From the 2026 Fall Journal of the Colorado Dental Association
By Dental Lifeline Network
Through the Colorado Donated Dental Services (DDS) program, Dental Lifeline Network Colorado offers comprehensive dental treatment to people living with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile and cannot afford care.
Medically fragile patients need dental care to qualify for lifesaving or life-sustaining treatments, such as chemotherapy, cardiac surgery and organ transplants. Often medical treatments are covered by Medicare or Medicaid, but Medicare does not cover the dental treatment necessary for medical treatment.
Such was the case for Ron, 67, who lives in Colorado Springs with his wife and is currently undergoing cancer treatment. He was referred to Dental Lifeline Network Colorado’s DDS program by the oncology department at Memorial Hospital.
Ron was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in 2021, which devastatingly spread to his back, brain and bones. Before he was able to start chemo, Ron needed dental clearance, but his oral health had severely declined, leaving him in critical need of care.
Sadly, Ron was unable to afford the dental treatment he urgently needed. He and his wife survive on his short-term disability benefits and her part-time income. The couple have been struggling to make ends meet, while also trying to keep up with Ron’s cancer treatments.
DDS Volunteers Change lives
Thankfully, a team of DDS volunteers were able to help. Oral surgeon Dr. Rebecca Facy was able to extract Ron’s decaying teeth, and general dentist Dr. Christian Lovejoy along with a volunteer lab Budget Dental lab in Lakewood partnered to donate full upper and lower dentures. Thanks to this amazing team of volunteers, Ron received thousands of dollars in donated treatment that restored his dental health, allowing him to move forward with cancer treatment.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that the DDS program has done for me,” said Ron. “You have made my life more fulfilled. The cancer was hard, but what you have done for me made it much easier!”
The Importance of Donated Dental Care
Ron’s story demonstrates the importance of donated dental treatment and the necessity for volunteers in oral healthcare to help others. DDS volunteers in Colorado have given over $19 million in donated services, transforming the lives of over 13,000 people statewide.
Whether you are a volunteer, donor, partner or supporter, you can change lives with Dental Lifeline Network Colorado’s DDS program and become someone’s reason to smile again.
Visit DentalLifeline.org to see how you can get involved in the DDS program and change the lives of individuals in need of dental care.
