Heartland Outreach Providers, a 501c3 not for profit organization, started the HOPE Dental program in 2011 to provide for the oral health needs of children in Jackson County, Missouri who are on Medicaid, uninsured or underinsured. This program was needed to better ensure access to basic dental care which continues to be a need in the area. In order to effectively provide this service, a mobile dentistry service was established to examine and treat elementary school age children at their local school. This strategy has proven to be successful in overcoming barriers to access such as lack of transportation, time issues, language differences, and cost of basic dental care. HOPE Dental continues to partner with three Jackson County school districts to serve hundreds of children each year. The HOPE Dental program has added seniors to its dental care program through partnerships with several area senior living facilities. HOPE Dental is now also serving patients at various mental health facilities in Jackson County. To see a current listing of HOPE Dental partners, go to the partner page of this web site.
In 2015, a permanent clinic was established inside the Pointe of Hope Church in Blue Springs, MO to serve additional children and adults not seen at partner schools, senior citizen facilities and mental health partner locations.
