Augusta Regional Dental Clinic

The Augusta Regional Dental Clinic (ARDC) is a distinguished 501(c)3 non-profit organization located at 342 Mule Academy Rd, Fishersville, VA 22939. Established in 1993, the clinic originated from a community initiative to provide dignified healthcare to working individuals without health insurance, with a significant inspiration from the late pharmacist Percy Willson. Initially a broader medical clinic, the ARDC transitioned its focus in 2020 to exclusively address the critical need for dental care in the region. The ARDC's core mission is to offer low-cost, high-quality dental and oral hygienist services to low-income residents of Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County who face barriers to accessing dental care. They proudly serve patients of all ages, including those with Medicaid benefits or no dental insurance. For uninsured patients, a deeply discounted co-pay is offered based on income level, especially for those below 300% of the federal poverty level. A key differentiator for the ARDC is its commitment to inclusive dentistry. They are one of the first Centers for Inclusive Dentistry (CID) in Virginia, specializing in providing compassionate and personalized care for patients with special healthcare needs. This includes individuals living with or caring for someone with autism, Down syndrome, dementia, mobility challenges, sensory processing disorders, and other physical, developmental, or cognitive conditions. To ensure a comfortable experience, they provide a sensory-friendly environment with soft lighting, quiet spaces, and minimal wait times, along with trained and compassionate staff and full wheelchair accessibility. The clinic offers a wide range of general dentistry services, including routine exams and cleanings, emergency consultations, fillings, and extractions. They also provide some specialized services like root canals and crowns. The ARDC operates on an appointment-based system and does not offer 24-hour emergency services. The ARDC is supported by a dedicated team of dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, and administrative staff, some of whom are bilingual in English and Spanish. The clinic is also guided by a volunteer Board of Directors comprising diverse community representatives. They collaborate with various federal, national, regional, and local supporters, including the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, the Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, and Augusta Health. Recent renovations have expanded their facility to feature eight treatment rooms, allowing them to serve a greater number of patients annually and further address the high demand for affordable dental care in the community.