health journey, our team gifted him an electric toothbrush to help him maintain a healthier routine at home.
After six months of hard work and dedication, Abraham achieved a brand-new smile. His smile shone brightly, and he could hardly believe the transformation. Stories like Abraham's inspire and encourage other patients to visit our volunteer dentists and stay committed to healthy habits at home. With the right care and support, they too can experience the confidence that comes with a healthy smile.
The access to care and education would not be possible without the hard work of CHCC’s Dental Coordinator Bridget Roop, and the local dentists who volunteer time to come to the clinic and treat patients. In 2025, dentists volunteered more than 178 hours helping patients at CHCC. Every hour matters as the clinic sees a continued increase of patients every year. The help doesn’t stop there. During the spring semester, students from Illinois Central College dedicate time treating patients at CHCC, all while earning clinical experience and credits toward their degrees.
At Community Health Care Clinic, we aim to take care of our patients’ overall health. The clinic provides primary medical care, dental care, prescription medications, and mental health services to qualified patients. CHCC’s services are made possible by generous donations from the community and local organizations.
The patient featured has generously given permission and approved the sharing of their story.
The Community Health Care Clinic is located at 900 Franklin Avenue in Normal, Illinois. They are open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am-5:00pm (closed for lunch from 12:30-1:30pm). If you’d like to find out more, please visit them online at www.chcchealth.org.