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Digital Denture Lab Brings Free Dentures to Communities
In 2024, Remote Area Medical — RAM ® — partnered with Haleon and Walmart to bring the Mobile Digital Denture Lab to Walmart parking lots across the country. Bringing access to free dentures closer to those who need them.
Free dentures near me
For RAM Patient Jessika, this clinic was exactly what she needed but did not expect to get — especially not for free. She was pleasantly surprised when leaving the Walmart parking lot she saw a sign advertising ‘Free Dentures.’
“Actually, I was at Walmart and leaving the parking lot,” Jessika said. “I was wondering what the giant RV was doing there. Then I saw the word ‘Dentures,’ and I drove right over.” I was kind of like — in awe that it was actually a thing.”
As the first person to enter the clinic, Jessika saw first-hand the impact that RAM makes at denture clinics. Volunteers invited her into the lab, told her about RAM’s mission, and began the process of making custom dentures. She shared her experience of the kindness shown by the clinic’s volunteers and staff
“[I was] in awe that it was a thing and people — out of the kindness of their hearts — were helping other people. It was amazing,” Jessika said.
Jessika’s Story: How Free Dentures Changed Her Life
Jessika had been dealing with broken, uncomfortable dentures for months. When she arrived at the clinic, superglue was the only thing holding them together. She was able to leave the clinic that day with a brand-new pair of dentures as well as her original dentures, now repaired properly.
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“I honestly had no idea what they were doing there,” Jessika said. “It was just a really nice RV, and I saw the word ‘Dentures’. I thought, ‘That’s what I want to know more about.’ It felt like a Godsend. It was really strange how it happened because I was dealing with my teeth. They were broken right down the middle and superglued together, which was very uncomfortable.”
The Importance of Affordable Denture Care
Without the RAM Mobile Digital Denture Lab, replacing her dentures would have been a long and costly process. It could have taken weeks or longer and cost hundreds of dollars. She would have had to call to schedule an appointment. Then drive over half an hour to see the dentist and wait several days for her new dentures to arrive.
“. . . I got these the same day. And — I am so grateful,” Jessika said.
From examination, to impression, to a new pair of free 3D printed, quality dentures — the Mobile Digital Denture Lab allows RAM Volunteers to make custom, 3D printed dentures in just a few hours. This allows patients to leave the clinic with the dentures on the same day. In its first year of operation, the Mobile Digital Denture Lab has brought dentures to dozens of patients across the country.
Along with the required time and travel, cost is another factor that makes it difficult for many patients to get a new pair of dentures. The cost of the appointment and the cost of the dentures can prevent many people from getting the dentures they need.
The Cost Barrier of Dentures
Without insurance an average cost for a complete set of dentures, including routine post-delivery care, is $5848, according to the 2023 National Dental Advisory Service Comprehensive Fee Report. This cost may be higher depending on materials and type of dentures needed. This does not include costs for the other necessary dental appointments, including dental x-rays, tissue conditioning, denture adjustments, and denture relining.
Roughly 27% of Americans do not have dental insurance (CareQuest Insitute). With such a high cost, dentures are inaccessible for many. If a pair is lost or damaged, the patient might have to go without dentures. RAM breaks down this barrier to care, bringing free dentures directly to those who need it most.
Getting a new set of dentures for free helped Jessika not only to feel more confident in her smile but also allowed her to eat again, without any pain.
“. . . I read the whole entire magazine that the lady gave me, and you guys do so much for people, and I seriously would tell everyone I know — and I did, I actually did,” Jessika said. “After they took all the imprints and everything, I was like, ‘Yeah so, they got this RV at Walmart right now and they are fixing broken dentures.’”
What is RAM’s Mobile Digital Denture Lab?
Do you want a sneak peek in the Mobile Digital Denture Lab? Watch our short YouTube video here to see inside!
Donate to Help RAM Provide Free Dental Care
If you would like to donate to help RAM continue serving patients like Jessika, please visit https://www.ramusa.org/donate/
