05/08/2026
We are proud to share that HealthLink Dental Clinic has been featured in the national ALICE Stories project, “Paying the Price: When Dental Care is a Luxury.”
This powerful story takes readers inside a day at HealthLink and highlights the realities faced by hardworking adults who are forced to delay dental care because of cost.
The feature shines a light on the incredible resilience of our patients, the compassion of our volunteers and staff, and the urgent need for accessible oral health care in our community.
For 25 years, HealthLink has worked to ensure that uninsured adults and veterans in Bucks and Montgomery Counties have access to the dental care they deserve — because oral health is essential health care.
📖 Read the full story here:
https://alicestories.org/dental-divide/
“It was pain every day."
In the 15 years he worked as a manager, Guillermo said he never missed a day of work. Six months into a new job in the food industry, he'd already missed two. Recently, the dental pain he had been experiencing on and off for more than a year became unbearable.
Lost hours mean lost wages for his family, so the 33-year-old put some money together and found a place he thought he could afford. He was only able to cover the $50 X-ray. Relieving the pain came with a $5,200 price tag. “It was out of my reach,” he said. While he had saved more than $50, that money went to an unexpected repair on his family's only car.
Following his new patient exam at HealthLink Dental Clinic, a free clinic in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, Guillermo had a clear plan for next steps. First, he would need all his wisdom teeth removed.
As HealthLink doesn’t perform that procedure, he was referred to an oral surgeon who offers pro bono care. It might be the source of his pain; one wisdom tooth is broken with an exposed root tip. Once he heals from that procedure, HealthLink will tackle other concerns.
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For many ALICE families, dental care is a luxury. At HealthLink, we saw firsthand the frustration of patients like Guillermo who have lacked access to regular oral health care, as well as the commitment of the community members who are stepping up with real solutions. Click the link in the comments for our new photo essay, "Paying the Price: When Dental Care is a Luxury," and uncover the stories behind the data.