A Beacon of Hope for Healthy Smiles

Since 1972, CommuniCare has been a beacon of hope in San Antonio, providing comprehensive health services to low-income individuals throughout south-central Texas. And what makes this organization special?
It is a one-stop shop, providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services all under the clinic’s umbrella. Services at CommuniCare’s multiple campuses include pediatrics, family medicine, women’s health, OBGYN care, behavioral health, dental care, senior care, and other specialized care. The dental program was born from necessity to address the dire need for affordable dental services for San Antonio’s communities.

From exams and cleanings to sealants and fillings, extractions and stainless steel crowns, or fixed and removable prosthodontics to root canals, pulpotomies, nitrous oxide, and conscious sedation – CommuniCare delivers it all. The clinic’s robust pediatric dental program emphasizes early intervention, education, and prevention. The goal is to prevent the decay and periodontal diseases that the care team witnesses in their adult patients. By educating parents and pediatric patients alike, CommuniCare aims to break generational cycles of poor oral health that plague impoverished families.

The work of this rockstar organization doesn’t stop at clinical care. They understand that health goes beyond the dental chair. On top of high-quality care, the team focuses on social determinants of health for their patients – do they have safe housing and transportation? Do they have access to education, to nutritious foods? Is their air or water polluted? Are they facing violence or discrimination?

Social factors contribute to wide health disparities and inequities. CommuniCare recognizes the whole person, not just their teeth.

Staff take action for their patients, sharing supportive community resources that can help meet their needs. CommuniCare’s Outreach Coordinators collaborate with local San Antonio organizations like food banks, churches, and social services groups to better connect with community members in need of support.

CommuniCare serves a large Hispanic population and the organization’s commitment to cultural competency shines through their numerous bilingual staff members who facilitate communication in English and Spanish. For patients speaking other languages, they provide translation services at no cost because every question deserves an answer, and every family deserves to understand their care.

More than half of individuals in CommuniCare’s service area live 200% below the federal poverty line. When families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table, dental care can understandably slide down the priority list. CommuniCare gets it. They implement a sliding fee scale so community members can access needed care without additional financial distress.

One of the main barriers to dental care nationwide is transportation. A family may not have a car of their own or other reliable transportation options. In south-central Texas, it is not an exaggeration to say that thousands of families don’t have a vehicle. CommuniCare thought of that, too. Both West Campus and East Campus facilities are strategically located on bus lines for better access. Geography shouldn’t determine whether a child gets the dental care they need. 

Patient Stories

Real Impact, Real People

CommuniCare’s positive impact reaches beyond what numbers can capture. When a refugee family with three children arrived in San Antonio, they faced the overwhelming challenge of acclimating to a brand-new culture while navigating their children’s health needs. The parents were understandably anxious about healthcare costs and unfamiliar with how to access services. CommuniCare welcomed them with open arms.

The clinic provided comprehensive care for all three children while keeping costs manageable for the family during this transition period. Specialized pediatric providers ensured each child had a positive, fear-free experience that would encourage them to return for continued care.

Thanks to committed supporters like you, families like this one can focus on building their new lives instead of worrying about dental bills. Children get the care they need to be healthy today while developing positive associations with dental care that will serve them for life.

One grant. One clinic. One family at a time. That’s how you help create lasting change.

I’ve had a blast in the heart of Texas. I’m struck by CommuniCare’s holistic approach to health and community, and in awe of the profound impact this organization has on its community. When we help a child in San Antonio achieve a healthy smile, we’re not just treating dental disease. We’re giving kids the chance to be their healthiest selves, do awesome in school, feel confident in their own skin, and go after dreams as bold and bright as the Texas sun. CommuniCare and the AAPD Foundation can’t do it without you.

This is about more than dental treatment; it’s about building trust, providing dignity, and showing families that they matter in their new home.