Brighter Way Institute – July 2024

Many of us don’t stop to consider how essential dental health is to our overall wellbeing and quality of life. Yet, if left untreated, dental disease and infection can lead to so many other health issues, no matter your age, income, or health history. For vulnerable families in our community, quality dental care is sadly considered a luxury rather than a necessity and is often one of the first things to go when finances get tight. 

Brighter Way Institute is a one-of-a-kind, Arizona-based nonprofit dedicated to changing the game in dental care for underserved folks in our community by meeting their comprehensive oral health care needs at low- to no-cost. Their clients include people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and uninsured or underinsured children, adults, and families. I’m proud to highlight our continued support of Brighter Way through The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, which will provide the organization with flexible funding to serve 1,300 additional patients with 10,000+ oral health services over the next two years. 

Our relationship with Brighter Way began back in 2014 with support for the renovation and operations if its children-focused dental clinic in the Murphy neighborhood of South Phoenix. To this day, The Bob & Renee Parsons Center for Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics serves children who are not eligible for Medicaid at no cost, along with those who only have Arizona’s state Medicaid coverage. Along with the Parsons Pediatric Clinic in Murphy, Brighter Way operates The Diane & Bruce Halle Brighter Way Dental Center located at Key Campus (formerly Human Services Campus) and a mobile dental clinic called “Tooth Bus” that visits Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley branches along with other organizations that serve marginalized youth, such as one•n•ten.  

It has been such a pleasure to see Brighter Way grow over the years and touch the lives of so many in need of their services. Because of their work, more Arizonans have a place to go to begin their dental health journey, maintain that health, and even access more complicated care that would otherwise be cost prohibitive. Beyond physical health, a smile is a person’s confidence, their first impression, and their expression of joy – how can one really put a price on that?