About
The Dental Lifeline Network (DLN) is a transformative national nonprofit organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to providing comprehensive dental care and oral health services to individuals who cannot afford treatment and lack access to the dental care system due to disability, advanced age, or chronic illness. Founded on a powerful ethos of volunteerism and compassionate care, DLN operates not as a traditional dental clinic but as a sophisticated, nationwide network facilitator that connects vulnerable patients with a vast pool of volunteer dentists and dental laboratories. Its history dates back to 1974, when it was established as the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped, reflecting its original mission to serve people with disabilities. Over the decades, the organization evolved, expanding its scope and changing its name to Dental Lifeline Network to better represent its broadened commitment to a wider array of underserved populations, including seniors and those who are medically fragile. The core mission of DLN is unequivocal: 'To improve the oral health of people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile and have no other way to get help.' This mission is brought to life primarily through its flagship program, Donated Dental Services (DDS), a meticulously coordinated system that leverages the goodwill of over 15,000 volunteer dentists and 3,700 volunteer dental laboratories across the United States. What truly sets DLN apart is its unique model and scale. Unlike local free clinics that provide care at a single location, DLN’s program is a decentralized network that integrates into the existing private practice ecosystem. Patients receive care in the volunteer dentist’s own office, ensuring access to a full range of treatments in a conventional, well-equipped setting. This model allows for the treatment of complex, multi-procedure cases that often require specialized expertise and follow-up care over an extended period—needs that are difficult to meet in a one-day clinic setting. The organization’s expertise lies not in clinical practice but in program administration, patient screening, case management, and fostering a culture of philanthropy within the dental profession. DLN’s staff expertly handles the intricate logistics of matching patients with appropriate volunteer professionals, managing referrals, and ensuring that treatments are completed, thereby removing the significant administrative and financial barriers that typically prevent this population from receiving care. The unique value proposition of DLN is threefold: For patients, it offers a lifeline to comprehensive, dignified dental care that restores function, alleviates pain, and dramatically improves quality of life. For volunteer dentists and labs, it provides a structured, manageable, and impactful avenue for pro bono service, where they can donate their specific skills within their own practice environment. For society and the healthcare system, DLN addresses a critical gap, helping to reduce emergency room visits for dental pain and improving the overall health outcomes for some of the nation’s most vulnerable citizens. The organization’s impact is staggering, having facilitated over $550 million in donated dental services to more than 160,000 people since its inception. Operating from its Denver headquarters, DLN serves as the national hub, with a presence in all 50 states through a network of staff and state-based programs. Its success is a testament to its visionary model, unwavering commitment, and the profound generosity of the dental community it mobilizes. In a landscape of healthcare disparities, Dental Lifeline Network stands apart as a uniquely scalable, sustainable, and profoundly humane solution to the crisis of access to dental care.
Additional Details
Specialization:
Nonprofit coordination of donated comprehensive dental care for underserved populations including older adults, and individuals with disabilities or who are medically fragile.
Years of Experience:
50
Education & Certifications:
As a nonprofit organization, it does not hold clinical licenses. The organization itself is a 501(c)(3) charitable entity. Its leadership and staff hold relevant degrees and certifications in nonprofit management, public health, social work, and healthcare administration.
Professional Memberships:
Affiliated with the American Dental Association (ADA), state dental associations, and other oral health advocacy groups. It is a member of the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) and collaborates with organizations like the American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA).
Awards & Recognitions:
Numerous awards including the American Dental Association's President's Award for Excellence, the Colorado Dental Association's Community Dentistry Award, the Alfred C. Fones Award from the American Dental Hygienists' Association, and consistent top ratings from charity navigators like Charity Navigator and GuideStar (Platinum Seal of Transparency).
Pricing & Insurance:
All services through the Donated Dental Services program are provided at no cost to eligible patients. The organization does not charge for its coordination services. Funding is provided through grants, donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and support from state and local governments. Patients are not billed, and no insurance is required or billed for the donated care.
Customer Reviews
Idk about waiting lists and all that- I live in South Carolina and applied. Vivian Lovingood emailed me RIGHT BACK. She is very helpful and responsive. Helped me find somewhere to go here so that I can get all the needed paperwork and get on the waiting list. Just nice to know there's still people out there that want to help people and most importantly, do their job. Thanks Vivian Lovingood of South Carolina- DLN!
I am truly grateful for this organization. I could not afford to get my teeth fixed . I am on a fixed income , retired and dental insurance was to expensive for me to afford and most of them you had to pay for at least a year before they would pay any for any major dental work . I have some teeth that needed to be pulled and I thought I needed dentures, I contacted donated dental services of utah , put in an application and was told their might be a wait. But within about 2 weeks I was contacted , scheduled an appointment with a great dentist and had all my teeth fixed. The dentist only had to pull 2 of my teeth the rest he fixed so I just have bridges which is great. My health has improved greatly because i can eat and swallow . The Dentist and the staff were fantastic, they accommodated me in any way I needed. I sent some before and after pictures and I also wrote some thank you note to the doctors and their staff. I really appreciate the opportunity of working with the service .
Don’t waste you time if you’ve had any previous work done they will just call you be rude and insult you. Especially if you happen to be LGBTQ. I tried to work with Lindsay Harold in Tennessee I’m in hospice but all she could do was point out all the work my spouse went into debt to have done. She called and my spouse got so upset he just told her to forget it cause she was being so dramatic about everything. I wanted help but not at the expense of my spouse being chronically upset.
I so wish I could give this organization five stars. But when comparing treatment with my friends in other states, I feel misunderstood by Diane, Co Lifeline Dental employee.
After a horrible accident and several medical conditions that left my teeth in bad shape, I became a patient. I have five cavities, 4 crowns that need replaced that never were done. I’m grateful for the oral surgery done on my upper left teeth but then they just dumped me. I went to all my appointments, was gracious to Dentist, and stayed in contact with Diane. I tried on several occasions to tell her my teeth still needed work but she treated me like I was ungrateful and dismissed me.
Compared to other state’s Lifeline Dental, my friends who were patients, got a complete teeth health package, were treated with respect and our now health.
I can’t afford to get new crowns or fill my cavities. So in the long wrong I will lose most, if not all my teeth. Lifelong dental is suppose to help disabled people with their oral health.
Being a patient of Diane, was a horrible experience and I was medically abandoned!
They contacted me a year ago with my approval. Was told they would contact me with the clinic in my area within the next 60 days. So I've been emailing them every few months for a year, I could've been looking for a real organization in this time, instead of being led on and having another year wasted. This charity clearly exists to be listed on some billionaires portfolio, its not even functional.
