Resources

Most dental professionals entered this field to help people. Volunteering at Local Start Dental puts your skills directly in service of patients who have no other option. Here's how assistants, hygienists, GPs, and specialists can get involved.

Dental care in North Carolina depends on where you live and how much you earn. 98 of 100 NC counties are dental shortage areas. Here's the scale of the problem and why nonprofit dental care is essential to closing the gap.

When you donate to Local Start Dental, the money doesn't sit in an operating fund. It becomes a procedure, a denture fitted, an implant placed. Here's how a nonprofit dental clinic turns every dollar into care for patients across North Carolina.

Four years ago, Local Start Dental opened a single clinic in Durham. Today, we've delivered $15.8 million in donated dentistry to 3,570 patients across 78 of North Carolina's 100 counties. Here's how a single clinic became a statewide institution.

Local Start Dental celebrates a major milestone: expanding services to include general dentistry alongside tooth replacement. With 3,458 patients served and $14.8 million in donated care since 2021, we're transforming lives across North Carolina. In 2025 alone, we've provided $3.97 million in services through our unique training model that educates dentists while delivering exceptional care.

In just three years, Local Start Dental transformed from a single Durham clinic into a statewide network serving 60 North Carolina counties. Our impact goes beyond dental care—we're restoring confidence, improving lives, and building healthier communities. Patient surveys reveal remarkable outcomes: tripled social confidence, better job satisfaction, and improved nutrition. Every smile we restore represents a story of renewed hope and dignity across North Carolina.