Uninsured Patients Left in Limbo as Dental Clinic Shuts Its Doors

The Situation at Hand

• After 60 years of dedicated service to uninsured patients in St. Paul, the Hope Dental Clinic has sadly shut its doors this month.

• This unique clinic has become a beacon of hope for thousands in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa, relying heavily on a remarkable team of volunteers for 95% of its staffing. Despite this, the clinic faces an uphill battle, costing nearly $100,000 monthly just to keep running.

• With a staggering 25% of Minnesotans lacking dental insurance, Hope’s closure could be permanent by the end of 2024 unless a miracle donation or innovative funding solution appears on the horizon.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – In the heart of St. Paul, a longstanding dental clinic, which has served as a lifeline for uninsured patients, is facing a desperate situation.

A Critical Need

Key Insight: About one in four Minnesotans find themselves without dental insurance, and with Medicare offering no coverage for dental work, countless individuals—especially those older or on lower incomes—are caught in a bind. Many are left to either pay out of pocket or turn to clinics like Hope Dental Clinic for assistance.

At Hope, the dedicated dentists are pulling together to provide essential care for those who have nowhere else to turn.

“We do what needs to be done,” shared Dr. Christine Hermanson.

Last year alone, nearly 2,800 patients sought help at Hope, traveling from all corners of Minnesota and beyond, none of them possessing dental insurance.

For patients like Mary, Hope has been nothing short of life-changing.

“Definitely a game changer,” says the 60-year-old from Eagan.

A True Game Changer

Local Insight: Mary faced serious health issues due to dental problems during years without treatment.

Thanks to her daughter discovering Hope, Mary was able to regain her health and show off her smile in wedding photos.

“I would have smiled like this,” she said, closing her mouth tightly, then opening it confidently to express her thoughts. “Instead, I smiled like this.”

For six decades, the clinic has been a pillar in St. Paul, with its most recent location serving the community for the past six years.

The End in Sight?

What’s Happening: The message from the clinic has taken a somber turn.

“Hope Dental Clinic has closed permanently,” echoed through the voicemail system just last Thursday.

Over 450 volunteers have dedicated their time to keeping Hope alive, but the reality is stark: it costs nearly $100,000 a month to keep the lights on.

“We’ve heard time and again that our community doesn’t want us to close,” said Linda Maytan, chair of the Hope Dental Clinic board. “But good intentions can’t pay the rent. We’re just hoping for a last-minute miracle.”

Just two weeks ago, they had to lay off their staff and lock the doors.

“We have patients still in the midst of treatment,” lamented Dr. Natalie Gomez. “It’s truly heartbreaking.”

Still Standing Strong

Why This Matters: Even as the doors are closed, Drs. Hermanson and Gomez have continued to provide care, pulling a rotting tooth from a patient, proving their commitment goes beyond mere duty.

Mary was there for the same reason.

“We’re here today,” she affirmed. “I hope I won’t be the last patient to walk through these doors.”

The board is open to all ideas for funding and keeping Hope afloat, but if nothing changes, hope will flicker out by the year’s end.