When Cayse Winkelman first came to Community Dental Clinic, he was in pain.
An abscess and significant tooth pain had created a dental emergency that needed immediate attention. But treating that emergency would become only the beginning of Cayse’s relationship with the clinic.
Over the next five years, Community Dental Clinic’s volunteer dental team provided comprehensive care to help restore his oral health and quality of life.
For Cayse, that care came during an already significant chapter in his life. He was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma in 2021 and is now in remission. As he moved forward, Community Dental Clinic was there to address another important part of his health.
Five Years of Care
Cayse’s treatment was not a single appointment or procedure.
Across 31 appointments, he received comprehensive examinations and X-rays, six extractions, 14 fillings, a root canal, three crowns, deep cleanings and ongoing periodontal care. His treatment also included preventive and at-home support such as fluoride varnish, prescription mouthwash, oral hygiene instruction, home care supplies and nutritional counseling.
Altogether, Community Dental Clinic provided Cayse with $22,242 in dental care.
Those numbers help demonstrate the extent of the care. But they only tell part of the story.
For the clinic’s team, the greater outcome was seeing what happened as Cayse’s oral health—and his smile—were restored.
“Seeing this patient’s transformation has been truly beautiful. After everything they endured while battling lymphoma, and now being in remission, watching them regain their smile is incredibly rewarding.”
Dr. Dan Salvatore, who shared that reflection for publication, described the impact as extending beyond someone’s teeth:
“It’s a reminder that restoring a smile can do so much more than improve someone’s teeth—it can help restore their confidence and bring back their joy.”
When Access to Dental Care Changes More Than Oral Health
Community Dental Clinic exists to provide compassionate, comprehensive dental services, education and access to care for uninsured, low-income adults in Pinellas County.
Cayse’s experience shows what that mission can look like over time.
An urgent dental problem brought him through the clinic’s doors. Continued access to care allowed the team to address much more—moving from an immediate need toward comprehensive treatment, preventive care and education.
It is the difference between responding to one painful moment and having the opportunity to improve someone’s oral health more fully.
Cayse summed up his experience simply:
“Thank goodness for this clinic and god bless the doctor.”
A Community Investment in Long-Term Care
Stories like Cayse’s also illustrate why long-term sustainability matters for organizations providing essential services.
Community Dental Clinic established the Community Dental Clinic Endowment Fund at Pinellas Community Foundation, creating a way for donors to invest in the organization’s future while the clinic continues serving patients today.
An endowment is built with a long-term horizon. Rather than supporting only one appointment, one patient or one year of programming, it can help create an enduring source of support for an organization and its mission.
For Community Dental Clinic, that long view complements work that can itself unfold over years.
Cayse’s journey lasted five years and 31 appointments. His story is a reminder that meaningful care does not always happen all at once—and that nonprofits need sustainable resources to continue being there when their community needs them.
Small Ways to Be Part of the Work
Supporting Community Dental Clinic does not have to begin with a major gift.
Throughout the year, the clinic needs donations of soft foods for patients recovering from extractions. Its annual Red, Whites, and Bites fundraiser is also scheduled to return in April 2027.
Each is an opportunity to support an organization working to make dental care accessible to adults in Pinellas County who might otherwise go without it.
Because behind the appointments, procedures and dollar amounts are people.
For Cayse, 31 appointments represented $22,242 in dental care. But the outcome Community Dental Clinic describes is more personal: restored oral health, a restored smile and the confidence and joy that can come with it.
That is an impact worth smiling about.
Learn more about Community Dental Clinic: Community Dental Clinic
Support its long-term mission: Community Dental Clinic Endowment Fund at Pinellas Community Foundation
