“Agape is a Greek word meaning ‘unconditional love,’” explains Paul R. Hoffmann, the Executive Director at the Agape Clinic. This nonprofit provides healthcare with that same commitment– unconditionally– to underserved individuals in Dallas. In late September, Paul and his team took this mission a step further by opening a Dental Center, addressing a critical gap in accessible dental care for the community.
Agape Clinic is the only charity clinic in the DFW metroplex that offers holistic healthcare without prerequisites or restrictions. There are no zip code requirements, income verification, insurance filing requirements, or sliding fee scales.
Founded in 1983 in the basement of Grace United Methodist Church, Agape has expanded over the years from its initial focus on chronic disease management to offer pediatrics, behavioral health, women’s health, and now, dental services.
“To truly impact community health– especially for underserved and uninsured populations– you need comprehensive, integrated care,” says Paul. “These communities often have a wide range of healthcare needs.”
The decision to launch a dental center emerged from the urgent need for affordable dental services that Agape’s team observed. Paul recalls seeing patients who hadn’t been to a dentist in over 15 years due to cost constraints.
Dental health affects overall well-being, with poor oral health linked to various body conditions, making access to dental care crucial. Yet, dental services remain out of reach for many. Paul cites a U.S. Surgeon General study from twenty years ago, showing that people without dental coverage outnumbered those without medical insurance by two and a half times, highlighting the long-standing barrier to dental care.
“There’s almost no coverage for working-poor adults,” Paul says. “And yet, conditions like diabetes and heart disease are impacted by oral health. We shouldn’t separate dental health from overall health.”
Agape Dental offers critical services such as fillings and extractions, with plans to expand to more comprehensive procedures like crowns, partials, and dentures.
“These patients deserve what we’re offering,” Paul says. “They’re worthy; they’re doing the best they can. They just need a hand up.”
The center’s first client, John, was brought in by his caring adult sisters. John was diagnosed with bipolar disorder over 30 years ago and has spent much of his life facing homelessness, addiction, and incarceration. These challenges, combined with a lack of regular medical and dental care, had left John in urgent need of treatment. His sisters, who have been a vital support system in his life, brought him to Agape Clinic for the dental care he couldn’t otherwise access.
“We are so grateful for Agape Dental in taking care of John’s urgent and complicated dental issues while making him feel at ease,” says John’s sister, Rita Turner, in a letter to the Agape Center. “When Dr. Veasey first examined John, he found active infections and has since had to extract 15 teeth, all while working to save as many as possible. Agape is invaluable for the homeless, addicted, and disadvantaged. God bless you for all you do!”
Agape Clinic asks patients for a donation to help cover service expenses, but care is given regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Last year, the clinic received over $300,000 in client donations, with an average gift of $25.
“We encourage patients to be partners in their healthcare,” Paul says. In 2023, Agape provided $8.3 million in healthcare services, with every $1 donated magnified to $8 in medical impacts. The clinic served over 14,000 patients last year, with an expected 20,000 visits in 2024.
Beyond direct services, Paul sees the clinic’s partnerships as essential to its impact.
“We collaborate with Los Barrios Unidos to bring in a pediatrician and Texas A&M and UT Southwestern medical schools, who run student clinics with us weekly,” Paul says. “It’s important to educate future doctors about treating underserved populations, and partnerships like these help stretch resources to serve our community even better.”
Looking to the future, Paul’s goals for Agape Clinic include growth balanced with sustainability. The clinic’s priority is ensuring that services remain available to the community, even during economic hardship. His other goals are to continue lessening the stigma surrounding access to healthcare in underserved communities.
“Many of our patients work multiple jobs and still can’t afford routine dental care,” Paul explains. “There’s a stigma associated with dental neglect– people feel ashamed, and society often judges individuals by their teeth. Missing a front tooth, for example, can impact everything from self-esteem to job prospects.”
When asked about his motivations, Paul’s answer is clear and grounded in his faith: “I’ve been doing this work for over 45 years. For me, there’s a spiritual quality to it. There’s a scripture passage, Matthew 25:31-40. It’s about someone at the gates of heaven asking, ‘Why am I here?’ And the Lord says, ‘When I was hungry, you fed me; when I was in prison, you visited me; when I was sick, you took care of me.’ That’s why I’m doing this.”
Agape Dental’s opening was made possible by an Anonymous Foundation that donated equipment and operational support, along with funding from the David M. Crowley Foundation, Hillcrest Foundation, and Hoblitzelle Foundation.
To learn more about how you can support Agape Clinic’s mission, visit their website or consider making a donation. Every contribution helps Agape continue to offer unconditional care to those in need.
Sign up with your email address to receive good stories, events, and volunteer opportunities in your inbox.
