Dental College of Georgia Marks One Year of Free Care for Homeless Population

The Dental College of Georgia finished its first year working with Project Refresh in February 2026. Hundreds of people without homes in Augusta got free dental checkups and learned about oral health. The monthly event happens at May Park, run by the Augusta-Richmond County Health Department. Participants can shower, eat hot meals, pick up clothes, and see medical staff.

Last year, about 500 came each month. Today, at least 1,500 come. Community Outreach Coordinator Steve Huston tracks the numbers. Augusta Transit buses bring participants from different spots around town, which solves the big problem of getting there.

"We committed to showing up monthly for as long as we can," said Ketarya Hunt-Bass, Director of Community Outreach Programs at DCG, per Augusta University. "Consistency matters, especially for the people we serve."

Hunt-Bass saw a local news story about Project Refresh years back, and that's how this started. Her team wanted to help more people understand oral health. They joined local outreach with money from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Students and teachers from the dental school volunteer each month, joined by learners from Augusta University's Medical College of Georgia and public health programs. DMD students and dental hygiene students do the screenings.

"This partnership has been incredibly valuable," said Greg Griffin, DMD, associate dean for Student Affairs at DCG. "Our students get the chance to serve right here in the DCG and CSRA community, and for those who've gone multiple times, you start to recognize familiar faces."

Project Refresh, Inc. believes everyone deserves a clean shower. That's a basic human right. The nonprofit links individuals with resources that improve physical health, mental well-being, and ways out of homelessness.