Good oral health ensures that people can eat, talk and smile with ease. But across Alabama, fewer than 60% of adults see a dentist each year, according to 2022 data from the Centers for Disease Control.
We know that many of those people don’t have access to care or are unaware of their options.
Cahaba Valley Health Care (CVHC), a United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) partner agency, is on a mission to make dental care easily accessible to people in Jefferson and Shelby Counties. In those counties, CVHC provides completely free dental services — and vision care — to people in financial need. In fact, CVHC is the only agency in Central Alabama to do so.
CVHC has been located onsite at Cooper Green Mercy Health Services on Birmingham’s Southside since 2016, with a recent move to Cooper Green’s new building in 2024. Every Thursday, CVHC offers a clinic for Cooper Green patients who have received a referral from their primary care doctor.
Anyone who is not a Cooper Green patient can schedule an appointment by reaching out to Cahaba Valley Health Care through the contact information listed here. Bilingual staff speak both English and Spanish.
Several years ago, a patient named Sonovia came to CVHC by referral from her own doctor at Cooper Green. At the time, she had been dealing with health issues that left her teeth brittle. She had multiple cavities, and a number of her teeth were chipped.
Sonovia was in constant physical pain, and hurtful comments about her teeth had made her feel embarrassed. A mother of two, she knew she needed dental care, but she was without insurance or the money to pay for services outright.
At CVHC, Sonovia worked with Dr. Amy Swiney, one of two on-staff dentists. In just one session, Dr. Swiney was able to repair Sonovia’s chipped front tooth and fill her cavities.
From the moment Sonovia saw herself after the procedures, she regained her self-confidence, gazing at a completely restored smile. She said she’s grateful not only for the services but also for the emotional support provided by the staff.
“You can feel the love here,” she said.
And that’s a vital part of CVHC’s mission, said Jennifer Garrison, the organization’s Executive Director. “At CVHC, empathy isn’t just a value in our handbook — it’s the foundation of everything we do,” Garrison said. “Our dentists and staff are deeply committed to listening to each patient’s story, understanding their unique challenges and delivering care with compassion, respect and dignity.”
Each year, Cahaba Valley Health Care serves more than 3,400 patients. Garrison said they are able to provide service at that level only because of the support of UWCA.
“United Way’s investment allows us to provide vital dental services to people who would otherwise go without,” Garrison said. “Beyond funding, United Way helps us build stronger connections in the community, break down barriers to care and deliver compassionate care to those who need it most.”
For more information about how United Way partners and programs work in Community Health & Well-Being, click here.