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United We Smile Closure FAQ
Q: When and why was the United We Smile dental clinic closed?
A: United Way of Northwest Michigan made the difficult decision to close our United We Smile dental clinic on January 2, 2026 due to staffing and other capacity constraints. Operating a safety-net dental clinic with the mission of providing low or no cost care is financially challenging due to the associated costs and low Medicaid reimbursement rates. The current environment of rising costs and uncertainty surrounding ongoing funding levels for programs like Medicaid create additional pressures in sustaining programs like United We Smile.
Q: Did United Way of Northwest Michigan provide funding for United We Smile?
A: Yes. United Way of Northwest Michigan has directly provided a total of nearly $1 million dollars to support the operations of United We Smile since the clinic launched in 2023.
Q: Did United Way of Northwest Michigan receive $2.9 million dollars in state funds for their United We Smile dental clinic?
A: While a $2.9 million dollar appropriation was included in the State of Michigan Fiscal Year 2026 budget for United Way of Northwest Michigan, specifically for the purpose of purchasing the building that houses the United We Smile dental clinic and United Way of Northwest Michigan offices, that state appropriation is still in process and none of those funds have been distributed to United Way of Northwest Michigan.
United Way of Northwest Michigan is currently collaborating with our state representative and other community partners to explore alternatives that may allow for the transition and utilization of this community-based dental program and clinic so these much-needed dental services can continue to be provided to underserved populations in our region going forward. More information will be shared as it is available.
Q: Does United Way of Northwest Michigan own United We Smile and when was United We Smile established?
A: United Way of Northwest Michigan founded and established United We Smile as an affiliated nonprofit membership corporation in March 2023 and United Way of Northwest Michigan is the sole member of United We Smile. United Way of Northwest Michigan officially opened United We Smile in September 2023 as a safety-net dental clinic focused on serving children, veterans, and those with disabilities who face financial and other barriers to accessing oral health care. United We Smile provided over $2.5 million dollars in dental care to over 2,200 patients in need during the two and half years the clinic was open.
Q: Did United We Smile have a separate governing board from United Way of Northwest Michigan?
A: As an affiliated sole member nonprofit organization, United We Smile had a three-person all-volunteer board and the United We Smile board president also served on the all-volunteer United Way of Northwest Michigan board. In June 2025, the members of both boards voted unanimously to combine the two boards for greater governing efficiency.
Q: What are you doing to help United We Smile patients find alternative dental care?
A: Patient notification letters have been sent to all United We Smile patients that provides information on other dental care providers in our area as well as instructions on how to transfer their dental records from United We Smile. More information can be found at: https://uwsmile.org/
Q: How is the transition of care for veteran patients who were receiving treatment at United We Smile through the University of Michigan School of Dentistry’s Victors for Veterans (V4V) program being assisted?
A: United Way of Northwest Michigan is actively working in collaboration with the University of Michigan School of Dentistry (UMSD) to coordinate the completion of treatment plans for all V4V patients who were in the process of their V4V treatment. All these patients have been contacted directly by the UMSD with information on how to complete their treatment with a local dental provider and those appointments are currently being scheduled. Any dental devices related to their treatment are being transferred to their new dental provider as soon as these patients provide their signed release form authorizing the transfer of their records and materials.
Q: Will the V4V veterans program continue to be available in northwest Michigan?
A: UMSD has temporarily paused the V4V program in northwest Michigan. However, UMSD hopes to begin offering this program again in this region. Their goal is to return the V4V program to the northwest Michigan region in the Spring of 2026.
Q: Are there other dental providers that accept Medicaid or Healthy Kids Dental in the area?
A: Yes, like United We Smile, other local providers also accept Medicaid and Healthy Kids Dental, including Northwest Michigan Health Services and Dental Clinics North. Parents can find a provider by visiting: https://search.providers4you.com/hkd