Access to affordable dental and vision care remains a significant barrier for many uninsured and underinsured families across Oregon. Through the EyeSmile Outreach Program, Pacific University is helping close that gap by delivering essential care directly to the communities that need it most.
EyeSmile is a mobile health care initiative uniting Pacific University’s School of Dental Hygiene Studies and College of Optometry into one coordinated outreach effort. EyeSmile events are delivered through two mobile units — a vision van and a dental van — each supported by its own dedicated students and clinical staffing.
By hosting dental hygiene services and comprehensive eye exams at the same date and location, the program reduces logistical and financial barriers for low-income and uninsured communities, including those with limited English proficiency, migrant workers and their families. These clinics also serve as hands-on training sites, forming part of students’ clinical and public health rotations in Pacific University’s optometry and dental hygiene academic programs.
At the heart of the program are EyeSmile’s mobile clinics — designed to meet people where they are. Together, the vans travel to Head Start centers, schools, churches, and community sites throughout Oregon and Washington, serving all children, adults and families who might otherwise go without preventative oral and vision care.
In addition to providing services, EyeSmile emphasizes education and connection to ongoing care. On the dental van, patients receive preventive oral health education and guidance on daily habits that support long-term dental wellness. For individuals who need urgent dental treatment beyond the scope of the event, the team supports a referral process to help them access timely follow-up care.
On the vision van, patients receive comprehensive screenings and, when needed, a free prescription and eyeglasses at no cost. Patients who need them can leave their appointment with reading glasses available on-site, while prescription glasses are coordinated and personally delivered through the scheduling promotora. The vision team also provides referrals for individuals who need more in-depth or specialized eye care.
Providence’s annual $85,000 community benefit investment plays a critical role in sustaining and strengthening these outreach efforts. Providence-funded EyeSmile clinics specifically serve the Latinx community, helping ensure coordinated dental and vision services are available in a single visit — an approach that saves time for families, improves follow-up care and maximizes the impact of each outreach event.
With this funding, EyeSmile is better positioned to expand its reach, support mobile clinic operations, and maintain the staffing and equipment needed to deliver high-quality, preventative care in community settings. The result is earlier detection of oral and vision health concerns, improved long-term health outcomes, and stronger connections between healthcare providers and the communities they serve.
By supporting programs like EyeSmile, Providence advances its commitment to health equity—investing in solutions that remove barriers to care and bring essential services directly to underserved populations. Together with Pacific University, Providence is helping ensure that more families across the region can access healthy smiles, clear vision, and a stronger foundation for overall wellness.
