The Fauquier Free Clinic will once again offer free dental services to adults in need through its annual Piedmont Smiles event, scheduled for Oct. 18 at Liberty High School in Bealeton.
Now in its fourth year, Piedmont Smiles is designed to serve residents across Fauquier, Rappahannock, Culpeper, Orange and Madison counties who face financial or access-related barriers to dental care. The event is expected to draw hundreds of volunteers and patients for a full day of high-quality, no-cost dental treatment.
Dental insurance remains out of reach for many area families, and when financial hardship strikes, dental care is often the first expense to go, organizers said. The result is often prolonged pain that affects daily life.
“That’s why the Fauquier Free Clinic and its supporting partners stepped in,” organizers said in a media release.
The event is organized in partnership with the Mission of Mercy, or MOM, dental project. The high school gymnasium is transformed into a full-scale dental clinic, complete with 36 dental chairs, mobile X-ray stations, triage areas, temporary plumbing and air and water lines.
Hundreds of volunteers—including dental professionals, translators, general volunteers and faculty and students from the VCU School of Dentistry and Howard University—come together for the event.
“This isn’t just about fixing teeth,” said a member of the clinic team. “It’s about showing up for people who’ve had to go without—removing pain, restoring confidence and reminding our neighbors they’re not forgotten.”
In a single day, patients may receive cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals and oral health education. Organizers noted that many patients have not seen a dentist in decades and arrive in significant pain. Many leave smiling.
Since its inception, Piedmont Smiles has served more than 700 people, according to the media release. Organizers hope to reach even more this year. Bilingual volunteers and providers will be on-site to help ensure that language is never a barrier to care.
“Every effort is made to meet people where they are—with dignity, empathy and respect,” the release stated.
More information about the event is available at piedmontsmiles.org.
