About Us

Why is the Community Free Dental Clinic Needed?
First and foremost, Medicaid does not cover any dental procedure for adults in the state of Alabama. This leaves low-income, vulnerable populations without the ability to have dental prevention, care or treatments completed.

According to the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau, Alabama is the 7th poorest state in America. The poverty level in Madison county is 13.6% of the population or about 45,000 people. This population is largely undereducated,  working paycheck to paycheck with no money left for the high-cost of dental care. They include elderly on fixed incomes in need of dentures, but unable to afford to have teeth pulled, veterans, and homeless adults. 

All our patients have broken, painful teeth and they can get infected gums or abscesses, which are life threatening. The bacteria can go to the heart and brain, and in some cases precipitate a heart attack or stroke. Our clinic has the ability to pull the damaged teeth and give antibiotics for infections at no cost to patients. 

Since the clinic opened in 2013,  we have treated over 8,600 people. We are changing lives and transforming the health of those unable to afford urgent dental care.

Who We Are:
The Community Free Dental Clinic (DBA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our funding comes from individuals, local businesses, grants, and churches. In addition to monetary donations we receive office supplies, tooth brushes, tooth paste, dental supplies and volunteer hours.

What We Do:
Our mission is to provide free quality dental care and education to low- income, uninsured adult residents of Madison County.

This mission is accomplished by licensed volunteer dentists, licensed nurses, chairside assistant, and office staff. Our dentists and nurses evaluate and help educate the patients in their care,  chairside assistants help the dentists, and office staff registers patients and make appointments.

We only do extractions with a limited number of cleanings and fillings. Patients must call for an appointment. We do not take walk-ins.

Our Board

Eugenia Graves

Eugenia Graves BS, RN, retired after 30 years at Huntsville Hospital and 20 years as a Faith Community Nurse at First Baptist Church. Along with several other community-minded individuals, Eugenia helped found the Community Free Dental Clinic for the underserved in Madison County. 

Lou Durnya

Lou Durnya, Esq. is a retired NASA attorney and a retired Army Judge Advocate Colonel. He has served on boards of directors of several leadership positions for the Church of and the North Alabama Chapter of the Federal Bar Association. He  has always been interested in serving.

Elaine Hamner

After retiring from NASA/MSFC Office of Procurement and family-owned Green Mountain Soap Company, Elaine wanted a way to giveback. The mission of the Community Free Dental Clinic appealed to her, and she now shares her talents and time as a board member.